The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
- Published on : 02/10/2026
- by : Clément
- Youtube
Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art
@Wikimedia Commons
MOMA Japanese
The Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art (MOMAT) is Japan's first national art museum, having opened in 1952. Its collections span more than a century of artistic creation, from the late 19th century to the present day. The permanent and temporary exhibitions, which are regularly updated, offer visitors the chance to explore the evolution of Japanese modern art through major works and artists. Explore the museum with the Japan Experience team.
The country's first national museum
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT) was founded in the postwar era. Originally located in the Kyôbashi district, it moved in 1969 to its current building within Kitanomaru Park, near the Imperial Palace. Over the decades, its collections have expanded to reflect the evolution of Japanese artistic creation, from the late 19th century to the present day.
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring Japanese and international artists. Today, MOMAT plays a major role in the preservation of the country’s modern art.
A painting at MOMAT
@Daisuke Sakai on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
A Rich Collection
The MOMAT collection spans more than a century of art history. With over 14,000 pieces, the collection includes both Japanese paintings (nihonga) and Western-style works (yôga), as well as prints, drawings, sculptures, and photographs. Together, these works trace the evolution of Japanese art as artists discovered artistic movements from Europe while developing new forms of expression unique to Japan.
Among the artists represented are some of the leading figures in modern Japanese art, such as Yokoyama Taikan, Kishida Ryûsei, and Yorozu Tetsugorô.
The museum features a selection of approximately 200 works spread across three floors and twelve galleries. This“MOMAT Collection” is regularly updated and frequently offers new ways to explore the exhibitions. This presentation allows visitors to experience the collection differently with each visit, while providing a glimpse into the breadth of the collection.
Portrait by Ryusei Kishida, 1918
@PICRYL, public domain
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Naoshima - Yellow Pumpkin
@JapanExperience
How do I visit MOMAT?
MOMAT is located in the Chiyoda district and is easily accessible via public transportation (exact address: 3-1 Kitanomarukoen, Chiyoda).
The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it remains open until 8:00 p.m. The only day it is closed is Monday.
Admission is 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for students. A discounted rate is also available on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 5:00 p.m. (300 yen per adult and 150 yen per student). Admission to special temporary exhibitions can cost up to 2,000 yen.
Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for a visit. No reservation is required for the permanent exhibition.
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