The National Art Center, Tokyo
ℹ️ Information
The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) is an art museum located in the Roppongi area of Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the largest art museums in the world and has a collection of over 14,000 works of art. The museum was established in 2007 and is managed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The building itself is an impressive structure, designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa. The museum is composed of two large, curved wings that are connected by an atrium. The building is surrounded by a large garden, which is a great place to relax and enjoy the view of the city.
Inside the museum, visitors can explore a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The permanent collection includes works from the Edo period to the present day, with a focus on Japanese art. This includes painting, sculpture, calligraphy, and crafts. There are also special exhibitions, which focus on specific artists or topics.
The museum also has a library and research center, which is open to the public. Here, visitors can access a variety of books, magazines, and other resources related to the arts.
The museum also offers educational programs for children and adults. These include lectures, workshops, and other activities. There are also special events and programs for families.
The National Art Center, Tokyo is a great place to explore the world of art. With its impressive collection and educational programs, it is a must-see destination for art lovers.
🕒 Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Buy your ticket
🗣️ The National Art Center, Tokyo: Reviews
A place worth visiting, wonderful paintings and accurate drawing as well . ️ There is also a shop
Visited on Weekday Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
There is also kimi no na wa caf
Great place to visit when you’re in Tokyo! Lots of beautiful art pieces, and cool exhibitions. The permanent exhibitions are free but you’ll have to buy tickets for special exhibitions :) the building had cool architecture t
Visited on Weekend Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Not sure …
Gorgeous museum with world beating exhibitions.
Visited the Cai Guo Qiang exhibition .. Super interesting
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time 30–60 min Reservation recommended Not sure …
Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Tons of art and amazing stuff to see. If you’re a student you have discounts at the place.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Very impressive architecture by Kisho kurokawa. Must visit for architects. One of the best art museum that I have visited.
It is large and modern instutution. Well organised, very cheap, with several exhibits at the same time. Few of them were missing explanations for English speakers though.
It’s free to enter the building but you have to pay to see any exhibit. Most of them seem to be around ¥700, and the one I’ve been too was absolutely worth it. Would definitely come back to see more. The cafe and the restaurant are very stylish too
Visited on Weekday Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekend Wait time 10–30 min Reservation recommended No …
For Kimi no Na Wa pilgrims, this is definitely worth visiting.
Visited on Public holiday Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Free enter. The interior of the building like a space ship. And you can enter the public library inside the building for free. There are lot of interesting things to buy for souvenir. The architect of this building is Mr. Kisho Kurokawa. There are lot of museum, gallery, or art center in Tokyo that you can explore. Museum, gallery or art center is good for future investment.
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Food was very enjoyable and service was even better. We were visiting the area from Chicago and wanted a meal and instead got an experience! They treated us like guests in their home rather than patrons at a restaurant. Thank you!
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Only 1 free exhibition but the building itself is nice to go see and take phot
Visited on Weekend Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
I quite enjoyed the current special exhibition - Domani: The Art of Tomorrow. The purpose of this program and exhibition is to nurture the talented Japanese artists by supporting them studying and training abroad. The current exhibition showcased the art works from some of these artist. My favorite is the Prologue from “Noodling in New York” by Akino Kondoh. I like she use cartoon as media and I feel very related probably because I also have been living in New York for quite some time as a so called immigrant. But who are not in New York?! By the way, the building itself is a piece of art work too! Love all the curvy lines.
