The National Museum of Western Art 国立西洋美術館

Five centuries of European art await in Tokyo’s old Ueno district

Designed by renowned Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, the National Museum of Western Art houses 4,500 works of sculptures and paintings from the last 500 years. This is the only museum in Tokyo focused exclusively on western artists, and boasts works by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Rubens, and Van Gogh. And while the art alone is impressive enough, the architecture and exterior grounds of the museum are particularly stunning.

Opened in 1959, the museum houses the collection of industrialist Matsukata Kojiro. Stored for years in France, his collection was permitted for relocation back to Japan on the condition that the works be showcased in a building designed by a Frenchman. As a preeminent modern architect, Le Corbusier was a fitting choice to design the building, and the striking concrete structure was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The National Museum of Western Art is located in Ueno Park. Consider spending an hour or two exploring the museum, then head to neighboring park attractions, which include the Ueno Zoo, the Tokyo National Museum, and The Ueno Royal Museum.