Taketa History and Culture Museum
The history and present-day culture of Taketa are the focus of this moderately sized museum, which doubles as a guidance center for Oka Castle and also hosts art exhibitions.
Most of the museum is dedicated to the history of Oka Castle. A film projected onto one of the walls brings the castle’s past to life, and exhibits offer a deep dive into topics such as the construction of the stronghold’s towering stone ramparts and other defenses. A scale model of the Oka Castle Ruins gives an overview of the site, which extends across a flat-topped hill high above the city.
Other displays highlight notable historical figures with links to Taketa, including composer Taki Rentaro (1879–1903), children’s book author and lyricist Sato Yoshimi (1905–1968), and painter Tanomura Chikuden (1777–1835). Regular exhibitions of art with a connection to Taketa are held in the Citizen’s Gallery.
The museum building was reconstructed in 2020 and designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo. The structure blends in with its surroundings, and the architecture includes several references to the city of Taketa: the ornamental bamboo on the building’s exterior is sourced from Taketa—the name means “bamboo field”—and other parts of Oita Prefecture, while the flooring of the approach to the main entrance contains pieces of roof tile from the demolished Oka Castle.