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[Additional seats planned] Ticket applications for the stage production “Don’t be silent, move, breathe” where deaf and hearing people meet will begin on Monday, September 1st at 10:00 AM!

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

General supervision by Katsuhiko Hibino, President of Tokyo University of the Arts
Deaf and hearing artists interact with each other, and this process is the basis for
An original story is created and performed.

We are pleased to announce that ticket applications for the stage production "Don't be silent, move, breathe," in which deaf and hearing people encounter each other, will begin at 10:00 on Monday, September 1st .
"Don't be silent, move, breathe" is being created in collaboration with deaf and hearing people since 2023 as part of the cultural program for the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which will be held in Tokyo this autumn.
This production features two towns: "Mist Town," where sign language is the language of the town, and "One Hundred Layers," where Japanese is the language of the town. The residents of the two towns do not understand each other's languages. Just like the characters, the audience can enjoy the process from their seats as they start out in a state of "not understanding" and gradually begin to communicate as they try to get to know each other.

Performance details

【title】
TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program
"Don't be silent, move, breathe" is a stage production where deaf and hearing people meet.

[Performance Date and Time]
Saturday, November 29, 2025, 15:00 Doors open 14:00 (Pre-talk from 14:45)

【venue】
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Large Hall (5-45 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

[Cast]

Abe Aiko, Iizuka Daishu, Ikeda Momoka, Ishida Michiko, Itabashi Renpei, Ueda Ai, Utoda Chiharu, Ohashi Yuta, Okumura Yasuto, Ono Kanon, Onosato Mitsuko, Kikuchi Ken, Kurashima Satoshi, Kondo Tatsuya, Sato Moe, Sano Kazumi, Takayanagi Ayumi, Tsunoda Risa, Narutsuka Motoka, Hayashi Daigo, Honma Chiemi, Mitsuhashi Raku, Murata Yuko, Moe Fumi, Yaotani Rie, Nicholas Yuyama, Yoshida Miyuki, Leo, Nishiwaki Masago.

【staff】
General Supervision: Hibino Katsuhiko Composition and Direction: Makihara Eri Direction: Shimaji Yasutake Dramaturg: Shizukukyo, Nagashima Kaku
Staging Director: Yo Nakamura Music Creation Staff: Masago Nishiwaki
Music Supervision: Fuyuko Fukunaka Set Design: Ai Harada Lighting: Ayumi Kido Music: Ryuichi Ono, Tan Igawa Sound: Raku Nakahara Stage Visuals: Satoshi Kuriyama Costumes: Kumiko Takeda Hair & Makeup: Ruu Assistant Directors: Hidetada Tashiro, Miki Nakamura, Tomoka Yamada Stage Director: Hidemine Yamaguchi

【story】
In a town surrounded by fog, a ceremony to celebrate the founding of the nation is taking place, when a man wanders into the town.
He had come through the fog from another town.
This "Mist Town" is a floating, moving town. In a world without the concept of sound, language is physical.
It has developed its own unique culture, and everything is designed to be convenient for the town's residents.
Over the years, they periodically approach the "other town," but are obscured by fog and remain unaware of each other.
A man who has wandered in is captivated by the ceremony, which is accompanied by music.
He eventually becomes friends with the three residents and begins living in the town.
Two years later, the man invites the three to "another town."
The city's name is "Hyakusō." It is a megalopolis with high-rise buildings and a highly centralized urban area. It has a developed culture of sound and its language is also phonetic.
On the other hand, noise problems have become serious due to overpopulation, and there is a demand for extreme silence.
The man returns after two years and shows the three around the town.
Through their encounters with various residents of the Hundred Floors, the four eventually end up participating in a concert…

Official website: https://duk-tokyoforward2025.jp/
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duk-tokyoforward2025/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duk_tokyoforward2025/

[Organizer]
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts

Ticket application

【ticket】
All seats reserved, free (advance registration required, first come first served)
After your application is received, we will contact you by email or postcard with your seat number at least one week before the performance.

[How to apply]
Please apply from 10:00 on Monday, September 1st using one of the following methods.
①Application form https://pro.form-mailer.jp/fms/6b38097f334471
②Return postcard application deadline: October 31st (Friday) postmark valid
Please fill in your address, name, contact information (e.g., phone number), and desired viewing support (deaf theater area, subtitles, hearing loop, audio guide), and send it to the address below.
Send to: Sumitomo Fudosan Azabu-Juban Building 4F, 1-4-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073
Lights Apartment Co., Ltd. "Don't be silent, move, breathe" performance office
If you would like to attend the performance as a group (10 or more people), please contact the performance office.
*Due to popular demand, tickets are sold out.
They are considering increasing the number of seats and will announce on their official website by early October when applications will resume, so please wait for the announcement.

*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
*The front seats on the first floor are a viewing area for deaf people where the sign language on stage can be easily seen.
* Loud sounds will be heard in some scenes. Earplugs will be provided at the venue if you wish.
Please check the official website for details .

[Viewing support]
● Subtitles (Spoken dialogue is displayed as subtitles. Sign language dialogue is not supported.)
For this performance, subtitle support will be available using the free app "HELLO! Theater."
For more information, please visit the following URL: https://www.hellotheater.info/
Hearing group (reservations required, first come first served, limited seating area)
● Audio guide (reservation required, first come first served, limited availability)
Visual information such as the state of the stage and the movements of the performers will be conveyed through audio.
● Free area
There are free areas within the auditorium where you can sit if you want to move seats temporarily or if it is difficult to return to your seat during the performance.
● Lobby rest area
If you need a break during the show, you can take one in the lobby.
Childcare service (reservations required, fees apply, limited availability)
Event Childcare/Mothers: (0120-788-222) Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, November 21st.
*If you are coming with a wheelchair, assistance dog, or require other assistance, please contact the event office in advance.

[Venue map and access]
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (5-45 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Approximately 1 minute walk from the Park Gate of JR Ueno Station
Approximately 5 minutes' walk from Exit 7 of Tokyo Metro Ueno Station
Approximately 7 minutes walk from the main ticket gate of Keisei Ueno Station
*Tokyo Bunka Kaikan does not have a dedicated parking lot for customers. Please use a nearby paid parking lot.

[Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture] Press release

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Tokyo’s Ueno Park – Over 200 dahlias of 100 varieties will adorn the autumn gardens at the “Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden Special Festival: Dahlias in the Autumn Garden” from Saturday, September 20 to Monday, November 3, 2025.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Dahlias with a variety of flower shapes blooming under the shade of a Japanese umbrella.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine (located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo), which was built as a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Yoshimune, and Tokugawa Yoshinobu, will be holding the “Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden Special Festival: Autumn Dahlia Garden” from Saturday, September 20th to Monday, November 3rd, 2025, where over 200 dahlias of 100 varieties will decorate the garden in autumn. The best viewing time is expected to be around mid-October, when the heat subsides.
This event, which began in 2016, will be held for the 10th time this year.

