The Haizuka Dam, which spans Soryo in Shobara City and the neighboring areas of Mirasaka and Kisa in Miyoshi City, was completed in 2007 (Heisei 19).
Recognizing the profound impact dam construction can have on both the natural environment and local communities, residents, artists, and public officials came together in a rare and forward-thinking collaboration—the Haizuka Earthworks Project—to explore new ways for culture and nature to coexist. From 1994 over a span of about nine years, this project unfolded as a dialogue between contemporary art and the land itself, responding to its geography, history, and collective memory.
Among its most remarkable outcomes are Nakatsukuni Park and Himawari Park, both designed by renowned artist and sculptor Mr. Kenjiro Okazaki.
Rather than simply placing artworks within the landscape, Okazaki envisioned the spaces themselves as living works of art—delicately constructed, open environments that awaken the senses and invite visitors to experience the connection between art and place.At OMOYA Soryo, you’ll find two of Okazaki’s major art books in our living spacel (often referred to as the "Womb Space"):
"Re-Reading Vision" and "Ones Passed Over Head", the latter donated by Mr. Masanao Yabuki, director of Nakatsukuni Lykeion.
Guests are welcome to browse them freely during their stay. For those interested, we also offer a guided art tour (reservation required, fee applies), led by Mr. Yabuki.
His customized tours offer deep insights into the project’s background, its relationship with the local area, and how to engage with the artworks—highly recommended for those who wish to explore the experience more deeply.
Reservations can be made via the “Contact” page of our website.In the quiet town of Soryo, where art and landscape softly echo one another, let your senses be awakened.
Nakatsukuni Park is approximately a 20-minute drive from OMOYA Soryo.