The Trick Art Museum in Kamifurano is one of those places that sounds gimmicky until you’re standing in it trying to pose like you’re falling off a cliff or being eaten by a dragon. It’s pure photo-op territory — interactive 3D paintings that mess with perspective so your pictures look like you’re inside the scene. Silly? Absolutely. Fun? Also yes, especially if you’ve got kids or a group that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
In This Article
What Is the Trick Art Museum?
The official name is Miyama-toge Trick Art Museum (トリックアート美術館), and it’s part of the larger Miyama-toge Art Park complex in Kamifurano. The museum is filled with large-scale paintings designed to create optical illusions when photographed from specific angles. You step into them, interact with them, and your camera does the rest.
Think: holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, except way more creative. One wall has you dangling over a waterfall. Another puts you in a giant wine glass. There are maybe 30-40 different setups spread across two floors. Each one has a marked spot on the floor showing you exactly where to stand for the best shot.
The whole thing takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many photos you want and how crowded it is. On a quiet weekday you can breeze through in 20 minutes. On a summer weekend with tour groups, expect to wait for your turn at popular setups.
Practical Details
Address: Nishi8-sen Kita33-go, Kamifurano, Hokkaido 071-0509
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00, April through November. Winter hours (December through March) are shorter, typically 10:00 to 16:00, and the museum may close entirely on some winter weekdays. Check ahead if visiting between December and March.
Admission: 1,300 yen for adults, 900 yen for children (ages 6-12). Kids under 6 are free. There are combo tickets available if you also want to visit the glass art gallery next door.
Getting there: It’s on Route 237, the main road between Furano and Kamifurano heading toward Tokachidake. If you’re driving, it’s about 20 minutes north of Furano Station. Parking is free and there’s plenty of space. Without a car, you’ll need a taxi from Kamifurano Station (about 10 minutes, around 1,500 yen) since there’s no convenient bus service to the door.
The Miyama-toge Art Park Complex
The Trick Art Museum is just one part of the Miyama-toge Art Park. The complex also includes a glass art workshop where you can make your own glass pendants or ornaments (around 1,500 yen for a basic workshop, takes about 20 minutes). There’s also a small gallery showcasing local glass art for sale.
Outside, the grounds have views across the Furano valley toward the Tokachidake mountain range. In summer, you can see all the way to the patchwork fields that Kamifurano is famous for. It’s a decent spot to stretch your legs even if you skip the museum itself.
There’s a small gift shop and snack counter, but nothing substantial for lunch. Eat before or after.
Is It Worth It?
I’ll be honest: if you’re traveling solo or as a couple without much interest in goofy photos, you might find it a bit thin for 1,300 yen. The art itself isn’t high art — it’s designed for entertainment, not contemplation.
But if you’ve got kids? It’s great. They can climb on things, interact with everything, and they’ll want to try every single setup. Families easily spend a full hour here, and the photos make excellent souvenirs.
It also works well as a rainy day backup. When the weather kills your flower-field plans, trick art doesn’t care about rain. And in the context of a day driving around Kamifurano hitting Zerubu Hill and Shikisai no Oka, this fits neatly into the itinerary without eating up too much time.
What’s Nearby
Kamifurano is compact but has several stops worth combining into a half-day circuit:
Flower Land Kamifurano: About 10 minutes south by car. Large flower fields with a buggy ride option. Free entry to walk the grounds, buggies cost around 500 yen.
Tokachidake Onsen: About 30 minutes uphill from the museum. A cluster of rustic hot spring inns at 1,200m elevation with mountain views. The public bath at Kamihoro-so costs 1,000 yen and sits right at the edge of the mountain.
Biei scenic drives: Kamifurano is the gateway to Biei’s rolling hills and famous trees (Christmas Tree, Ken & Mary Tree, Mild Seven Hill). Add 1-2 hours to loop through the highlights.
For full trip planning, the Furano travel guide covers the wider area. If you’re trying to fill a day with activities, the outdoor activities page has more ideas. And if you’re visiting during lavender season (July), the lavender fields guide will help you time it right.