The National Museum of Western Art
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Ueno Station · 1 min walk (JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line, JR Ueno-Tokyo Line)
- Hours
- 9:30–17:30 (Fridays and Saturdays 9:30–20:00; last entry 30 min before closing). Closed Mondays (next weekday if Monday is a holiday) and Dec 28–Jan 1.
- Admission
- Permanent Collection: ¥500 (adults), ¥250 (college students), Free (18 and under, 65 and older). Special exhibitions priced separately.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time to go
- Friday or Saturday after 17:00, when opening hours extend until 20:00 and gallery crowds thin.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Located in Ueno Park, this premier museum showcases an outstanding collection of Western masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 20th century, including works by Monet, Rodin, and Picasso. Designed by the legendary modernist architect Le Corbusier, the building itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can expect a tranquil, world-class art experience featuring iconic Impressionist paintings and a striking outdoor sculpture garden.
What Japanese guides note
Arriving via JR Ueno Station's Park Exit brings visitors to the forecourt in one minute without navigating elevation changes or stairs. Visitors holding special exhibition tickets do not need to buy separate tickets for the permanent galleries, as entry is already included. The forecourt containing Rodin's monumental bronzes sits in front of the ticket check and can be viewed freely from the park walkway.
Details from local sources
- The museum closed from October 2020 to April 2022 to restore its forecourt to Le Corbusier's 1959 original design, including floor joints laid out according to his Modulor proportion system. [source]
- Le Corbusier's construction on the 1959 main building was directed on site by three Japanese architect apprentices: Kunio Maekawa, Junzo Sakakura, and Takamasa Yoshizaka. [source]
- Opposite the museum, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan concert hall designed by Kunio Maekawa incorporates window frames arranged to mirror the paving grid of the museum's forecourt. [source]
- The museum offers free admission to its permanent collection on the second Sunday of each month through the Kawasaki Free Sunday program. [source]
- Any purchased special exhibition ticket includes admission to the permanent collection on the same day. [source]
- Japan established the museum in 1959 to satisfy a French diplomatic condition requiring a dedicated Western art facility before returning the seized Matsukata Collection. [source]
Insider Tip
Don't miss the outdoor Rodin sculptures, which you can view for free without purchasing a museum ticket.
Frequently asked
Can visitors view the outdoor Rodin sculptures without paying admission?
Yes. The outdoor forecourt displays Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" and "The Gates of Hell" alongside Emile-Antoine Bourdelle's "Hercules the Archer." This open-air sculpture area sits outside the ticket barrier and is accessible to pedestrians passing through Ueno Park.
Is a special exhibition ticket needed to see Monet's Water Lilies?
No. Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" is part of the museum's permanent collection displayed in the main building. Visitors only need a permanent collection ticket (¥500 for adults), or can view it on designated free admission days such as the monthly Kawasaki Free Sunday.
When does the museum stay open late for night viewing?
The museum extends its opening hours until 20:00 on Friday and Saturday evenings, with last entry permitted until 19:30. On all other regular open days, Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, the museum closes at 17:30, with final admission cut off at 17:00.
Does the museum provide on-site parking facilities?
No dedicated parking exists on the museum grounds. The museum recommends using public transit via JR Ueno Station's Park Exit. Visitors arriving by car must use commercial coin-operated or municipal pay-parking facilities scattered around Ueno Park, where vehicle spaces are limited on weekends.
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