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FAQ

Hours and Transportation

QWhat are the museum’s hours? What days do the museum close?
APlease check the information on the General Information page.
QDo you close during the Golden Week holiday in May?
AUsually, the museum is open throughout Golden Week.Please check the information on the “Current Exhibitions” page.
QHow do I get to the museum?
AThe closest train station is JR Ueno Station on the Yamanote Line. Subways of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line, also Keisei Line are accessible. Please see further information on the Access page.
QI’d like to go the museum by car. Do you have parking lot?
AThere is no parking at the museum. Please use pay-parking around Ueno Park.
(Please see the [Parking Guide Map] for details)

Admission fees

QWhat are the museum’s admission fees to view the permanent collection?
APlease check the information on the General Information page.
QAre there any free admission days for the permanent collection exhibition?
AAdmission to the Permanent Collection Galleries is free on Kawasaki Free Sunday (2nd Sunday of each month), International Museum Day (May 18) and Culture Day (November 3).
QDo you have passes or multiple-use tickets?
AThe NMWA Permanent Collection Galleries Passport Ticket is on sale at the NMWA Ticket Office. The ticket can only be used by the person whose name is written on the back of the ticket. This extremely useful ticket allows unlimited visits to the Permanent Collection Galleries during the validity period, and provides discounts at the Museum Café Suiren and the NMWA Museum Shop (except Special Exhibition-related pop-up shops). The Passport Ticket also makes a great gift.
On Sale Dates
May 9, 2023 – February 29, 2024
Sales Location
Admission Ticket Office, NMWA
Price
1,100 yen (tax incl.)
Validity Period
May 9, 2023 – March 31, 2024
Featured discounts
Museum Shop: 5% off all purchases over 3,000 yen (tax incl.) at the Café Suiren.
Restaurant: 5% off all purchases over 3,000 yen (tax incl.) at the Café Suiren.
* Some items in the Museum Shop are excluded from this discount offer. Please see Museum Shop staff for details.

Collection and architecture

QWhat kind of works do you have in your permanent collection?
AOn exhibit are paintings from the pre-18th century old masters, including Veroneze and Rubens, to 20th century French Modern by Picasso and Miro in the Matsukata Collection. Sculptures by Rodin and Maillol are also on display. For further details, please check at the collection page.
QDo you allow visitors to take photos (including digital cameras) or copy the works?
ADetailed copying is not allowed, while taking photos of the collection at the permanent exhibitions is allowed. However, strobe lights and tripods are prohibited.
All photography and videography is forbidden when the galleries are crowded.
Works on loan from other museums cannot be photographed.
QI have taken a photograph of "The Thinker" by Rodin in the museum’s front garden. Is it possible to use this picture?
ANot for any profit-earning activities.
QIs it possible to use images of artworks from the museum’s Web page?
ANot for any profit-earning activities. Please confirm by e-mail or telephone. When you send us an e-mail, please mention your name, organizations and phone numbers.
QHow many hours are required to see the permanent collection exhibition?
AThe average time is 1 to 1.5 hours.
QWhat is the Matsukata Collection?
AWorks collected by Kojiro Matsukata (1865-1950) are known as the Matsukata Collection. For further details, see the Matsukata Collection page.
QWhen was the museum building constructed and who designed it?
AThe National Museum of Western Art was built to house and display the works of the Matsukata Collection, which arrived from France in 1959. At that time, there was only the main building, designed by French architect Le Corbusier. The new wing was built in 1979, and then the special exhibition galleries on the basement floor were built in 1997 under the forecourt.
The latter two buildings were designed by Kunio Maekawa (1905-1986), a student of Le Corbusier.
For details on the buildings, please refer to the Floor Guide.

Exhibitions (special exhibitions)

QDo the special exhibitions travel to other museums?
APlease check the Current Exhibitions page.
QWhat are the admission fees for special exhibitions? Are there advanced or discount tickets?
APlease see the Current Exhibitions page.
QAre there events and lectures related to special exhibitions?
APlease see the Current Exhibitions page for details.
QWho are the co-organizer of the special exhibitions?
APlease see the Current Exhibitions page.
QWhen is the best time to avoid crowds when viewing the special exhibitions?
AIt depends on the exhibition. Usually, weekdays during first half of the exhibition period. Around 9:30 a.m., just after the museum opens its doors, and Friday night after 6 p.m. are the best times.

Various services

QAre there restaurants in the museum?
ACafé Suiren is located in the museum.
QAre picture cards of the permanent collections available?
APicture cards, art books and other items are available at the Museum Shop.
QI’d like to have catalogs of the special exhibitions.
AThe exhibition catalogs are available at the exhibition site. If you prefer to receive these by post, please call or e-mail us. When you send your e-mail, please mention your name, phone number and the title of the catalog you require.
For catalogs of the exhibitions held so far, please see the page “how to purchase exhibition catalogs.”
QDo I have to pay an admission fee to go to the restaurant or museum shop?
ANo. They are accessible without admission fees. Please see the Floor Guide.
QDo you allow babies?
AYes. There are no restrictions. However, if your baby starts crying while in the gallery to the annoyance of other visitors, we may ask you to go out until the crying stops. We hope you appreciate this.
QAre strollers allowed in the NMWA? Do you have rental strollers available?
AYes, strollers are allowed in the NMWA. There are also two strollers available for rental. Please see the Information Desk for details. When the museum is crowded, please refrain from bringing strollers into the museum.
QAre baby changing tables, a nursing room, or baby care services available?
ABaby changing tables are available in restrooms located on the first floor of the main building and the second basement floor of the special exhibition galleries. Please check the location on the Floor Guide. There is no nursing room or baby care services.
QDoes an accompanying person to a disabled person require an admission fee?
ABasically, one companion to a disabled person is admitted free of charge.
Please see the guidance for the Accessibility.
QDo you provide wheelchairs?
AYes. Please ask at the information desk.
QDoes the museum have a supporting group?
ASorry, we do not have any.

Others

QHow many staff there? How many are curators?
AWe have 30 full-time employees including 18 curatorial staff. For more details, please refer to the "Summary of the Natiomal Museum of Western Art". The Summary is available for free browsing in the lobby of main building.
QAre there any openings for staff?
AUpdate of job openings shall be posted on our website.(in Japanese).
please check the link attached.
QDo you invite intern students?
ADetails of internship recruitment is announced on our website.
Please check Education/Research>Education Programs>Internship.
QDo you have a lost and found office?
APlease call or e-mail us at the following number or e-mail address.
Phone) 03-6671-9355 (+81-3-6671-9355) (During opening hours)
E-mail)
For inquiry, please let us know of your name, contact information (phone and/or e-mail address), and the details of your lost property.