FUKUOKA, JAPAN: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

• Address:  Riverain Center Bld, 7th-8th fl, 3-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata Riverain
• Phone:  263 1100
• Email:  faam_e@faam.city.fukuoka.jp
• Website:  faam.city.fukuoka.jp
• Thu-Tue 10:00 - 19:30

FROMMER’S

Walk through Kushida Shrine and turn right into the Kawabata-dori covered shopping arcade. Linking Canal City Hakata and Hakata Riverain, it was once the city's main shopping street but has been overtaken by the two complexes it connects. Halfway down is another float on view year-round that's used in the Yamakasa Festival. At the end of the arcade, across the street, is Riverain, where up on the seventh and eighth floors is the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, 3-1 Shimo-Kawabatamachi (tel. 092/263-1100; http://faam.city.fukuoka.jp; Thurs-Tues 10am-8pm), the only museum I've seen in Japan devoted to contemporary and modern art from around Asia. From folk pop art to political art, the permanent exhibition presents the cutting edge of art from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Korea, India, and other Asian countries, with changing displays culled from the museum's own collection. It's very much worth the hour you'll spend here and the ¥200 ($1.65/85p) admission for adults, ¥150 ($1.25/65p) for college and high-school students, and ¥100 (85¢/45p) for junior-high students and younger (special exhibits cost more). The closest subway station is Nakasu-Kawabata Station (exit 6) in front of Riverain; or take the ¥100 Bus to Kawabata-machi (stop no. 12).

LONELY PLANET:

This modern, expansive, and well-lit museum boasts some of the finest contemporary Asian art in Japan, as well as rotating exhibits on the 7th floor. Cutting-edge shows by artists in residence are staged in the free gallery (8th floor). The atrium coffee shop has skyline views, and you get a free postcard if you buy anything at the museum store.