Programs for General Audiences
*in Japanese, except some lectures and Google Arts & Culture
All NMWA programming is conducted in Japanese. However, some lectures are presented in the preferred language of the speaker. The NMWA Google Arts & Culture section has an English page. Please see the relevant NMWA website Japanese pages for program details and attendance applications. Past programs conducted at the NMWA are listed in the relevant Annual Bulletin of the National Museum of Western Art issues.
(see https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/research/publication.html#annual)
Art Talks
Volunteer Staff members conduct “Art Talk” gallery talks on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of every month. Focusing on five to seven NMWA collection works, these talks are suitable for all visitors, including first-time visitors to the NMWA.
美術トーク

当日受付
- 第1・第3・第5土曜日・日曜日
- 11:00~11:50、13:00~13:50
※実施日はトップページの「カレンダー」をご確認ください。
美術トーク※日本手話通訳つき

当日受付
- 2025年6月7日(土)、8月2日(土)、10月4日(土)、2026年2月7日(土)11:00~11:50
- 11:00~11:50
Friday Night Talks
In addition to “Art Talk” gallery talks held on Saturdays, these Friday Night Talks are held during the NMWA’s late opening hours on Fridays. A Volunteer Staff member chooses three NMWA collection works and gives an approximately ten-minute talk about each work. (No set schedule).
Architectural Tours
Volunteer Staff members lead tours of the NMWA buildings every Wednesday and on first, third and fifth Sundays of every month. Enjoy walking through the Le Corbusier-designed Main Building and Forecourt with a guide. These tours are suitable for all visitors, including those with little knowledge of architecture.
Lectures / Symposia
NMWA curators and invited specialists from Japan and overseas present lectures and participate in symposia related to current exhibitions and set themes.
【オンライン講演会】
川瀬佑介
「国立西洋美術館の古典絵画収集を振り返る」

事前申込
- 2025年5月17日(土)
- 14:00~15:30
【特別講演会】ペペ・カーメル
「ピカソの芸術における非人間化と再人間化、1910-1923年」

事前申込
- 2025年5月21日(水)
- 11:00~12:30
Gallery Talks / Slide Talks
Focusing on current exhibition topics, the NMWA curators and art history graduate students and other scholars present talks in front of the currently displayed works, or slide lectures in the Auditorium.
【スライドトーク】
企画展〈西洋絵画、どこから見るか?〉
※情報保障対応あり※

当日受付
- 3月21日(金)・4月10日(木)・4月17日(木)・4月25日(金)・5月22日(木)・5月30日(金)
- 詳細をご覧ください
※日本手話通訳つき・ヒアリングループ対応※
【スライドトーク】
企画展〈西洋絵画、どこから見るか?〉

当日受付
- 2025年4月25日(金)・5月22日(木)
- 詳細をご覧ください
Workshops
Through various experiential activities, whether creative projects, discussions, or physical activities, these workshops provide visitors with a deeper understanding of art works.
Other Events
The NMWA hosts concerts and various other special events open to all visitors. These events include talks about Christmas-themed works and concerts as part of our “Christmas at the National Museum of Western Art” programming, as well as drop-in programs led by the NMWA Volunteer Staff.
Google Arts & Culture
Here, you can find gallery talk videos by NMWA curators. The nine short videos in “Curators’ Talks on the NMWA Collection, Part I” focus on nine works displayed in the NMWA Main Building, “Curators’ Talks on the NMWA Collection, Part II” presents nine works displayed in the NMWA New Wing. These videos are available in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean versions.
High-resolution, enlarged close-up images show painting and sculpture details and brushwork. You can enjoy looking at those details and listen to a curator give an approximately three-minute explanation of each art work’s highlights. You can also access our “Museum View” video, which provides a walk through the NMWA Main Building (UNESCO registered World Heritage Site) and exhibition galleries. Why not enjoy this great chance to experience the NMWA Main Building’s wonderful architectural space and displayed artworks from the comfort of your own home?