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Discover the full arc of Japanese modern and contemporary art at the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo — Japan's first national art museum, located near the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda and home to a collection of approximately 14,000 works spanning from the end of the 19th century to the present day. With 18 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties, approximately 200 works on display across 12 themed rooms at any one time, and the famous A Room with a View lounge offering sweeping panoramas over the Imperial Palace grounds, MOMAT is one of the most rewarding and genuinely essential art museum experiences in Tokyo.

Key Highlights

  • Explore approximately 200 works from a collection of 14,000 across 12 chronologically and thematically arranged rooms on floors 2 to 4 
  • Discover 18 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties 
  • Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the Imperial Palace grounds and the Marunouchi skyline from the A Room with a View lounge on the top floor 
  • Follow the dialogue between Western influence and Japanese artistic response 
  • Experience rotating special exhibitions on the first floor in addition to the permanent MOMAT Collection

About National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo Ticket

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo — MOMAT — is Japan's first national art museum, located in central Tokyo near the Imperial Palace. Established in 1952 under the Ministry of Education and expanded twice since to accommodate its growing collection, MOMAT holds approximately 14,000 works of modern and contemporary art — one of the largest and most significant collections of its kind in Asia — and displays approximately 200 of them at any one time across a 3,000-square-metre permanent collection space on floors 2 to 4.

The MOMAT Collection is arranged chronologically across 12 rooms, each with its own specific theme — guiding visitors from the artistic ferment of the Meiji and Taisho eras through the turbulent Showa period and into the extraordinary diversity of post-war and contemporary Japanese art. The collection traces the complex and fascinating dialogue between Japanese artistic tradition and the Western modernism that swept through Japan from the early 20th century — showing how Japanese artists absorbed the lessons of Impressionism, Expressionism, Abstraction, and Conceptualism while developing unmistakably Japanese visual languages alongside them. Works by Western masters including Paul Cézanne, Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse, and Max Ernst appear in conversation with Japanese counterparts, illuminating the mutual influence and contrast that shaped the development of modern art across both cultures.

The Highlights section on the fourth floor presents the most celebrated and prized works in the collection — including the 18 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties that represent the Japanese government's recognition of the works' irreplaceable significance. The top floor lounge — A Room with a View — is one of the most quietly extraordinary spaces in any Tokyo museum, offering a panoramic view of the Imperial Palace's ancient stone walls, moats, and evergreen trees that provides a rare moment of calm and perspective in the heart of the city. Special exhibitions on the first floor rotate regularly and have featured major retrospectives of significant Japanese and international artists — always requiring a separate ticket in addition to the permanent collection admission. Book your National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo ticket now on Thrillark.

Inclusions

  • Full admission to the MOMAT Collection permanent exhibition 
  • Access to the A Room with a View top floor lounge and Imperial Palace panorama
  • Access to the Highlights section featuring Important Cultural Properties
  • Access to the museum shop and reading room

Exclusions

  • Food and beverages 
  • Personal expenses

Insiders' Tips

Start your visit on the fourth floor and work your way down — the Highlights section at the top of the collection sets the tone for the entire visit and features the most celebrated works. Allow time in the A Room with a View lounge before leaving — the Imperial Palace panorama is best appreciated with a cup of tea from the museum cafe and unhurried quiet. Visit on a Tuesday through Friday morning for the smallest crowds and the most peaceful gallery experience.

Additional Information

Operating Hours
  • 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Closed on Mondays
Child Policy
  • Children and students aged 18 and under: free admission to the permanent collection
  • Valid student ID or age verification may be required
Accessibility & Facilities
  • Fully wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible lifts and wide pathways throughout all gallery floors
  • Museum shop and reading room available
  • Cafe available on site
Restrictions
  • Special exhibitions require a separate additional ticket beyond the permanent collection admission
  • Closed during exhibition installation periods between exhibitions
  • Audio guide not included 
  • Photography policies vary by exhibition