During the event, daily flowering information will be posted on Instagram.
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utbotanen_official/

 

■More than 200 dahlias of 100 species with a wide variety of flower colors and appearances Dahlias are bulbous plants of the Asteraceae family native to Mexico. They were introduced to Japan during the Edo period and are given the Japanese name “Tenjikubotan” (Indian peony) because they resemble peonies.
Please take your time to enjoy the vibrantly blooming dahlia flowers, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Cheating

・A rare variety with a whimsical mix of deep red, peach, and white flowers

 

Black Butterfly

– A variety that sparked the popularity of dahlias with its deep red color tinged with black.

 

Mary Evelyn

– A variety in which smaller petals overlap inside the evenly arranged petals.

 

■Authentic Edo architecture and peonies, including the “Five-story Pagoda of the Former Kan’ei-ji Temple” Within the garden, you can enjoy dahlias blooming under Japanese umbrellas, surrounded by an Edo-style atmosphere, combined with the five-story pagoda of the Former Kan’ei-ji Temple and the stone lanterns lining the approach to Toshogu Shrine.

Last year’s situation
Dahlias and five-story pagoda


■There are plenty of other photo spots!
Along with flowers such as dahlias, we also offer seasonal displays, mixed plantings, bonsai, and more.

Seasonal arrangements
Dahlia floating in water

 

■Flowers that bloom along with the dahlias <br />In addition to dahlias, seasonal flowers such as burnet, Japanese laurel, and cosmos bloom in the garden, and there are many other things to see.

Burntwood
Fujibakama
Cosmos

 

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Peony Garden Special Festival: Dahlias in the Autumn Garden Event Details Period: Saturday, September 20, 2025 to Monday, November 3, 2025 (national holiday) *Open daily during the period Opening hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm (last entry)
Admission fee: Adults (junior high school students and above) 800 yen, admission ticket for the event period 2,000 yen, free for elementary school students and younger Organizer: Ueno Tourism Federation General Incorporated Association Supporter: Taito Ward Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo 110-0007
TEL: 03-3822-3575 (Peony Garden)
Access: 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station, 5-minute walk from the Ikenohata Exit of Keisei Electric Railway Keisei Ueno Station, 10-minute walk from Exit 2 of Tokyo Metro Nezu Station

____________________________________________________________________

■Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden <br />The Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden was opened in April 1980 to commemorate friendship between Japan and China, on the grounds of Ueno Toshogu Shrine, which enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu as its deity. Currently, 500 peonies of 110 varieties are cultivated in the strolling Japanese garden in spring, and 160 peonies of 40 varieties are cultivated in winter.
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Ueno is lush with greenery, so you can enjoy the peonies at your leisure while immersing yourself in the Edo atmosphere.

Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
TEL: 03-3822-3575 (Peony Garden)
Access: 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station; 5-minute walk from the Ikenohata Exit of Keisei Electric Railway Keisei Ueno Station; 10-minute walk from Exit 2 of Tokyo Metro Nezu Station. Official website: https://uenobotanen.com/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utbotanen_official/

 

[Toshogu Shrine] Press release

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[Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum] Report on “The Joy of Making: DIY for Living.” A chance to develop your own DIY spirit.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Installation view, Dunhill & O’Brien “Means and Devices for Appreciating the ABCs – Mata Iroha” 2025

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is currently hosting an exhibition titled “The Joy of Making: DIY for Living,” which focuses on the creativity that everyone possesses and encourages people to think about how to “live better” in their own way. The exhibition is themed around DIY (Do It Yourself) and will run from Thursday, July 24, 2025 to Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Here is a report on the press preview where the exhibiting artists gave lectures.

■ Exhibiting artists (in order of exhibition/titles omitted): Wakaki Kurumi, Seo Natsumi, Noguchi Kengo, Dunhill & O’Brien, Hisamura Taku, Ito Akihiro Design and Architectural Design Office, Studio Megane Architectural Design Office

Exhibition view

 

DIY is an approach that involves using one’s own ingenuity to solve the problems at hand. This exhibition sees DIY as both a way to live better and a means to overcome inconveniences and difficulties, focusing on the “joy of making” such as the realizations and sense of accomplishment that come along with the process. Presenting works by five contemporary artists and two architects who are interested in DIY methods and ideas, the exhibition encourages reflection on the nature of DIY, which relies on one’s own methods and sensibilities, and the existence of art, which is closely connected to life.

The venue is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1, “DIY that starts with seeing,” displays the works of printmaker Kurumi Wakaki (1985-), who finds creative impetus in “seeing,” the very beginning of DIY, and reuses everyday items such as stationery, kitchen utensils, empty cans, and furniture as engravings.

Exhibition view
Exhibition view, on the left is Wakaki Kurumi’s “CAN Bell Soup” (2024)

The “Tube Opening” series , which uses raw lacquer tubes to create the shape of fish fillets, was inspired by the way artisans open tubes of expensive raw lacquer to use up every last bit. The unique texture of the tubes expresses their unevenness and shine, giving the “fish print” a mysterious charm. Through such experimental acts, the artist is able to inject new images and meanings into ordinary everyday items, while also presenting the joy of creativity in a humorous way that is accessible to everyone.

From left: Wakaki Kurumi “Nodoguro”, “Filled Horse Mackerel”, “Filled Flounder” 2024
Wakagi Kurumi (High-rise Apartment) 2025

The ceiling-reaching “High-Street Mansion” (2025) is a work made from a refrigerator that Wakagi has been using for over 20 years since he first began living alone. As the refrigerator was nearing the end of its life, he “decided to put an end to it myself by making a print,” and so he used it for this exhibition.

The idea for the piece came from a ticket to an exhibition of German painter Paul Klee that was taped to a refrigerator. The ticket itself is incorporated into the piece, creating a Cubist-style tower apartment building reminiscent of Klee’s work, which is captivating with its musical sensibility and poetic, colorful world.

Wakaki Kurumi “The Last Printer” 2025
From left: Wakaki Kurumi, “My Meta Print by Me” 2025, “Face Print” 2018

 

Chapter 2, “DIY: Rebuilding After Loss,” features works by Seo Natsumi and Noguchi Kengo , which focus on the efforts of people who have lost much due to natural disasters or economic hardship to rebuild their lives anew.

Natsumi Seo (1988-), a Tokyo native, moved to Tohoku after the Great East Japan Earthquake and is an artist who creates a wide variety of works while recording the words of people living with the disaster and the changes in the landscape.The space in this exhibition is centered around drawings and paintings.

The opening piece , Ring (2011), was painted on the night of the disaster, but he couldn’t understand why “it turned out to be the same lines as yesterday.” From there, he said, he went to the actual site and thought about what he should paint with sincerity while interacting with local people.

Natsumi Seo “Ring” 2011
Exhibition view
Exhibition view, on the left is Natsumi Seo’s “Beautiful Place” (2015)

In 2015, Seo witnessed the process of raising the ground as part of the reconstruction of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, and the familiar mountains being cut down and the remains of the town being filled in, which made him realize the need for a story. This chapter also features a number of drawings related to “The Double Town,” a story about Rikuzentakata in 2031, where the people of the old town and the people of the new town, who live underground, are connected.

