The Museum on the Mountain (1998) documents the design and execution of the Miho Museum, a remarkable architectural achievement by I.M. Pei (1917–2019), located in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Nestled in the misty mountains, the museum was conceived as a modern Shangri-La, seamlessly blending with the pristine, untouched landscape that inspired its creation.

Commissioned by Mihoko Koyama (1910–2003), the founder of the Shinji Shūmeikai religious group, the Miho Museum is designed to promote beauty and peace through art, housing Koyama's private collection of Shinto and Buddhist art, paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, lacquerware, and other ancient artefacts from Egypt, Western Asia, Greece, Rome, Southern Asia, and China.

Overcoming numerous challenges, including strict height regulations and the need to preserve the natural landscape, Pei's masterful design places 80 percent of the museum underground. The result is a stunning structure that celebrates the natural setting through its use of light, materials, and a carefully curated approach to the visitor experience. The Miho Museum stands as a testament to the harmonious meeting of Eastern tradition and Western innovation, creating a sanctuary for art and reflection within the abundant natural beauty of the Japanese mountains.

Peter Rosen (b. 1943, United States) is a filmmaker with an extensive body of work spanning over 40 years. He has produced and directed more than 100 feature films and television programmes that have received global distribution and garnered awards at major film festivals. Rosen's films cover a diverse range of subjects, from music and performing arts to history and human-interest stories. Besides I. M. Pei, he has collaborated with creative figures like Leonard Bernstein, Yo-Yo Ma, Stephen Sondheim, and Martha Graham.