FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Award-Winning Redesign of Takanabe Ninomaru Museum Blends History, Storytelling, and Community Spirit

The Takanabe Ninomaru Museum, originally established in 1986 on the historic grounds of Takanabe Castle, has undergone a remarkable transformation led by designer Tomohiro Kaji. Faced with declining visitor engagement due to outdated exhibits, the project set out in autumn 2023 to reimagine the museum as a dynamic center for cultural heritage and community connection. The revitalization was completed in December 2024 in Miyazaki, Japan, and has now been honored with the 2025 Golden A' Design Award in the Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry category.

Inspired by the philosophy of benevolence (JIN) and the town's legacy in education and culture, the redesign focused on creating an immersive, narrative-driven experience. Kaji and his team re-envisioned every aspect of the museum-from curation and visual identity to signage and spatial layout-to intuitively convey the region's unique history. The exhibition's sequential flow guides visitors through themed zones, each highlighting different eras and stories, while layered acrylic panels and symbolic graphics visually represent historical continuity and the succession of local lords.

Despite constraints in historical materials and budget, the team utilized innovative graphic and spatial design techniques to maximize impact. The entrance now features a concept display with a compelling tagline, and the main exhibition rooms use zoning signs and thematic displays to engage visitors. The museum's centerpiece highlights the Takanabe Domain's history, the Meirindo school, and the progressive policies of the 7th lord Akizuki Taneshige, connecting local heritage to contemporary values such as the SDGs. Through extensive research, collaboration with historians, and creative problem-solving, the project has successfully transformed the museum into a source of civic pride and a model for cultural revitalization.

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