Natsumi Seo “Double Town” 2015
From left: Natsumi Seo, “Blooming Underground” and “Continuing to the Faraway” 2015

This image of a “double town” has inspired him whenever he travels to various places that have experienced disaster, including areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and has led to unexpected connections with people and places, creating opportunities for dialogue in which they can share their experiences and thoughts. Amid irreversible change, a place is created for memories and thoughts that are no longer spoken, and these are then picked up by someone else and used to support their lives. With words that empathize with loneliness, he conveys to viewers the potential of the activities that connect people in small communities.

Exhibition view

Photographer Kengo Noguchi (1984-) is exhibiting his “Hermitage People” series , which he photographed while visiting people who have built their own unique living spaces along riverbanks and in parks. These “hermitages,” created from a bricolage of recycled materials and blue tarps, are diverse in design and appearance, with some people living there for economic reasons and others continuing to live there of their own choosing. However, each one reveals a variety of ingenuity and creativity, conveying a straightforward yet earnest “DIY for survival” spirit and the resilience of the people involved.

Kengo Noguchi, “People of the Hermitage, Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture,” 2014

Noguchi has visited the same place many times over the course of his 10 years of research, and one series in the exhibition focuses on a single man and his “hermitage” using the same composition, documenting their changes.

Kengo Noguchi, “People of the Hermitage, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo” 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015

“Some people may not have changed at all when you visit next, while others may look like they’ve aged. Or, even in the same hut, people may change residences like hermit crabs. Or, someone may have built their own home with DIY, only to have it blown away in an instant by a typhoon. These are the kinds of people who go about their daily lives in the corners of the city. The huts are, ultimately, temporary accommodations, living from day to day. I hope that people who look at the artwork will also think about what it means to live.” (Noguchi)

From top: Kengo Noguchi, “People of the Hermitage, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture” 2016, “People of the Hermitage, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, After Typhoon No. 21” 2018

 

Chapter 3, “DIY Forms and Relationships,” introduces Dunhill & O’Brien and Taku Hisamura, who are engaged in a variety of expressive activities based on a sculptural approach , emphasizing the process by which the “forms” they create give rise to new “relationships” with people and society.

London-based artist duo Dunhill & O’Brien are inspired by the challenges and possibilities of collaboration, creating original installations and incorporating performances and collaborative work. All of the works on display are new creations prepared specifically for this exhibition. The starting point for this new project was their encounter with Mogami Toshiyuki’s Iroha Ni Ho He Tochirinuru Wowaka Yotare Sotsune….n, an outdoor sculpture based on the Iroha song and housed in the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, where they were impressed by the relationship between form and words. (The work can be viewed free of charge.)

From there, we gathered over 100 participants from a variety of backgrounds, including artists, scientists, musicians, and writers, in the UK and Japan, and held workshops where they created clay sculptures based on texts describing outdoor sculpture. All of the clay works created through remote “dialogue” were digitized and 3D printed, and then launched as a “library of shapes” at the venue.

“Library of Forms” Exhibition, Dunhill & O’Brien “Means and Devices for Appreciating the ABCs – Mata Iroha” 2025
“Library of Forms” Exhibition, Dunhill & O’Brien “Means and Devices for Appreciating the ABCs – Mata Iroha” 2025

Furthermore, by mashing up these data sets, he created a 3D maquette (model) as a whole. He then installed a pantograph, a device used in the 19th century to enlarge sculptures, and enlarged the 3D maquette to roughly the same size as the outdoor sculpture, completing the large-scale installation “Means and Devices for Appreciating the ABCs – Mata Iroha” (2025).

Dunhill & O’Brien, “Means and Devices for Appreciating the ABCs – Mata Iroha,” 2025

What appears to be a pedestal is a full-scale replica of Dunhill & O’Brien’s studio in London. The pair describe it as a “raft for practice,” serving as a pedestal, a place of production, and a home-like space. In the exhibition, a pantograph is placed on top of the studio-style “raft,” which functions as a complex tool for creating sculptures.

Taku Hisamura (1977-), a graduate of the Sculpture Department at Tama Art University, is an artist who questions the ever-changing value of art, moving back and forth between institutional frameworks. There are no sculptures in the exhibition that could be called typical sculptures. Hisamura’s search for ways to distance himself from academic sculpture, which he describes as “strict and athletic,” led him to adopt materials that emphasize lightness and ease of strain on the body and mind, as well as DIY and handicraft techniques that are on the fringes of art.

Hisamura mainly works on parergon (structural elements that make a work of art possible), such as pedestals, frames, and exhibition spaces.

Taku Hisamura “PLUS_Ralph Lauren_yellow striped shirts” 2025

For example, the “wearable sculpture” PLUS_Ralph Lauren_yellow striped shirts (2025) is a work made from secondhand Ralph Lauren clothing. The base is embroidered onto the logo on the chest, creating a sculpture, but Hisamura felt that this alone would not take it beyond the realm of handicraft, so he framed the embroidery to create a painterly effect. In addition, he created a mandrel on a rotating platform, placed the shirt on it, and installed a stepped base made from recycled waste materials, emphasizing its artistic quality through a four-layered construction.

Taku Hisamura “PLUS_Ralph Lauren_yellow striped shirts” 2025

The “One Point Structure” series , made from hurdles donated from a closed school and A-type barricades used at construction sites, has bench-like bases that encourage visitors to sit down without realizing they are sculptures. This is a way to resolve the dilemma faced by art museums, which want visitors to enjoy the art they see, but tend to have few places to sit and rest.

Exhibition view, in the foreground is Taku Hisamura’s “One Point Structure 7” 2022-2024

The bar counter-like space , Textile Bar at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (2025), was created as a place to generate communication and encourage longer stays at the museum. Every Friday, an event is held here where visitors can order their favorite weaving yarn and fabric, just like choosing a drink at a bar, and create their own original textile. (Advance reservations required.)

Takashi Hisamura《Textile Bar at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum》2025

The threads used are a variety of items, including those provided by craft thread manufacturers and pieces made from shredded old clothes. It is said that some of the threads were curtains from an exhibition previously held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Weaving these threads with the artist’s own hands while recalling the memories they bring to life promises to be a rich experience, typical of this exhibition.

 

Chapter 4, “DIY Station – Try it yourself!” , is a platform for visitors to reflect on the exhibits and think about DIY anew, using the diverse approaches and ingenuity seen in Chapters 1 through 3 as reference points.

Exhibition view

The space was designed by two teams of architects , Ito Akihiro Design and Studio Megane Architects , and has a theme of “observation and contemplation.” As a symbol of this, a “DIY Timeline” has been displayed in the center of the space, which summarizes historical activities from the perspective of the DIY spirit, starting with the Arts and Crafts movement that emerged as a counter to the Industrial Revolution.

DIY timeline

Around the exhibition, there are corners where you can experience the creative techniques and approaches of the exhibiting artists, as well as displays of materials related to DIY and the artists. For example, Dunhill & O’Brien has created a device that allows visitors to reach into a box and observe the sculpture inside with their hands, in response to their desire to “touch and feel” the sculpture.

Exhibition view

Following the guidance of “Tsukurun,” the exhibition facilitators, who were members of the public, participants took turns explaining the characteristics of the sculpture inside the box, while the other created a picture based on the explanation.It was a lot of fun to see how the same sculpture could produce completely different pictures depending on the texture, shape, and words each participant focused on.

