National Museum and Art Gallery
Central
The National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) in Tokyo is Japan's leading institution dedicated exclusively to Western art. Established in 1959, it was founded to house the extensive collection of Kōjirō Matsukata, an industrialist who amassed masterpieces from the early 20th century. The museum's collection spans paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints from the 14th to early 20th centuries, featuring renowned artists such as Veronese, Rubens, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Pollock. Its main building, designed by the famed Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, is the only example of his work in the Far East and is considered an architectural masterpiece in its own right. The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions, including internationally loaned works, enhancing its cultural significance. As a public institution, it plays a vital role in art education, conservation, and research, offering visitors a unique opportunity to appreciate Western art traditions in Japan.
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Tip: Visit the museum during weekdays or outside peak hours to enjoy a quieter experience. Consider purchasing tickets in advance for special exhibitions, which often feature rare works on loan. The museum offers educational programs and guided tours that enrich the visit. Check the official website for current exhibitions and any visitor guidelines or discounts available for students and seniors.
Interesting facts
- •The museum building is the only example of Le Corbusier's architectural work in the Far East.
- •In 1963, it hosted a groundbreaking exhibition of 450 works by Marc Chagall, with loans from 15 countries including paintings from the Soviet Union.
- •The museum houses approximately 4,500 works, including paintings by masters such as Veronese, Rubens, Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso.
- •The New York Times praised the museum building's artistic significance as rivaling the paintings it contains.
- •The museum was built as a symbol of the resumed diplomatic ties between Japan and France after World War II.
History
The National Museum of Western Art was established on June 10, 1959, to house Kōjirō Matsukata's collection of Western art acquired between 1920 and 1923.
After World War II, the collection was returned to Japan from Europe under the condition that a French architect design the museum.
Le Corbusier was commissioned, and the museum building was completed in March 1959, symbolizing renewed Japan-France diplomatic relations.
Since its opening, the museum has expanded its collection annually and has been active in exhibitions, research, and conservation related to Western art.
Place Guide
Main Building1959
Designed by Le Corbusier, this reinforced concrete structure houses pre-18th-century paintings, including religious works by Veronese, Rubens, and Fragonard. The architecture itself is a key attraction, reflecting modernist design principles.
New WingPost-1959
Dedicated to 19th and early 20th-century French paintings, this wing features works by Delacroix, Courbet, Manet, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, and others, showcasing the evolution of Western art.
Drawings and Prints Collection
The museum's drawing collection focuses on 18th and 19th-century French artists such as Boucher, Fragonard, and Cézanne, while the prints collection includes masterpieces by Dürer, Rembrandt, and Goya, spanning the 15th to early 20th centuries.
Contact
Phone: 325 2405