Matsumoto Chaho is a long-established tea store established in 1908 in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture.It also sells crafts such as Arita-yaki porcelain and Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware.

Matsumoto Chaho is not just an ordinary store. It’s a hidden gem, a secret art spot waiting to be discovered. As you walk deeper into the store, you’ll find yourself in a cool basement, reminiscent of a bomb shelter, where contemporary artworks are on display. This unique experience of viewing art in such an unexpected setting is a must for any art enthusiast.

The owner, Matsumoto Ryutaro, explains the works of Mohri Yuko, an exhibiting artist at the Venice Biennale, and Takashi Kuribayashi, an exhibiting artist at Documenta 15, with a lot of humor and a passion for the history of urban development in Towada, which is so interesting that you could listen to him forever! He says, “Towada is a city of immigrants.

He said, “Towada is a town of immigrants. That’s why it is easy to do something new.

Like the open-air artwork facing the main street of the Museum of Contemporary Art Towada, this is a unique place where you can experience the sense of art and the city mixing and expanding.

It is a unique space that blends life, traditional culture, and contemporary art. This intriguing blend has made it a popular destination among art enthusiasts and tourists alike, offering a cultural experience like no other.