There are also a number of other exhibits that encourage making, talking, and thinking, such as a corner where Wakaki Kurumi carves a block out of discarded pillar wood, and visitors can turn it into a work of art using frottage (a technique in which paper is placed on a textured surface and then rubbed with a pencil or similar to transfer a pattern).Through this exhibition, visitors may encounter various impulses and emotions, such as things they want to try, things that are bothering them, things they want to solve, and this may lead to the birth of original DIY projects.

Overview of “The Joy of Making: DIY for Living”

Dates July 24th (Thursday) – October 8th (Wednesday), 2025
venue Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Gallery A, B, C
Opening hours 9:30-17:30, 9:30-20:00 on Fridays *Entry is until 30 minutes before closing
Closed days Monday, September 16th (Tuesday)
*However, the office will be open on Monday, August 11th (national holiday), Monday, September 15th (national holiday), and Monday, September 22nd.
Admission fee (tax included) Adults: 1,100 yen / University and vocational school students: 700 yen / 65 years and older: 800 yen / Free for those under 18 and high school students

* Free admission for those who have a Physical Disability Certificate, Love Certificate, Rehabilitation Certificate, Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate, or Atomic Bomb Survivor Health Certificate, and their accompanying person (up to one person).
*Those under 18 years old, high school, university, or vocational school students, those over 65 years old, and those with various types of certificates must present proof of their identity.
*No advance reservations are required. However, admission may be restricted during peak hours.
For further details, please check the official exhibition website.
Organizer Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
inquiry 03-3823-6921
Exhibition official website https://www.tobikan.jp/diy/

*The content of this article is current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.

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[National Museum of Western Art] Report on the “Nationalmuseum of Sweden Drawing Collection Exhibition – From Renaissance to Baroque.” Enjoy the vivid brushwork of the masters

National Museum of Western Art
Cornelis Visser "Sleeping Dog" National Museum of Art

The National Museum of Western Art (Ueno Park, Tokyo) is hosting an exhibition titled "Nationalmuseum Drawing Collection: From Renaissance to Baroque ," showcasing approximately 80 masterpieces from the Nationalmuseum, which boasts one of the world's finest collections of drawings, including works by Dürer and Rubens. The exhibition will run from July 1 to September 28, 2025.

Exhibition view of "Nationalmuseum Drawing Collection: From Renaissance to Baroque," National Museum of Western Art, 2025

The Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the oldest art museums in Europe, and was founded on the art collection of the Swedish royal family. It houses a wide range of art, crafts, and design from the Middle Ages to the present day, but its collection of drawings is considered one of the best in the world in terms of both quality and quantity.

A sketch (drawing, drawing) is a two-dimensional work that primarily consists of line drawings using pen, charcoal, chalk, etc. to express the contours, texture, light and shade of a subject. There are various purposes for creating sketches, such as quickly capturing an idea or honing one's skills, but because sketches are often linked to the process of formulating a concept for a painting or sculpture, writers of the 16th and 17th centuries regarded them as the basis for all forms of art and highly valued them.

The great appeal of sketches is that they allow viewers to experience an intimate sense of being present at the creative process, as they directly sense the artist's thoughts and traces of his hand, and also reveal a sense of momentum that is not present in real works, which require careful brushstrokes.

This exhibition conveys the unique characteristics and appeal of drawings from the Renaissance to the Baroque period, showcasing a total of 84 works, including 81 masterpieces on loan from the Nationalmuseum's drawing collection and three related works from the National Museum of Western Art.

Drawings are a medium that is highly susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, as well as light and vibration. This is the first time that works from the collections of overseas art museums have been brought together in Japan on such a large scale.

An introduction that explains "what is a sketch?"
Exhibition view of "Nationalmuseum Drawing Collection: From Renaissance to Baroque," National Museum of Western Art, 2025
The materials used in the drawing are also explained in detail.
Exhibition view of "Nationalmuseum Drawing Collection: From Renaissance to Baroque," National Museum of Western Art, 2025

The exhibition is divided into four chapters, showcasing works by region of production: Italy, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The first chapter focuses on Italy, which continued to be a brilliant center of art during the Renaissance, Mannerism, and Baroque periods.

Giovanni da Udine "Flying Sparrow" National Museum of Sweden
In the foreground is Federico Barocci's "Male Head from the Back" from the National Museum of Sweden.
Federico Zuccari "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" National Museum of Sweden
Domenico Tintoretto (real name Domenico Robusti) "Death of Virginia" Collection of the National Museum of Art, Sweden

Of particular note are the works of the Carracci family, who played an important role in later Baroque art from around the end of the 16th century, when natural observation, which had suffered a decline in interest among painters during the Mannerist period, began to be emphasized again.

Annibale Carracci, Study of a Nude Young Man Lying on His Back with His Head Reclined and His Eyes Closed, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

The Carracci family established a private art academy in their hometown of Bologna in 1582, where they provided a unique artistic education, including copying classical sculptures and sketching suburban landscapes and common people. They particularly focused on nude drawing, sometimes using anatomy to understand the structure of the human body. Annibale Carracci's red chalk Study of a Nude Young Man Lying on His Back with Head Tilt and Eyes Closed is a good example of such a figure drawing.

Additionally, Portrait of the Painter Ludovico Cardi, known as Cigoli (c. 1604-09) is a portrait sketch capturing a fellow painter in the midst of creating a sketch, and is the icon of this exhibition.

Annibale Carracci, Portrait of the Painter Ludovico Cardi, known as Cigori, c. 1604-09, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

The second chapter, which is themed around France, begins with the unusual costume designs of Italian painters invited to the court of Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris, and continues with works by unique printmakers from Lorraine, such as Jacques Bérange and Jacques Callot, as well as painters who led the French Baroque period.

Francesco Primaticcio and his associates, Swan Knight, National Museum of Art, Sweden
Attributed to Nicolò dell'Abate, Frogman, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

Caro was also an accomplished draftsman, and the exhibition features a preliminary sketch for The Temptation of Saint Anthony, which depicts a legend surrounding Saint Anthony , alongside a print (c. 1635) based on the sketch.

Jacques Callot, The Temptation of Saint Anthony, National Museum of Sweden
Jacques Callot, The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Second Work), c. 1635, National Museum of Western Art

Each piece is well worth seeing on its own, with its printmaking techniques that give movement to the lines through meticulous adjustments while expressing a natural sense of perspective, its wide variety of demonic visuals, and its dynamism that is as if it had been cut out of a panic movie.

However, while in the print Antony is seen bravely brandishing a cross as he fights the devil, in the drawing he is seen falling on his buttocks and being pushed into a disadvantageous position. In addition, there are various differences in the details between the two works, such as the presence or absence of rocks bordering the left and right sides of the composition. By comparing the two works, one can imagine what the artist focused on as he developed his work, and the effect of his choices in the elements.

Charles Le Brun School "Design for the Fountains of the Palace of Versailles" Collection of the National Museum of Art

The chapter also touches on the elegant design drawings commissioned by Nikodemus Tessin, the architect who laid the foundation for the Nationalmuseum's drawing collection, for the ceiling decoration of his own home.

