【閉館】美しい自然とアートが一度に満喫できる人気スポット 「クレマチスの丘」へ行ってきました。

[Clematis garden area]
There are many attractions 
such as museums, sculpture gardens, and restaurants!

The Clematis Garden area is dotted with the Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum, museum shops and restaurants. The restaurant and museum shop do not require an admission fee, making it a popular spot for locals to casually visit.

The Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum utilizes the slopes of the hill and consists of three areas: the upper garden, the museum, and the lower garden. It is also a great attraction that the scenery you can see varies depending on the area, such as the magnificent nature surrounding the museum and the townscape of Nagaizumi-cho that spreads out below.

What is the Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum?

The Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum, which opened on April 28, 2002, is the world's only private museum of contemporary Italian figurative sculptor Giuliano Vangi. Vangi's sculptures from the 1960s to the present are part of the permanent collection, which are scattered in harmony with the scenery in the exhibition building and garden.

Mr. Vangi is a sculptor who skillfully utilizes various materials such as bronze, marble, and wood, and their characteristics, to give concrete shape to the complex minds of modern humans from diverse perspectives. In addition to asking "What is a human being?", Mr. Vangi, who creates works based on nature, quietly talks to us living in the same era about "the relationship between humans and nature."

Entrance/upper garden

Buy a ticket in front of the ticket center of the Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum and Clematis Garden and enter immediately!

As soon as you pass through the entrance, you will see a 20-meter-long glass mosaic work "Relief: People in the Scenery" on the wall. Although it is a two-dimensional work, it has a three-dimensional effect, and it is a mysterious work in which the sense of distance between men and women and the line of sight change depending on the viewing angle.

When you enter the upper garden, an open landscape spreads out in front of you. It's a gentle slope, and you can enter the grass part. Various flowers are planted in each season, and cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring.

Immediately, a number of sculptures are displayed from the garden to the entrance of the museum.

The work in the center is "Man in the Bamboo Grove". It seems that Mr. Vangi was inspired when he visited the bamboo grove in Arashiyama, Kyoto.

One of Mr. Vangi's representative works is "The Man Climbing a Wall". The impression changes dramatically depending on the season, weather, and viewing angle. It's interesting to think about interpretations such as "What kind of situation is it?" and "What is ahead of the man's gaze?"

The work "Standing Man" was created when the museum was established. Glass is pasted in front of you, but if you look closely ... ....

It seems to have hit the glass. We can interpret it in various ways, whether it's appealing to us behind the glass or whether someone has blocked his way.

We also recommend lining up with Mr. Vangi's sculptures or posing in the same pose for a photo.

Museum (exhibition room)

Descend the slopes of the upper garden to reach the entrance to the museum. The townscape of Mishima spreads out in the distance, and the sunset and night view can be seen beautifully.

At the time of shooting, the works of the special exhibition are also on display, so the number and position of the works may change depending on the time.

Currently, 22 of Mr. Vangi's works are on display in the museum, and Mr. Vangi is particular about the position of each work and how the light hits it. Some of the works can be touched.

"Pulpit"

In one corner of the exhibition room, there is also a marble “pulpit”. The pulpit is the place in the church where the pastor speaks and takes vows at weddings. The Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum offers a sacred ceremony surrounded by sculptures. There is also a garden and restaurant, so reception parties are also possible. You can have a wedding memory like no other.

The permanent exhibition space flanks the central wall and forms an irregular square. With the hope that visitors will be able to visit the museum as they please, there are no regular routes and nothing to obstruct the space.

After passing through the temporary exhibition space adjacent to the regular exhibition space, you will continue to the garden.

Lower garden (clematis garden)

When you leave the exhibition room, a bright lawn square spreads out on one side. "Clematis", which is also the name of the facility, is a type of plant of the climbing family that is popular as a garden plant. More than 2,000 clematis of about 250 varieties are planted in the clematis garden area.

A clematis flower blooming at the time of the interview. The color and shape of the flowers vary depending on the cultivar.

The peak season for clematis is from May to June, but with careful pruning, you can see them until around November. The rose garden has 90 varieties of roses, and the mirror pond has water lilies floating in it, so it's also a big attraction that you can see different scenery depending on the season you visit.

The sculpture of a doll standing in the middle of a green bush is also Mr. Vangi's work called "Stairway to Heaven". The person, the staircase, and the space next to the staircase are one work.

When you go down the stairs, there are two reliefs in the space on the right. On the wall on the right, people have died in conflicts, and the people behind them are grieving. The man and woman on the left wall symbolize the present against the past. If you look closely, it seems that the eyes of the two people are looking straight and far away.

