dreamed of establishing a museum so that many people could visit to view his work. At the age of 74, he finally found, in his view, a perfect location – near Lake Kawaguchi, with a panoramic view of his beloved Mount Fuji. Kubota purchased the site in 1991, and began construction with limited. After three years of construction, in 1994, the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum was opened to the public. The main building, opened in October 1994, was constructed using a combination of traditional Japanese and Western techniques, representing the artist's unique worldview. The design is based on traditional Japanese architecture, but the structure evolves into a complex and spectacular pyramid-like puzzle of sixteen huge, 1000 year-old -tall wooden beams that are arranged in layers. The entryway to the museum is embellished by the mix of coral and limestone from Okinawa and sculptural ironwork by present-day artists, and features dramatically hand-carved doors sourced from India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Artworks from various places in Asia and Africa are placed around the museum grounds. A tea-room, "Itchiku-an", located at the back of the exhibition room, offers visitors green tea, sweets, and a beautiful view of the surroundings. A waterfall and outdoor stage are located besides the museum's reception building where events are occasionally held. The New Wing of the museum opened in 1997, and was based upon the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. The walls of the New Wing are made of Ryukyu limestone (coral reef fossils) from the Low Ryukyu Islands of the Japan's coral reef. There is the "Tombodama Art Gallery", a shop selling original goods and -themed accessories, and an open-style cafe. The garden around the museum was designed by Kubota, with the aim of accentuating the natural environment and showcasing the beauty of the surrounding area, combining Ryukyuan limestone, igneous rocks, and variety of local trees and spring water. Kubota worked with expert gardeners to place the decorative rocks, quiet ponds, streams, and waterfalls, combining the components for audio and visual effect. In 2019, The Guardian included the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum into the list of top 10 Places to visit in Japan. Awards Over the years, Kubota's work received great acclaim both nationally and internationally. The technique gained worldwide recognition, with Kubota receiving significant awards for his work: An award from the Society for the Dissemination of Folk Costumes and Customs (1978) Fourth Annual Award of the