René Chauveau, Design for the ceiling of the Tessin House Great Hall, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

Chapter 3 focuses on Germany (or more precisely, the German-speaking region, including Switzerland, Austria, etc.) in the 16th century, and highlights include head studies and portrait drawings by three of the greatest masters of the German Renaissance: Matthias Grünewald, Albrecht Dürer, and Hans Baldung Grien.

Matthias Grünewald (real name Matthias Gotthard Neidhardt) Head of a Beardless Old Man, National Museum of Sweden
Hans Baldung Grien, Head of a Young Man from Below, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

Dürer's Portrait of a Young Woman with Three Braids (1515), which has been described as "there is nothing that cannot be depicted with black lines," is a sketch, yet it is completed as an independent monumental work of art. While the various parts of the face, the contours, and the texture of the skin are delicately depicted with fine, intricate lines, it is interesting to note that the hair, ribbons, and clothing are depicted with thicker, darker bundles of lines, and this technique can be seen as naturally drawing attention to the subject's stature.

Albrecht Dürer, Portrait of a Young Woman with Braids, 1515, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

At the beginning of Chapter 4, which traces developments in the Netherlands (present-day Belgium and the Netherlands) centered on the 17th century, visitors can see Lucas van Leyden's Portrait of a Young Man (1521), with its striking pale eyes reflecting light. Oil painting techniques developed rapidly in the Netherlands in the early 15th century, but the spread of paper was slower than in Italy, and few drawings from before the early 16th century remain. In that sense, this work is a valuable example.

Lucas van Leyden, Portrait of a Young Man, 1521, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

Due to political and religious unrest, the Netherlands was divided into North and South Flanders at the end of the 16th century, but once the unrest had calmed down, Peter Paul Rubens was at the center of the artistic revival in Flanders. In order to handle the large number of orders that came to his workshop, Rubens assigned the work to his many apprentices and assistants, and it is said that this system was supported by meticulously prepared preparatory sketches.

Peter Paul Rubens, Robin, vassal of the Earl of Arundel, 1620, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

In "Robin, Lord Arundel's Vassal" (1620), Rubens himself has written detailed notes in the margins about the materials and colors of the clothing worn by the model, which gives us an idea of how the sketches were used.

Jan Brueghel the Elder, "Woodland with Travelers and Cowherds", c. 1608-11, Nationalmuseum of Sweden

In the Netherlands, where economic prosperity led to an unprecedented boom in painting, genres such as landscapes, genres, still lifes, and animals flourished, due to the fact that the Netherlands was a Protestant country that prohibited religious worship and the citizens who purchased paintings preferred familiar and accessible subjects.On the other hand, there were also painters who continued to focus on depicting Christian stories, and the most prominent of these was Rembrandt van Rijn.

Rembrandt van Rijn, "The Arrest of Christ," National Museum of Sweden

"The Arrest of Christ," depicting Christ being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane following Judas' betrayal, gives a simple impression, but makes use of the effects of light and darkness that are synonymous with Rembrandt. The painting expresses the majesty and divinity of the tense scene, as well as the nobility of Christ's spirit as he accepts his fate, making it a small but eye-catching piece.

In the foreground is Hendrik Goltzius's Self-Portrait, c. 1590-91, from the National Museum of Sweden.
Cornelis Visser "Sleeping Dog" National Museum of Art

At the end of the exhibition is Cornelis Visser's Sleeping Dog , an adorable dog asleep with its guard down. The painting is based on meticulous observation of every detail, from the slightly open eyelids to the soft fur on the dog's belly, and the gentle colors convey the artist's warm gaze towards the dog. Original merchandise based on this work was also available for sale, so be sure not to miss it if you visit the venue.

Overview of the "Nationalmuseum Drawings Collection: From Renaissance to Baroque" Exhibition

venue National Museum of Western Art [Ueno Park, Tokyo]
Dates July 1st (Tuesday) – September 28th (Sunday), 2025
Opening hours 9:30 – 17:30 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
*Admission is until 30 minutes before closing.
Closed days Mondays, July 22nd (Tuesday), September 16th (Tuesday)
*However, the museum will be open on July 21st (Monday, national holiday), August 11th (Monday, national holiday), August 12th (Tuesday), September 15th (Monday, national holiday), and September 22nd (Monday).
Admission fee (tax included) Please check the official ticket page for details.
Organizer National Museum of Western Art, Yomiuri Shimbun
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition official website https://drawings2025.jp

*The content of this article is current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.

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Outdoor jazz festival “Jazz is fun! IQASKY Concert 2025” to be held on Sunday, September 21st at Ueno Park in Tokyo

Water Music Hall (Ueno Park Outdoor Stage)
Jazz is fun! IQASKY Concert 2025

A live jazz event featuring renowned musicians and art performances ! An autumn outdoor jazz festival where people of all ages can enjoy music.

The jazz festival "Jazz is fun! IQASKY Concert 2025" will be held on Sunday, September 21st at the outdoor stage in Ueno Park, Tokyo (sponsored by the IQASKY Concert 2025 Executive Committee). Featuring a stellar lineup of performers, including Brasaki 2+1 and HOKEY & HOLY (Katsuhisa Houki & Kazutaka Horio), this live jazz event will feature special guests and live drawing, making it a fun event for people of all ages, from adults to children.

The jazz festival "Jazz is fun! IQASKY Concert 2025" will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Ueno Park Outdoor Stage (Water Music Hall).
This first-time event will feature a fun and energetic program that will allow anyone to experience the joy of jazz. Performances will include the authentic swing band "BLOODEST SAXOPHONE" as well as notable bands from the Kanto jazz scene, such as "The Dixie Railroders," "Traxbone Rize Sextet," and "HOKEY & HOLY (Katsuhisa Houki & Kazutaka Horio)."

In addition, 91-year-old Hoki Tokuda, a pianist and singer, will be joining us as a special guest to deliver a soulful performance. Live drawing artist Michiharu Saotome will also be performing an improvisational art performance, creating a unique moment where sound and art synchronize.
The venue is the outdoor stage in Ueno Park, surrounded by nature despite being in the heart of the city. The relaxed atmosphere with unreserved seating makes it easy for families, students, and jazz beginners to enjoy the event.
Under the autumn sky, everyone can experience the charm of jazz. We look forward to seeing you there!

■ Cast introduction

Blasaki 2+1 (BLOODEST SAXOPHONE)

Blasaki 2+1 (BLOODEST SAXOPHONE)

"BLASAKI2" is a small unit from the internationally active jump band "BLOODEST SAXOPHONE." This time, baritone star will be joining them as the Ueno version. Look forward to the acoustic sound that has been exciting various parties.

The Dixie Railroaders

The Dixie Railroaders

Trumpet & leader Ryo Ito is a fun show band that plays danceable, hot jazz influenced by New York and New Orleans. They have a wide repertoire that includes Dixie, Swing, Modern Jazz, Latin, and Showa-era pop music.

Traxbone Rize Sextet

Traxbone Rize Sextet

Sextet is a guitar trio consisting of asax, trumpet, and trumpet. They are constantly striving to achieve beautiful harmonies, a sense of groove, and a clear sound. In addition to performing at events and live music venues mainly in Tokyo and Yokohama, they also embarked on a four-day tour of Nagano this year. They were awarded the Masahisa Segawa Award at the Madarao Jazz Festival 2025.

