Region
Kanto
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Tokyo
Population
12,059,237

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Japan's first public 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.”

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

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.

Things To Know

Hours and fees

The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., however it closes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Entry to the museum is free, however separate fees may be charged for admission to individual exhibitions. Please contact the museum before you visit to check.

More info

The Museum’s English homepage can be found at www.tobikan.jp/en/guide/index.html or you can call directly 03-3823-6921.

Special Day

The Museum hosts “Special day for people with disabilities”, which is held three or four times every year when the galleries are closed. The purpose of the event is to allow people with disabilities to enjoy the artworks safely and in a comfortable environment. More information can be found by calling directly 03-3823-6921.

How To Get There

Address

8-36 Uenokoen, Taito, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

By train

The museum is situated in the center of Ueno Park, next to the Ueno Zoological Gardens, and adjacent to the Tokyo National Museum making it easily accessible, within 10 minutes walk of the Ginza Line, the Hibiya Line, the JR line and the Keisei Line train stations.

If you’re coming into Tokyo from Narita Airport, then the Keisei Line will get you to Ueno from the Airport in about 90 minutes.


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