Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Located amongst a cluster of museums and galleries in Ueno Park,  the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is one of the capital’s major art spots. Also known as Tokyo Bijutsukan, it displays a variety of works of art, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and calligraphy.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum first opened in 1926, when it was originally called the Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum. Its name was later changed to its current one in 1943, when Tokyo Prefecture became the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. A further renewal was carried out from 2010 with the museum in its current form reopening in 2012.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum describes itself as a ‘doorway to art.’

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum describes itself as a “doorway to art” where anyone can encounter and enjoy world-renowned masterpieces. To ensure its diversity of visitors, the museum even hosts special events for people with disabilities, where artworks can be observed in a safe and comfortable environment.

Moreover, the museum caters for a range of artistic tastes. For instance, Japanese classical art, such as the Edo Period painting showcase, and the Retrospective of French Japanese artist Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita, unveiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death, sit alongside renowned international artists, such as Munch, best known for his masterpiece, “The Scream.”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is an art museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo.

Local contemporary artists are also showcased through the annual Ueno Artist Project, which typically exhibits from November to January each year. This year’s exhibition will be formally unveiled on Nov. 18. Furthermore, every year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum hosts a colorful thematic exhibition. This year, the exhibition called “Bento—Design for Eating, Gathering and Communicating” reveals to the public the captivating culture of bento (Japanese lunch box) through works of both Japanese and international artists.

Besides the beautiful exhibitions, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum also offers great ways of relaxation for its visitors. If you get tired of strolling around artworks, make sure to stop at the restaurant to get re-energized or to buy some unique gifts at the souvenir shop.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is the perfect place to see both international and Japanese masterpieces.