HOKEY & HOLY (Katsuhisa Houki & Kazutaka Horio)

HOKEY & HOLY (Katsuhisa Houki & Kazutaka Horio)

This musical unit is made up of voice actor Takahisa Houki, who has appeared in over 50 anime productions, including the role of Jinbei in the anime "One Piece" and the role of Coach Anzai in "Slam Dunk," and guitarist Kazutaka Horio, who has produced many artists both in Japan and overseas. Listen to famous jazz songs sung by Takahisa Houki.

Hoki Tokuda

Hoki Tokuda (special guest)

A pianist, singer, and actress from Ueno, Tokyo. She began playing piano at the age of three, and after studying abroad in Canada, made her debut in 1958 with the band "Three Bubbles." Still active at age 91, she is an artist who embodies "modernity." She is also known as the eighth wife of the literary giant Henry Miller.

Michiharu Saotome

Michiharu Saotome (Live Drawing)

He has worked on cover illustrations for magazines such as "Popeye," "MEN'S CLUB," "BRUTUS," and "GQ," as well as numerous CD jackets. In 2015, he also created the advertising visuals for "BOTTEGA VENETA." He is one of the best artists of today when it comes to drawing pictures of jazz musicians. He also created the illustrations for the main visual of this event.

■Points

1.Luxurious lineup:
Burasaki 2+1 (BLOODEST SAXOPHONE), The Dixie Railroders,
Featuring Traxbone Rize Sextet, HOKEY & HOLY (Katsuhisa Houki & Kazutaka Horio) and other talented artists!

2. Music legends appearing:
Live performance by Hoki Tokuda, a 91-year-old active pianist with 67 years of experience

3. Autumn of Art! Collaboration of Art and Music:
A live drawing by Michiharu Saotome, depicting the groove of the moment. Available for purchase on-site.

4. Open-air location:
Enjoy music surrounded by nature without worrying about rain at the outdoor stage in Ueno Park in autumn

5. Fun for everyone:
Affordable tickets with unreserved seating and free entry make it easy for families, students, and beginners to participate.
Free for elementary school students and younger!

■Event Overview

* Title: Jazz is fun! IQASKY Concert 2025
* Date and time: Sunday, September 21, 2025 Doors open at 14:00 / Show starts at 15:00 / Scheduled end time at 19:00
* Venue: Ueno Park Outdoor Stage (Water Music Hall)
* Access: 7 minutes walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station
*Tickets: General 3,000 yen (tax included) / Students 1,000 yen (tax included) *Unreserved seating
*Ticket sales: e+ (eplus) https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4354920001-P0030001
* Official website: https://iqasky.com/2025/
* Organized by: IQASKY Concert 2025 Executive Committee
* Planning and management: Atchu Works Co., Ltd. / WaikikiRecord
* For inquiries, please contact eventstama@outlook.jp

■Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iqasky_official/
■Official X: https://x.com/iqasky_official
d167721-1-15a523c7b22425875e72d52a67e208cc.pdf

IQASKY Concert 2025

[Atchu Works Co., Ltd.] Press release

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Youthful! The giant Geidai mikoshi and Geidai samba will be coming to Ueno again this year!

Tokyo University of the Arts' school festival (Geisai) and Ueno's shopping district are collaborating! The event will be held on Sunday, September 7th from 12:00!

This year's key visual

The art festival is coming to Ueno!

The Ueno 6-Chome Shopping District Association (Ueno Sakura-dori Shopping District, Okachimachi Ekimae-dori Shopping District, Ueno Okachimachi Chuo-dori Association, Ueno Showei Association, Ueno Ekimae Ichibangai Shopping District, Youth Road Ueno-dori Association) will be holding the Geisai 2025 x Ueno Machi Matsuri at the Ueno 6-Chome Shopping District on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in cooperation with the Geisai Executive Committee.

This special local event brings together local shopping districts and students from Tokyo University of the Arts, harnessing the power of youth and culture and the arts to showcase the charms of the Ueno area.


※Last year's event

The Geisai Mikoshi Parade, which will be held on Sunday, September 7th from 12:00 to 13:00, will be a particularly spectacular parade, featuring the giant mikoshi that is a Geisai specialty, a Geidai Samba Party by the Geidai Samba Club, and even the participation of shopkeepers from Ueno Shopping Street. During the event, we will also be distributing 1,000 yen lottery tickets that can be used in the town.

[Webpage] https://www.uenomachifes-geisai.com/

A scene from last year's Geisai Mikoshi award ceremony. Students from the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts collaborated to create four mikoshi. Only one of them will be allowed to parade through the shopping arcade.

Geimatsuri Mikoshi

The award ceremony

The Geisai mikoshi, a festival known only to those in the know, is coming to town. First-year students at Tokyo University of the Arts are divided into departments and spend the whole summer creating the mikoshi, which is no exaggeration to say is the crystallization of sweat and tears. The sheer scale of the mikoshi seen in the town will leave you stunned!

The sight of the huge Geimatsuri mikoshi passing through the gate is a spectacular sight! A must-see!

There were cheers as we passed through the gates of the shopping district.

Which mikoshi will it be this year?

The happi coats designed along with the mikoshi are also a highlight! On Friday, September 5th, the mikoshi from the department that won the Ueno 6-Chome Shopping District Association Award at the judging on the first day of the festival will be paraded through the shopping district. Which mikoshi will win this year?

Japanese Painting x Crafts x Japanese Music x Music Theory Team

A divine beast appears, bringing peace and harmony.
── “Kirin”

The late summer breeze blows across the sky and the sun shines on the earth.

When the conflict subsides and our hearts come together as one…

The divine beast descends silently.

Sculpture x Advanced Art Expression x Musical Environment Creation x Piano x Wind Instrument Team

🏮Festivals and Dreams🏮

A night alley where light spills out, lanterns reflected on the water's surface and dancing goldfish

Its swaying fins melt in the heat of the festival

Inviting you to a fantasy world

Design x Art Studies x Composition x Strings Team

Tamayura,

Burn your soul in a moment of fluctuation

There's no point in just passing through

Leaping into the future with what we've built up behind us

Are you ready to turn it upside down?

Oil painting × Architecture × Vocal music × Percussion × Organ × Early music × Conducting Team

We wander through eternity in pursuit of a moment that will never come.

Grow mature like a great tree.

Until the moss grows.

Geidai Samba Party

The town is enlivened by the performance of the Tokyo University of the Arts Samba Club!

Another special feature that is becoming more and more popular every year is the Geidai Samba Party! The samba parade at the Geisai Festival has a long history, and is actually the origin of the Asakusa Samba Parade. The overflowing passion of young Geidai students will heat up the town! Don't miss the formation-based performances taking place at various locations! Also, pay attention to the variety of percussion instruments!

The Geimatsuri Mikoshi and samba club will parade through the town.

Generous 1,000 yen lottery for the first 10,000 people!