3 floors of Japanese art exhibits. Free admission and super friendly and helpful staff makes the visit here extremely inviting and pleasant. Lots of Japanese calligraphy and historical paintings, landscapes and other rural scenery depictions. I had hoped to see more sculpture and 3D art, but this is mostly 2D paintings and a lot of historical calligraphy. I spent about 2 to 3 hours here and didn't see everything. I'm not a huge art connoisseur, but I still felt fascinated by the exhibits and if I had more time I likely would have stayed longer and appreciated the visit more. I would go back next time I'm visiting Tokyo.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Went to see the special exhibition of Damien Hirst. The building has an amazing design (including somewhere that was included in ‘Your name’ movie), and the exhibition itself was greatly put into place. Probably going again before it’s over.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait …
I attended a special exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of New York at the National Art Center Tokyo. There were a total of 65 paintings displayed including those by some of the most famous artists in history. As expected, it was a nice exhibit. I was more impressed though not by a painting but by the building itself. The building was designed by Kisho Kurosawa who first came to fame with his futuristic Nakagin capsule building in 1972. The green wavelike façade evokes feelings of nature. The atrium features a ceiling of over eighty feet high making it feel extremely spacious. If you like amazing architecture, this is a place you don’t want to miss.
Some large gallery spaces set inside a modern atrium of curved steel and glass. This exhibitions during my visit didn't happen to be that memorable, but I enjoyed it. Great shop to get souvenirs and gifts that don't suck! Cafe/restaurant with lots of seating.
One of the scene from the famous hit movie in japan, “Your name” is taken at this museum. There are a cafe at each floor. Also, there’s an art library at the third floor. Mainly in Japanese. Reviewed this at 2018. Now here’s the new one. Still classy. Elegant. And photogenic! I recommend you for the visit. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, there’s some time changed for its opening time. So just have to pay some attention.
Located in the center of Roppongi, the building itself is no less of an artwork from the exhibits inside. Huge glass and concrete building hosting an incredible indoor space to countless galleries. Highly recommend checking this place out.
It's really beautiful place and also know as place where Taki and Okudera dated in the movie "Your Name". In the center you can also find a restaurant run by chefs with Michelin stars. (dosen't mean this restaurant have stars) You can enjoy great meals with affordable price.
For art or architecture lovers in Tokyo, this is a must. It was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa who is also famous for designing the iconic concrete Nakagin capsule hotel in Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur International airport amongst other buildings. The center is quite unique in design, but also in operation; it does not have permanent collection. The galleries can be used by organizations that are looking to hold temporary exhibitions. This does mean that visiting is a bit of a hit or miss depending on what’s showing, but I would still suggest a visit, just to see the building. I am not sure if it is permanent, but the Glass Tea House out the front by Tokujin Yoshioka certainly appears to be.
The museum is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever visited and one of the places I would recommend to visit first. The museum provides room for exhibits mainly to less famous artists. Depending on which exhibitions one is able the attend, the artwork might be fantastic and close to the performance of more renowned artists. The pieces of art on display is very diverse and interesting, especially due to vast collection of different styles.
One of the prettiest museums I've ever been to. The design is so unique and pleasing to the eyes, equally a masterpiece of its own aside from the pieces it carries inside. Like most major art galleries in Japan, the NACT (National Art Center Tokyo) carries both traditional and contemporary Japanese art. They also accomodate university graduate program exhibits also, and noteworthy artists (the rest of the museum is free to access, but some major exhibitions are paid.) There are also lockers which you can use to store bags and coats, so you can browse comfortably inside the museum. The deposit will be returned once you have retrieved your items.
Major art venue in Tokyo. Very wide spaces and building itself is worth checking out for it's architecture. Can be very very crowded on weekends , especially when a popular exhibition us about to end. It may be a good idea to get ticket ahead in konbinis or on internet to avoid the gruesome lines just for the ticket counter alone.
I went there during the Roppongi Art Night event and the museum was open until late 10PM and the exhibitions were free!! And there was also performance outside the museum which was awesome... it reminds me that art is something which has the power to touch your heart and bring out your emotions. It was a nice memory for me this year and of course I will come to the Art Night again next year :) I didnt visit the museum during the daytime, hence I cant really comment on their daytime exhibition.
Not alone the exhibitions, the building and the atmosphere are also superb. Definitely worth a visit. There are many small events that you don't need a ticket to get into.
