The eight movable galleries that sit within the water basin were conceived by Shigeru Ban with inspiration from the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Incorporating Hiroshima’s shipbuilding technology, this unique architectural design allows the galleries to be moved by floating them on the water. The walls of the exhibition hall are rearranged for each exhibition.

Go outside the exhibition building and climb a gentle slope to see a view of the sea. The beauty of the many islands of the Seto Inland Sea, such as Miyajima, Atatajima, and Etajima, stretch out before your eyes. Here you can enjoy scenery that harmonizes the architecture of SIMOSE, including movable exhibition rooms in eight colors lining a basin of water, and nature.

Emile Gallé, a craftsman who represented Art Nouveau, not only produced works with motifs of nature, but also worked as a botanist. This garden was planted in harmony with the climate of Setouchi, centering on flowers which appear in Gallé’s works of art.

A café with a view of the peaceful Seto Inland Sea. You can enjoy desser ts made with fruit from Setouchi, sandwiches and other light meals, as well as coffee and tea.

The museum shop offers a variety of original goods, including prints of the artworks in the Simose collection, items inspired by the movable galleries, glassworks that reproduce the techniques of Emile Gallé, and objects made from thinly cut paper tubes, one of Shigeru Ban’s iconic architectural materials. Books on architecture, art, and design are also for sale.