National Museum of Western Art Museum

Address: 7‑7 Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo 110‑0007, Japan (Ueno Park)

Website: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/

Hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:30pm; late opening on Fridays (check current schedule); closed Mondays

Admission: Admission varies by exhibition; permanent collection/entry typically around ¥500 for adults (check site)

A national museum in Ueno Park dedicated to Western art with a collection formed largely from the donations of collector Kojiro Matsukata. The museum’s main building, completed in 1959, was designed by Le Corbusier and is a landmark of modern architecture in Japan.

The collection covers European painting and sculpture from the Renaissance through the early 20th century and includes a significant group of works and casts by Auguste Rodin. Displays are arranged in interior galleries and an adjacent outdoor sculpture garden that complements the indoor holdings.

Established in the mid-20th century to house imported and acquired Western works, the museum has retained its architectural and curatorial emphasis on 19th and early 20th-century European art.

Located within Ueno Park, it sits close to other national museums and is accessible from Ueno Station.

• UNESCO World Heritage: The museum building by Le Corbusier is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for his architectural work.
• Core collection: Collections were largely formed from the donations of industrialist Kojiro Matsukata and focus on European painting and sculpture from the Renaissance to the early 20th century.

What to See#

• Main building: The main building is an example of modernist architecture designed by Le Corbusier and retains its original gallery layout for Western paintings and sculpture.
• Sculpture Garden: An outdoor sculpture garden that displays large-scale works and is visible from surrounding parkland.

National Museum of Western Art sits on the southwest edge of Ueno Park. Ueno Station (JR lines and Tokyo Metro Ginza line) and Keisei Ueno are the nearest stations; the museum is a short 3-5 minute walk from the park’s western side and is well signed from the station.

Public transit is the easiest way to reach the museum; parking in the Ueno area is limited.

• Visit on a weekday morning right when the museum opens to see the galleries with fewer people; the museum is compact so early arrival makes for a more relaxed experience.
• Approach via Ueno Park (short walk from JR Ueno Station) and head first to the sculpture garden-the outdoor Rodin pieces are often missed by visitors rushing to the indoor galleries.
• Allow 1-1.5 hours and pair your visit with nearby museums in Ueno Park; the building's Le Corbusier-designed architecture is a draw in itself, so take a few minutes to appreciate the exterior and layout.