Arte Piazza — Attraction in Bibai

Great place, especially in the afternoon with the magnificent light on the sculptures.

Arte Piazza Bibai

The landscape of the remains of a coal-mining town inspired the world-renowned artist. Sculptor, Kan Yasuda, and the outdoor sculpture park where you can enjoy the great outdoors.

Arte Piazza Bibai is an outdoor sculpture park about 60 kilometers northeast of Sapporo, located close to the center of Ishikari plain in Bibai city. “Arte Piazza” is Italian for “Art Square”. In what was once a coal-mining town, an obsolete elementary school building and gymnasium was renovated and left mostly as it was, the 30,000 square-meter area, including the surrounding forest, was redeveloped, and the sculptures from the Bibai-born, world-renowned sculptor Kan Yasuda were placed throughout the building and the surrounding grounds. The park was first opened 1992. Since then, the facilities and works of art continued to increase, becoming the vast 70,000 square-meter outdoor sculpture park it is today. The wooden school building and gymnasium, where numerous art events and hands-on classes are run throughout the year, is also used as a municipal kindergarten. It is a valuable space where you can enjoy the great outdoors and art just by taking a short trip...

A great experience in a serene location. This is a slower, more peaceful art experience, not a gallery overflowing with artworks and people.

If you've got a car in Hokkaido and you enjoy sculpture, this is worth a visit.

We visited in autumn and had lovely weather and sunshine. Recent bear activity in the area meant some of the hillside and artworks inside weren't able to be seen, but the experience was enjoyable nonetheless.

I wish I had worn gumboots or boots - my sneakers got quite wet from all the dew...

Arte Piazza Bibai in Winter

Visit Arte Piazza Bibai this winter for a magical experience just 60 kilometers northeast of Sapporo. This outdoor sculpture park features stunning works by sculptor Kan Yasuda, set against a snowy landscape.

Explore the 70,000 square meters of art and nature, including a renovated school and gymnasium hosting winter events. Enjoy cozy drinks at the café, and best of all, entrance is free. It’s the perfect spot to appreciate art in a...