In the gentle satoyama landscape of Ashino, an area that embodies Japan’s original rural scenery, lies the Nasu Ashino Stone Museum.
Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, this museum was once a rice storehouse. It has been beautifully reborn as a space that showcases the quiet strength and warmth of Ashino stone, a material deeply rooted in the region’s history.
At the heart of this transformation is a Nasu local, Katsunori Shirai. He is the third-generation owner of Shirai Sekizai, a local stoneworks company.
Shirai’s family business has long quarried and shaped stone in Ashino, bringing the warmth of stone into people’s daily lives. Ashino stone itself is a celebrated material, combining a soft texture with a dignified presence. As a result, it has long been used in the region’s architecture and gardens.
However, Shirai and his father saw beyond simply selling stone: they discovered a new value of “enriching the community through stone.” He and his father were driven by a specific wish. They wanted to “create something exceeding what customers were looking for, to help support their customer’s way of life.” With this vision, Shirai began to imagine something greater.
He started with an abandoned stone warehouse. From there, he breathed new life into the building. He transformed it into a place where architects, artists, and musicians could gather.
Today, it is beloved by many as a “one-of-a-kind place” where stone and light interact in harmony. For example, it serves as a venue for diverse activities like exhibitions, concerts, photoshoots, and cafe events.
Shirai shares his hope with quiet conviction: “By cherishing the nature and culture of this town, I want to help create a community where both young and old can live energetically.”
Ultimately, his dream is to pass on the beauty of Nasu to future generations. He wants to build a town where families live happily and the community thrives.
Therefore, when you visit Nasu, be sure to stop by the Nasu Ashino Stone Museum. In this space, stone speaks and light dances, intertwining Shirai’s vision with Nasu’s history. You too will surely feel the warmth and quiet strength of the stones that have shaped this land.
2717-5 Ashino Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture
0287-74-0228
This museum, which combines local history and technology with modern design, has won an international architectural award for its design and its challenge to explore the possibilities of stone.
You can enjoy the architecture, relax with a drink purchased from the museum cafe, or enjoy exhibitions and events.
