Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Name: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Address: 8-36 Uenokōen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan
Rating: 4.2

4.2 (15378)Tourist AttractionMuseumPoint Of InterestStoreEstablishment

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is a popular destination for art enthusiasts in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it was established in 1926. The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions featuring both Japanese and international artists. Its goal is to provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and for visitors to appreciate art.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum features six exhibition rooms, a lecture hall, and several workshop spaces. It hosts a wide range of exhibitions, from traditional Japanese art to contemporary works by international artists. The museum does not have a permanent collection, which allows it to constantly bring in new and diverse exhibitions.

One of the unique aspects of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is its "Museum Start i-Ueno" program. This initiative encourages school children to visit and engage with the art, fostering an early appreciation for culture and creativity. The museum also collaborates with various art institutions worldwide, bringing global art trends to Tokyo.

The museum’s café and shop provide visitors with a complete cultural experience. The café offers a relaxing spot to discuss art over coffee, while the shop sells art books, prints, and souvenirs related to current exhibitions.

Hours:

9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Monday - Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday)

9:30 AM - 8:00 PM (Friday)

Closed:

First and third Mondays of every month

Available:

All year (Except the first and third Mondays of every month)

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Admission Fee:

Free

Phone

+81 3-3823-6921

Website

www.tobikan.jp

The area

Address

8-36 Uenokōen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

the line for van gogh was incredibly long (as expected fo van gogh) so my mother and I opted to look at the free exhibits, which was all japanese calligraphy with no translated guide to read from. i don't expect places to cater to my every need as a foreigner but was disappointed at the lack of permanent exhibit and actual paintings to look at. the museum itself was also rather stuffy unfortunately. overall disappointing and unpleasant experience. also as a side note: make sure you bring cash to this museum as some exhibits dont take card

bee mcevoy

Nov 28, 2025

The diy exhibition was a must see. I don’t have pictures here cause photo was not allowed in diy which is in b1. Go up on the second floor exhibit 2 and 4 are free. Look closely at the quilt—the way the colors harmonize yet still create such dramatic contrast is pure genius. I can’t stop marveling at how the artist endured the long, solitary hours, carefully stitching together countless fabric pieces so flawlessly flat, without a single bunch or wrinkle. If you truly give your full attention to these artworks, they will leave you exhausted within two hours. It’s a mutual exchange—the artists pour out their energy creating them, and in return they ask for your presence and attention. I deeply respect, honor, and appreciate their hearts and souls, which you can clearly feel within the work itself.

Grace Barr

Oct 3, 2025

Went to the Van Gogh exhibition during the holiday/weekend time at around 11 am. Wasn’t crowded and didn’t book the tickets in advance actually. Got to enter right after purchasing. The wait time for purchase was ~3-4 mins. It was a good exhibition with quite a lot of works not limited to van Gogh but purchased/kept by his relatives as well. I can say that you will not be disappointed. It was not allowed to take pictures of the exhibits but at the end there is a pretty cool short video animating his famous works. You can also find merch store but the prices were quite high - saw a cute knitted mini-version of van Gogh 🥺

Laura Adilova

Sep 24, 2025

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum boasts one of the finest permanent collections in the world. Masterpieces by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, Bruegel, Bosch, and even Vermeer are part of its remarkable display. I was lucky enough to see them in person — and there happened to be a special Picasso exhibition on at the same time. Located in Ueno Park, surrounded by other outstanding museums and the zoo, it’s the perfect spot for a cultural day out in Tokyo.

P MS

Oct 5, 2025

The museum provides an elegant, well-paced environment. The exhibition itself adds intellectual and emotional layers by exploring Van Gogh’s legacy via his family collection, rather than only his art in isolation. I’d rate it highly for anyone interested in Van Gogh, modern art history, or how artists’ legacies are built and preserved. It strikes a great balance between accessibility (you don’t need to be an art scholar) and depth (there is meaningful content for those who want to engage more deeply). Taking photos is prohibited except at the end of the journey (exhibit).