Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

In short

The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is a contemporary art museum located inside Kiba Park. It opened in March 1995 to research, collect, and exhibit contemporary art from Japan and abroad, with a focus on postwar Japanese art. It also inherited approximately 3,000 works that had been collected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno. The building was designed by architect Yanagisawa Takahiko.

• ​MOT Collection​​: Introduces the history of modern and contemporary art from Japan and abroad, mainly from 1945 onward, through works in its collection.
• ​Large Exhibition Spaces​​: Features exhibition galleries with ceiling heights that vary by floor, and a 19-meter-high atrium filled with natural light.
• ​Art Library​​: One of the largest specialized art libraries in Japan, housing a collection of modern and contemporary art books, exhibition catalogs, and art magazines.

History and Highlights

The ​Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo​ is a museum located on the north side of Kiba Park. Until its creation, Tokyo lacked a museum that comprehensively and permanently exhibited contemporary art. In response, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government conceptualized its establishment in the 1980s, leading to its opening in March 1995. It researches, collects, preserves, and displays contemporary art from Japan and abroad, centered on postwar Japanese art.

The foundation of the museum was the activities of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park. The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum originally opened in 1926 as the Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum. The approximately 3,000 works and 58,000 books and archival materials collected there were transferred to this museum. Today, these are utilized alongside newly acquired works from Japan and overseas.

The building was designed by architect Yanagisawa Takahiko and completed in 1994. Following a renovation period of about three years starting in 2016, it reopened in March 2019.

Viewing and Experience Tips

• ​MOT Collection​​: The collection primarily features innovative works that pioneered their respective eras. Changing themes periodically, it introduces the history of art from Japan and abroad, mainly from 1945 onward, in the Collection Galleries.
• ​Large Exhibition Spaces​​: The temporary exhibition galleries cover approximately 4,000 square meters across three floors, with ceiling heights differing by floor at 4 meters, 6 meters, and 9 meters. There is also an atrium with a height of 19 meters that lets in natural light. Artworks are presented by taking advantage of these large spaces.
• ​Art Library​​: One of the largest specialized art libraries in Japan, collecting modern and contemporary art books, exhibition catalogs, and art magazines. It also includes a "Children's Library" that gathers art books for children.

Tips for Exploring

The museum is a 9-minute walk from Exit B2 of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line. Entering through the main entrance facing Mitsume-dori Street, you are greeted by an expansive entrance hall with a total length of 140 meters. When the museum first opened, Kiba Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line was the nearest station. For this reason, the interior was designed with the route from Kiba Park to the museum in mind, and there is a Parkside Entrance facing the park near the center of the hall. From the hall, you can also see people spending time in Kiba Park. Approximately 760 meters to the west lies the Koto City Fukagawa Edo Museum, and about 1 kilometer away is the Kiyosumi Gardens.