The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo
The National Museum of Western Art was established to provide the Japanese an opportunity to appreciate art from the West. It is the only museum in Japan that is wholly devoted to displaying works of European masters.
The National Museum of Western Art was the result of a vision of the Kawasaki shipping magnate and art collector, Matsukata Kojiro. He was not only a collector of art but a personal friend of western artists like Claude Monet. It was his dream to establish a museum in his country to encourage the appreciation of western art. The building was designed by the French architect, Le Corbusier. The Matsukata collection formed its initial permanent exhibits. It was opened for public viewing in 1959.
The National Museum of Western Art has 4500 paintings and sculpture by major European artists from the 14th to the 20th century. The main hall has works from the 14th to the 18th century including works by Veronese and Reubens portraying Christian imagery. The new wing has paintings by 19th and 20th century artists like Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso. The drawing collection includes sketches by Boucher, Moreau, Rodin and Cezanne and there is an impressive collection of prints by artists from the 15th century to the 20th century.
The National Museum of Western Art was the result of a vision of the Kawasaki shipping magnate and art collector, Matsukata Kojiro. He was not only a collector of art but a personal friend of western artists like Claude Monet. It was his dream to establish a museum in his country to encourage the appreciation of western art. The building was designed by the French architect, Le Corbusier. The Matsukata collection formed its initial permanent exhibits. It was opened for public viewing in 1959.
The National Museum of Western Art has 4500 paintings and sculpture by major European artists from the 14th to the 20th century. The main hall has works from the 14th to the 18th century including works by Veronese and Reubens portraying Christian imagery. The new wing has paintings by 19th and 20th century artists like Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso. The drawing collection includes sketches by Boucher, Moreau, Rodin and Cezanne and there is an impressive collection of prints by artists from the 15th century to the 20th century.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
The National Museum of Western Art on Map
Sight Name: The National Museum of Western Art
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan
Create Your Own Walk in Tokyo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tokyo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Yanaka Walking Tour
A bit away from Downtown Tokyo, Yanaka is a hidden spot with a lot to offer. This neighborhood is known for its narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, and old-style shops. Having largely escaped the damage of World War II, Yanaka exudes the last-century charm of Tokyo's old town ambiance.
With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Ginza Shopping Tour
Often compared with New York's Fifth Avenue, Ginza is the most luxurious shopping district in Tokyo. Its two main avenues running through the area, Chuo-dori Street and Harumi-dori Street, are lined with high-end boutiques, enormous department stores, and flagship stores of renowned international brands carrying a wealth of merchandise, from fashion and jewelry to electronics and cosmetics.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Shibuya Walking Tour
The Shibuya district is a shopping and entertainment mecca for fashion-conscious and trendy teenagers. Synonymous with Japan's youth vogue and fun in general, the streets of Shibuya are lined with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs. On weekends, crowds of youngsters converge here, dressed up in a myriad of colors and styles, set out to socialize and have a good time.
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tokyo Imperial Palace Walking Tour
The Imperial Palace, the residence of the Japanese Emperor, is a vast expanse of green in the heart of Tokyo, surrounded by moats. The palace stands on the site previously occupied by the Edo Castle, in the 17th–19th centuries. While the royal residential compound is closed for visitors (except for two days a year – January 1st and December 23rd), a big part of the palace grounds, including... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Asakusa District Walking Tour
The Asakusa district is one of the few places in Tokyo that retains the old world's charm. Known as Tokyo's oldest geisha district, this neighborhood houses narrow streets, temple markets, traditional shops and restaurants that collectively create the air of old Tokyo.
At the heart of Asakusa, you'll find the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a helpful starting point... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
At the heart of Asakusa, you'll find the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a helpful starting point... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Ueno Park Walking Tour
Ueno Park, found next to the Ueno subway station in Tokyo, is a sprawling urban oasis. Home to more than 1,000 cherry trees, each year during the cherry blossom season (between late March and early April) it becomes a site of pilgrimage equally popular with locals and tourists.
One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the Saigo Takamori Statue, which pays tribute to the legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the Saigo Takamori Statue, which pays tribute to the legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Eclectic Bars of Tokyo
Time to tap glasses and share laughs in Tokyo, a city of wondrous variety! In this app is an insider's guide to attractive drinking bars, and places nearby that are worthy experiences (theatres, shrines, shopping districts, etc).
Each bar has been carefully chosen throughout this endless...
Tokyo Souvenirs: 18 Authentic Japanese Products to Buy in Tokyo
The list of the delights of Tokyo is long and being exposed to just some of them, at some point, can make one addicted (just as the Charles Winchester III character from the M.A.S.H. series). Still, you can always "prolong" the experience and enjoy the effects of it more, if bring home...
12 Must-Try Traditional Japanese Foods in Tokyo
Cuisine is an integral part of any local culture, and no trip to Tokyo is complete without tasting the authentic, Tokyo-made Japanese food. This directory offers information about the traditional dishes and drinks available in Tokyo to help visitors better understand the local food culture and make...
Authentic Japanese Dining in Tokyo
Tokyo is home to literally a million eating places, so finding a truly authentic Japanese style restaurant with an English language menu can be rather tricky. We have compiled a list of easy to find Japanese style restaurants covering a range of culinary specialties to make your taste-buds tingle...