It is a work that allows you to experience a time travel-like experience of going down the stairs to see the past and present, and going up the stairs to the future. The ascending stairs are steeper than the descending stairs, and it is said that the aim is to look at the sky while ascending.

One of the pleasures of art appreciation is to try to draw out the message from the work and to imagine it freely, but if you know the historical background and the intention behind the work, you will deepen your understanding of the artist.

The slightly raised hill is called "Kusunoki no Oka" and is a spot that symbolizes Clematis Hill. There are chairs and hammocks, so you can spend your free time reading or taking a break.

It looks like it's good to have a relaxing conversation while looking at the clematis and roses.

The pond in front is "Mirror Pond". Water flows from the central work "Woman Wearing Water".

The large garden is dotted with sculptures, but you can enter and exit the lawn freely, so you can appreciate the artworks and seasonal flowers up close. I usually only walk on asphalt, so the feeling of fluffy grass is fresh!

As you go deeper into the garden, you will find a space like a secret garden. It is the only "Clematis White Garden" in Japan that collects white clematis.

You can enjoy herbal tea and cookies at the attached "Cafe Biotope Garden".

The counter is lined with clematis vase. You can bring it to the table and watch it.

A beautiful space surrounded by greenery. Spend an elegant time surrounded by clematis flowers.

In the clematis garden area, you can appreciate art while interacting with Mr. Vangi's work, and feel close to the beauty of seasonal plants, clematis, and roses. Surrounded by majestic nature and works of art, you will have a peaceful and special time.

Restaurant/Shop

When you come to the Clematis Garden Area, be sure to check out the restaurants and museum shops as well. Anyone can use it, so feel free to stop by before or after visiting the museum.

Pizzeria & Trattoria Chao Chao

This is a restaurant where you can taste authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired kiln made by an Italian kiln craftsman. In addition to 17 types of regular pizza, there is a full lineup of monthly recommendations that change every month. At dinner time, you can also order small sizes, so you can combine it with other dishes or share several types.

The interior of the store is a bright and open space with glass on one side. Outside the window is a row of ginkgo trees, and it is attractive that you can enjoy beautiful scenery in each season, such as autumn leaves in autumn and illumination of fir trees in winter. There is also a wood-burning stove in the store, and in winter, the flickering flames and gentle warmth fill the store.

There is also a terrace seat where you can feel the comfortable breeze.

All of the carefully prepared dishes are exquisite, using fresh seasonal vegetables procured from contracted farmers and local Shizuoka ingredients. In addition to pizza, you can also enjoy pasta and southern Italian dishes. Recommended for lunch and dinner!

Japanese Cuisine Tessen

Popular lunch menu "Tessen Hakozen" 2,900 yen (tax included)

A Japanese restaurant that mainly serves Japanese set meals and sushi kaiseki. You can enjoy high-quality dishes made with a variety of ingredients from Shizuoka Prefecture, which are brought from the rich nature of mountains, rivers, and seas, as well as carefully selected seasonal ingredients from all over Japan.

Entrance surrounded by greenery. The glass at the entrance is also the work of the artist.

The spacious interior is modern and bright. Private rooms are also available and can be used for a wide range of occasions, such as anniversaries and family gatherings.

There is also a terrace seat where you can relax while looking at the beautiful garden.

It can also be used as a cafe after lunchtime. It is also recommended to spend a relaxing cafe time in a seat overlooking the garden art museum.

Matcha tiramisu inspired by a garden lawn

There are plenty of sweets such as anmitsu with a melty texture, wasanbon and black honey soft serve ice cream, and green tea tiramisu that looks fun. In summer, seasonal menus such as chilled cream zenzai, warabi mochi, and shaved ice are available.

Museum shop

Flower Shop Biotope Garden

Museum shops are lined up near the entrance to the Clematis Garden Area.
"NOHARA BOOKS" handles art museum-related goods, books, and miscellaneous goods; "Boutique Clematis HOME&GARDEN," which sells clematis-themed goods, tea, and household goods; "Flower Shop Biotope Garden" deals with seedlings and potted plants of clematis and other plants, gardening goods, etc. It's a fun time to pick up something to commemorate your visit to Clematis Hill or pick up your favorite goods, and it's a great spot for those who like gardening.

Let's go to "Clematis Hill," 
​a space where beautiful nature and art merge!

The cultural complex "Clematis Hill" is a spot where you can spend a relaxing and special time, such as strolling through the beautiful gardens, interacting with art, and enjoying carefully selected gourmet food. You can spend a whole day exploring the two areas at your leisure.

When you go sightseeing in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture, such as Mishima, Numazu, and Izu, why not stop by?