Mori Art Museum

• Mori Art Museum will temporarily be closed until further notice due to the coronavirus. For updates on the COVID-19 situation in Japan check GaijinPot Blog: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/is-it-safe-to-visit-japan-as-the-coronavirus-cases-increase/

Sitting pretty on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the iconic Mori Tower, is one of Tokyo’s not-so-hidden gems and the cultural jewel of the upscale Roppongi Hills development.

This contemporary art museum primarily displays Asian artists, and, instead of a permanent exhibit, showcases a constantly changing lineup of exhibitions, research projects, public programs, and more.

But a visit to Mori Art Museum (MAM) promises more than just excellently-curated exhibitions.

The museum features a souvenir shop, The Sun and The Moon restaurant (which occasionally offers themed menus in conjunction with certain exhibitions), and special showcases like the the MAM Project, a gallery that exhibits solo artists; MAM Screen, a screening program that shows video works in conjunction with current exhibitions; MAM Research, an ongoing project that seeks to examine the various factors that gave rise to Asian contemporary art; and the MAM Collection, exhibitions that display contemporary art pieces from their present collection in a living space environment.

You’ll also find two observation decks. The first is Tokyo City View, a traditional observation deck that wraps almost entirely around the 52nd floor. Though admission requires a separate ticket from the museum’s, Tokyo City View often hosts an exhibition within the Sky Gallery, and you can appreciate both the art and stunning view at the same time.

The second is the rooftop Sky Deck, the highest open-air observation deck in Japan, and home to the Roppongi Astronomy Club’s monthly public stargazing event held on the fourth Friday of every month. (Admission is the cost of a Sky Deck ticket, but use of the telescopes and other available equipment is free.)

The Roppongi Tenmon (Astronomy) Club also organizes regular lectures and seminars led by various astronomy experts, which are also open to the public, but may require advance registration due to limited space.