There are four floors covered in optical illusions at Takao's Trick Art Museum. Most of the tricks are Egyptian-themed, but there are rooms, like the anti-gravity room, to break things up occasionally. (Eric Guzman/Stars and Stripes)
There are four floors covered in optical illusions at Takao's Trick Art Museum. Most of the tricks are Egyptian-themed, but there are rooms, like the anti-gravity room, to break things up occasionally. (Eric Guzman/Stars and Stripes)
Paintings at the Takao Trick Art Museum appear to jump from the walls when viewed from certain angles. ()
In the Mirror Room at the Takao Trick Art Museum west of Tokyo, look closely: Is that really a mirror image? (Courtesy of the Takao Trick Art Museum)
A room at the Takao Trick Art Museum, located at the foot of Mt. Takao west of Tokyo, uses distortions to create an illusion of relative sizes. The father in the picture looks smaller than his son. But it's all an optical illusion. (Courtesy of the Takao Trick Art Museum)
At the Takao Trick Art Museum west of Tokyo, the Floating Ancient Egyptian Temple seems to have visitors hanging in mid-air. (Courtesy of the Takao Trick Art Museum)
A picture frame allows a visitor to strike a pose wearing one of the dresses on loan for photos at the Takao Trick Art Museum west of Tokyo. (Courtesy of the Takao Trick Art Museum)
The wall art at the Takao Trick Art Museum gives the illusion of depth and sometimes motion depending on where you stand inside of each room. (Eric Guzman/Stars and Stripes)
Coming into contact with the works on display, speaking aloud and making noise are “accepted ways of enjoying the museum,” according to its website. There are signs nearby and English-friendly posters next to each optical illusion to assist visitors. (Eric Guzman/Stars and Stripes)
The Takao Trick Art Museum west of Tokyo uses perspective to create optical illusions, most of which are best seen through a lens. Taking a camera with you is recommended. (Eric Guzman/Stars and Stripes)
At Takao Trick Art Museum west of Tokyo, you’re dangling by a hand from the Sphinx’s nose one minute and then escaping spears and lions the next.
Located within a five-minute walk from the base of Mount Takao, in sight of Takao- sanguchi station, the Trick Art Museum is filled top to bottom with beautifully painted optical illusions and interactive displays ready for adults and children alike.
While most exhibits in the museum are easily appreciated at first sight, some require the use of a camera. There are markers on the floor and example pictures near each station to help visitors frame their photos and pose when cameras are recommended.
A tour through each of the museum’s rooms should take about an hour, though a trip might run longer if one decides to take part in the museum’s interactive areas. The anti-gravity room and the black light rooms are known to hold patrons’ attention.
The staff speaks and understands English, and there are printed guides available to visitors as well. Each exhibit has Japanese and English instructions posted nearby.
Take time for a hike (or a lift) to the top of Mount Takao after enjoying a world of optical illusions at the museum.
Takao Trick Art Museum Directions The Takao Trick Art Museum is located at 1786 Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi. GPS: 35.632858, 139.271061. By train, get off at Takao-sanguchi station
Costs Admission costs 1,300 yen for adults; 1,000 yen for middle and high school students; 700 yen for elementary school students and 500 yen for preschoolers. Discounts apply for the disabled, physically handicapped and groups of 20 or more. Parking at the train station costs 1,000 yen.
Times Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. from April to November; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. from December to March.
Information Telephone: 042 (667) 1081; website: www.trickart.jp/en.