We will be handing out great value 1,000 yen lottery tickets that can be used during the event, from delicious gourmet food to fun shopping! Win or lose! Shop and dine at Rokuchome Shopping Street, and take part in the fun lottery! If you win the 1,000 yen jackpot, please present it at participating stores! The winning ticket can be used as a gift certificate.

*These will be distributed to the first 10,000 customers who shop or dine at participating stores.

Notes on using 1,000 yen lottery gift certificates
・Available period: September 5th (Friday) to September 21st (Sunday), 2024
・Copying or resale is not permitted.
・May not be combined with other discounts.
・Depending on the store, this may only apply to certain products or services.
・This item is intended for use in stores. Please check with each store regarding online sales.
・For other specific details regarding the use of gift certificates, please check with each store.

1,000 Yen Lottery Stores (Distribution/Gift Certificates Available)

[ Meat Oyama]
Niku no Oyama, located in Ueno Ameyoko, was founded in 1932. Utilizing our many years of experience and proven track record, we offer high-quality meat at reasonable prices.
Address: 6-13-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005

[ HAIR WORLD'S YAGI]
This is a barbershop run by a local man who combines the techniques of hairdressing passed down through generations with a sophisticated elegance. It is a stylish barbershop located on the bustling Ueno Okachimachi Chuo-dori street. We look forward to welcoming you with a warm smile!
Address: Kikuya Building 2F, 6-2-14 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

[ Fit's & Fresh]
This is an American casual shop that carries popular brands from Japan and abroad. The lineup of Japanese-style sukajan jackets is also worth a look!
Address: 6-10-23 Ueno, Taito-ku
​
[Ueno Yabu Soba]
Four generations of discerning owners have been passing down traditional flavors for over 130 years, and in a bright, spacious, and purely Japanese-style restaurant, they serve bamboo steamer soba noodles, warm udon and soba noodles, as well as snacks such as itawasa and tempura.
Address: 6-9-16 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005
Phone: 03-3831-4728

[ FREAK MARKET Ameyoko Plaza Store]
This is a specialty store for Japanese-patterned clothing, focusing on clothing embroidered with Japanese designs. The popular reversible Sukajan jackets are definitely worth a look!
Address: Ameyoko Plaza 31-32, 6-10-7 Ueno, Taito-ku
Phone: 03-3833-2700
​
[ Yakiniku Ueno Taishoen Ueno Station Branch]
Located close to Ueno Station, Taishoen Ueno Ekimae is a casual restaurant. We strive to create a restaurant that will be loved and trusted by everyone for a long time, and we promise to provide you with safe and secure food and a fun time, as well as providing carefully selected ingredients and excellent service.
Address: 2nd and 3rd floors of Forum Aji Building, 6-13-1 Ueno, Taito-ku
Phone: 03-3832-5324

[ Standing bar Kadokura]
Just a minute's walk from Ueno Station! This standing bar is a huge success every day. As it is part of the Yakiniku Taishoen chain, the meat dishes are delicious! And it's cheap! Dishes start from 150 yen, drinks from 250 yen. There is also a VIP room in the back where you can sit. Reservations on the day are welcome ☆ We look forward to seeing you ♪
Address: 1F Forum Aji Building, 6-13-1 Ueno, Taito-ku
Phone: 03-3832-5335

[ Italian Bar Ilca Doccho]
Italian bar Iruka Doccho, a branch of Yakiniku Taishoen, is recommended for its meat dishes. If you're looking for Italian food in Ueno, head to Iruka Doccho.
Address: 1st basement floor, Forum Aji Building, 6-13-1 Ueno, Taito-ku
Phone: 03-3832-5444

[Ueno Marui]
Address: Ueno Marui 9F, 6-15-1 Ueno, Taito-ku
9F All stores

●Event Overview●
Event name: "Geisai 2025 x Ueno Town Festival"
Event period: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Location: Ueno 6-chome Shopping Street
Website: https://www.uenomachifes-geisai.com/
Organizers: Ueno 6-chome Shopping Street Association (Ueno Sakura Street Shopping Street, Okachimachi Station Street Shopping Association, Ueno Okachimachi Chuo Street Association, Ueno Showei Association, Ueno Station First Street Shopping Association, Youth Road Ueno Street Association)
Sponsored by: Taito Ward
Cooperation: Geisai Executive Committee 2025

[ About the Ueno 6-Chome Shopping District Association]
Name of organization: Ueno 6-chome Shopping Street Association (Ueno Sakura Street Shopping Street, Okachimachi Station Street Shopping Association, Ueno Okachimachi Chuo Street Association, Ueno Showei Association, Ueno Station First Street Shopping Association, Youth Road Ueno Street Association)
Address: 6-13-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005
Chairman: Yasuji Watanabe
Business: Coordinating local shopping associations and aiming to revitalize shopping districts
・Event planning and management
・Improve the appeal of shopping streets
・Support and collaboration with shop owners
・Provide support to shop owners and store operators, including business consultation, information provision, and training.
・Promote collaboration and cooperation between stores and support the development of the entire region

[Ueno 6-Chome Shopping District Association] Press release

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[Interview Report] “Ice Age Exhibition: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago” is currently being held at the National Museum of Nature and Science. Take a journey to explore the mysteries of the Ice Age that determined the fate of extinction or survival.

National Museum of Nature and Science

When you hear the word "ice age," some people may imagine a harsh world covered in ice and snow, completely different from the present. However, academically, an ice age refers to a period when ice sheets, thick masses of ice covering the land, existed widely on a continental scale.

Ice ages, when the climate is cold and ice sheets grow large, are alternated with interglacial periods, when the climate is relatively warm and the ice sheets retreat, in cycles of about 100,000 years, so ice ages are not always cold. Even though we live in a year 2025, when ice sheets exist in Greenland and Antarctica, the year may look a little different if you understand that we are in the middle of an interglacial period, or in other words, a glacial period, and are suffering from extreme heat every day.

The special exhibition currently being held at the National Museum of Nature and Science, "Ice Age Exhibition – The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago" (July 12th to October 13th, 2025), focuses on the state of the Earth around 40,000 years ago, during the last ice age.

The exhibition will showcase the lives of humans and animals who lived in environments completely different from those of modern times, as well as changes in their environments, using the latest scientific knowledge and powerful exhibits, including the actual skulls of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, which will be on display in Japan for the first time, as well as skeletal specimens of extinct animals, ecological reconstruction models, and archaeological materials.

Entrance to the "Ice Age Exhibition"

Kenichi Shinoda, director of the National Museum of Nature and Science, who supervised the exhibition, said the following at the press preview:

"There are 8 billion human beings living in the world, but in reality we are all one species: Homo sapiens. There once were other species of humans in Europe and Asia, but by 12,000 years ago, only Homo sapiens remained. What kind of people and animals did our ancestors encounter after they left Africa 60,000 years ago? The main purpose of this exhibition is for visitors to experience where the animals that have become extinct lived and what they looked like. We hope that this exhibition will not only encourage visitors to reflect on our journey so far, but also give them an opportunity to think about how we should live as the environment changes due to global warming."

Long mammoth (living reconstruction model, skeletal specimen), Reiss Engelhorn Museum collection

Visitors are greeted at the venue by the majestic appearance of a woolly mammoth, which is said to have survived on the islands of Siberia and Alaska until thousands of years ago and is owned by the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum in Germany. This is one of the highlights of the exhibition and will catch your eye with its power, but don't forget to check out the cave lion rib with spear wounds, which is casually displayed just before it.

