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Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

ArchitectureArtOpen until 5:30pmFreeUeno Station (JR / Tokyo Metro)

Opened in 1926 as the Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum, this was Japan's first public art museum, founded on a donation from coal magnate Keitaro Sato. Rebuilt in 1975 to a modernist design by architect Kunio Maekawa that sinks much of the building below ground to sit lightly in Ueno Park's greenery, it now hosts major international loan exhibitions alongside a busy calendar of exhibitions organised by artist societies and collectives that rent its galleries. Entry to the building itself is free; special exhibitions charge separate admission.

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Plan Your Visit

Getting there

8-36 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

Nearest station: Ueno Station (JR / Tokyo Metro), Keisei Ueno Station (Keisei), Uguisudani Station (JR)

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Hours

Mon09:30–17:30
Tue09:30–17:30
Wed09:30–17:30
ThuToday09:30–17:30
Fri09:30–20:00
Sat09:30–17:30
Sun09:30–17:30

Admission

Free

Museum entry is free; special exhibitions have separate admission, typically ¥1,200-¥2,400

Nearby

Visitor Information

Is Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is free. Museum entry is free; special exhibitions have separate admission, typically ¥1,200-¥2,400. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum?
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is open Open daily 9:30-17:30 (last admission 17:00), Fridays until 20:00 during special exhibitions. Closed the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month (shifts to the next weekday if that Monday is a national holiday); additional Mondays close during some special exhibitions. Maintenance closures 21-28 Dec 2026 and 12 Jan 2027; New Year closure 29 Dec 2026-3 Jan 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum?
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is located at 8-36 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan, in the Ueno Park area of Tokyo. The nearest stations are Ueno Station (JR / Tokyo Metro), Keisei Ueno Station (Keisei), Uguisudani Station (JR).
What can I see at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum?
Japan's first public art museum, hosting blockbuster loan shows in a Kunio Maekawa modernist building in Ueno Park. Current highlights include Raoul Dufy: Dans Tous Ses États, Views of This Place—Ueno, Omuta, and Buenos Aires, What a Wonderful World: Masterworks from the Musée d'Orsay.
Do I need to book Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in advance?
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Museum entry is free; special exhibitions have separate admission, typically ¥1,200-¥2,400. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 2.0)