Cancellation Policy

  • Tickets are Cancellable

National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo Ticket Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo?
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo — MOMAT — is Japan's first national art museum, established in 1952 and located in Chiyoda near the Imperial Palace. It holds approximately 14,000 works of modern and contemporary art and displays around 200 at any one time across 12 themed rooms tracing Japanese art from the Meiji Period to the present day, alongside 18 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties.
What is the MOMAT Collection and what can I see?
The MOMAT Collection is the permanent exhibition displayed across floors 2 to 4 — approximately 200 works arranged chronologically across 12 rooms covering Japanese modern and contemporary art from the 1880s to the present. The collection includes Important Cultural Properties, Nihon-ga paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works that trace the complex dialogue between Japanese artistic traditions and Western modernism.
What are the Important Cultural Properties at MOMAT?
MOMAT holds 18 works nationally designated as Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government — the highest level of recognition for artistic works in Japan, acknowledging their irreplaceable cultural significance. These include twelve Nihon-ga paintings and five oil paintings by artists including Yokoyama Taikan and Kishida Ryusei, displayed in the Highlights section on the fourth floor of the permanent collection.
What is A Room with a View at MOMAT?
A Room with a View is the lounge on the top floor of MOMAT — a beautifully positioned space offering sweeping panoramic views over the Imperial Palace's ancient stone walls, moats, and evergreen trees as well as the Marunouchi skyline. It is one of the most tranquil and unexpectedly beautiful spaces at any Tokyo museum and is consistently cited by visitors as a highlight of the entire experience.
Is entry to special exhibitions at MOMAT included in the ticket?
No — special exhibitions on the first floor require a separate additional ticket beyond the permanent collection admission. Prices vary by exhibition and must be purchased separately at the ticket counter. The permanent collection ticket covers all 12 rooms across floors 2 to 4, the Highlights section, and the A Room with a View lounge.
What is the best way to explore the MOMAT Collection?
Starting on the fourth floor and working your way down chronologically is the recommended approach — the Highlights section at the top of the collection presents the most celebrated works and sets the context for the journey through Japanese art history from the Meiji era onwards. Allow at least two hours to appreciate the full collection and reserve time in the A Room with a View lounge before leaving.
Is MOMAT suitable for visitors who are not familiar with Japanese art?
Yes — the collection's chronological layout and clear thematic organisation across 12 rooms make it highly accessible for visitors new to Japanese modern art. The dialogue between Western artistic influences and Japanese responses provides a familiar entry point, and the presence of works by Western masters including Cézanne, Matisse, and Bonnard alongside Japanese counterparts gives helpful context. English translations accompany the artworks throughout the permanent collection.
When is MOMAT free to enter?
MOMAT offers free admission to all visitors on International Museum Day on May 18 and Culture Day on November 3 each year — unless these dates fall on a day when the museum is closed. Children and students aged 18 and under, adults aged 65 and above, and individuals with disabilities and one companion also receive free admission on all standard operating days.
How do I get to the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo?
The easiest access is by Tokyo Metro Tozai Line to Takebashi Station — a 3-minute walk to the museum entrance. Kudanshita Station on multiple metro lines is also a reasonable walk away. The museum is adjacent to Kitanomaru Park and close to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, making it easy to combine with a relaxed walk through these beautiful green spaces before or after your visit.
Do I need to book National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended during popular special exhibition periods and on weekends when the museum attracts its highest visitor numbers. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 15% on the standard permanent collection rate with instant confirmation. Always check the official MOMAT website before visiting to confirm the museum is open and no installation closure is in effect on your intended visit date.

Ratings & Reviews

National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo Ticket

USD 3.51

Insiders’ Tips

Start your visit on the fourth floor and work your way down — the Highlights section at the top of the collection sets the tone for the entire visit and features the most celebrated works. Allow time in the A Room with a View lounge before leaving — the Imperial Palace panorama is best appreciated with a cup of tea from the museum cafe and unhurried quiet. Visit on a Tuesday through Friday morning for the smallest crowds and the most peaceful gallery experience.

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