Enjoy renowned western works of art in the Ueno of Tokyo areas.
Designed by renowned Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, the National Museum of Western Art houses more than 6,000 sculptures and paintings dating from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the mid-20th century. This is the only national museum focused exclusively on western artists, and boasts works by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Rubens, and Van Gogh. While the art alone is impressive enough, the architecture and exterior grounds of the museum are particularly stunning.
Tips
- Pieces by master artists such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, and many more.
- Enjoying a serene walk in the front garden, which is ornately decorated with sculptures by Auguste Rodin
Opened in 1959, the National Museum of Western Art houses the collection of entrepreneur Matsukata Kojiro. His collection was requisitioned by the French government during the Second World War. After the war, the "Matsukata Collection" was permitted to return to Japan on the condition that a facility was built for its preservation and exhibition. As a preeminent modern architect, Le Corbusier was a fitting choice to design the building. In July 2016, the striking concrete structure was designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site ("The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement").
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.