Cave lion rib with spear wounds [original], Mammoth Museum Siegsdorf
This 48,000-year-old fossil rib was excavated in southern Germany. Cave lions, a close relative of modern lions, often appear in murals and sculptures, and are known to have been a common prey for Neanderthals and Homo sapiens (Cro-Magnons). The spear marks indicate that our human ancestors faced off against animals roaming the frigid ice age, and lived tough lives, making this a fitting opening for the exhibition, overflowing with romance.

At its coldest point 30,000 to 20,000 years ago, the high latitudes of Eurasia experienced cooling and the formation of vast steppe tundra (areas of cold grassland and permafrost). In this environment, grassland-dwelling mammoth fauna, including woolly mammoths, cave lions, woolly rhinoceroses, and steppe pythons, thrived. These fauna, along with the giant deer and cave bear that had survived in forests since the interglacial period, and many other extant species, formed the megafauna of the last glacial period.

Exhibition view. On the left is a giant elk (biological reconstruction model, full skeleton), from the Reiss Engelhorn Museum collection.

"Chapter 1: The Animals of Europe in the Ice Age" displays fossils, full-body skeletal specimens, and reconstructed models of megafauna, and explores the mystery of their rise and fall while explaining the ecology of extinct and living species. The animals, with their impressive bodies and long fur to withstand the cold, give an idea of the harsh environment of the time.

Steppe python (fossil skull [real]), owned by the Reiss Engelhorn Museum
Cave bear (biological reconstruction model, full skeleton), Reiss Engelhorn Museum
Woolly rhinoceros (biological reconstruction model, full skeleton), Reiss Engelhorn Museum

Characterized by their long fur that looks as if they are covered in cloth and their large hooves, the musk ox is a surviving member of the mammoth group and a member of the goat subfamily. 20,000 years ago, a sudden warming of the Earth caused the steppe tundra to shrink, and species adapted to cold climates and grassland-dwelling species gradually disappeared. However, the musk ox and the Arctic fox were able to move their habitats into the Arctic Circle, and so they continue to survive to this day.

From left: Musk ox (stuffed specimen), Saiga antelope (reconstructed ecological model), Reiss Engelhorn Museum collection

The ancestors of Cro-Magnons originated in Africa about 300,000 years ago and spread across Eurasia about 60,000 years ago. At the time, another human species called Neanderthals lived in Europe, but they disappeared about 40,000 years ago.

Reconstruction of a Neanderthal, National Museum of Natural History, Paris ©2019 Sculpture ELISABETH DAYNES, France
Reconstruction of Cro-Magnon man, National Museum of Natural History, Paris @2025 Sculpture ELISABETH DAYNES, France

Neanderthals had sturdy physiques and strong muscles, while Cro-Magnons had relatively slender builds and long limbs. At first glance, it seems that the former was better suited to surviving the harsh Ice Age, but what was it that determined the fates of the two? "Chapter 2: Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons" unravels this mystery with archaeological remains such as stone tools and ornaments, and the actual "La Ferrassie 1" and "Cro-Magnon 1," said to be the "world's most famous skulls" of two human species that lived in the same era, are on display in Japan for the first time.

Exhibition view, second from the left: La Ferrassie 1 (Neanderthal) © MNHN National Museum of Natural History, Paris. third from the left: Cro-Magnon 1 (Cro-Magnon man) © MNHN – JCDomenech National Museum of Natural History, Paris.

"La Ferrassie 1" was discovered in 1909 at the La Ferrassie rock shelter in France, and is a nearly complete skeleton of a Neanderthal man who lived between 45,000 and 43,000 years ago. "Cro-Magnon 1" was also discovered in the Cro-Magnon rock shelter in France during road construction and is thought to be a man who lived between 28,000 and 27,000 years ago. Even a quick glance at the skulls on display reveals significant differences in the length of the skull, the width of the cheekbones, and the prominence of the brow bones, making this a luxurious opportunity to compare the two in person.

La Ferrassie 1 (Neanderthal) © MNHN National Museum of Natural History, Paris
Cro-Magnon 1 (Cro-Magnon man) © MNHN – JCDomenech National Museum of Natural History, Paris

The discovery of La Ferrassie 1, bent over in the ground, is said to have provided evidence that Neanderthals, who were traditionally considered barbaric and culturally inferior to Cro-Magnons, had the practice of burying their dead.

Exhibition view

The corridor connecting Chapters 2 and 3 has a video exhibit that explains basic information about the Ice Age, which will be of great interest to beginners, as well as a corner where you can touch fossilized animal hair and teeth. It's fun to trace the unique contours of the teeth of woolly mammoths and aurochs and imagine what they ate and why they were shaped that way.

Chapter 3, "The Japanese Archipelago in the Ice Age," introduces the lives of humans who are believed to have arrived in Japan by approximately 38,000 years ago, and the lives of animals that lived at that time, including the Naumann's elephant, the Yabe giant deer, and the Japanese long-eared tiger ox, the three most extinct animals in Japan.

Exhibition view. In the foreground is a Naumann's elephant (full skeleton [replica]), Tochigi Prefectural Museum collection / (right incisor, left mandibular third molar, right femur fossil [original]), Lake Nojiri Naumann's Elephant Museum collection
Minatogawajin [original], University Museum, The University of Tokyo
During the last glacial period, when the climate cooled significantly between 70,000 and 20,000 years ago, the development of ice sheets and glaciers fixed most of the Earth's water, causing sea levels in the Japanese archipelago to drop by more than 60 meters. The Japanese archipelago's appearance was said to be very different from today, with Hokkaido connected to the Eurasian continent and Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu forming a huge island known as Old Honshu Island. With such diverse environments stretching north and south across the Japanese archipelago as a backdrop, modern humans acquired a rich range of regional characteristics.

The comparative exhibit, showcasing the regional characteristics of stone tools from the middle of the Late Paleolithic period on the island of ancient Honshu, features items excavated from sites in Iwate, Osaka, and Kagoshima, but one item that particularly caught our eye was a stone blade excavated from the Suichoen site in Osaka.

The actual material, owned by the Habikino City Board of Education, shows the connection between the Kokufu-type knife-shaped stone tool and the Setouchi technique.
In the Setouchi region, a technique called the "Setouchi technique" was developed to mass-produce flakes with strange shapes that spread out like wings from the point of impact when breaking a stone, unlike the stone blades used around the world. From spear tips produced using this Setouchi technique, distinctive stone tools known as "Kokufu-type knife-shaped stone tools" were made. The reason for their emergence is not clear, but it appears to have been a rare technique even on a global scale.

The second venue continued with the exhibit "Glacial-Interglacial Cycles and Vegetation," which included an enlarged model of a cute (?) heart-shaped pollen fossil, making it an exhibition with plenty to see right to the end.

Exhibition view. On the left is an enlarged model of cold-season pollen (Japanese white pine), owned by Lake Biwa Museum, Shiga Prefecture.
Ambassador Abareru-kun appeared at the press preview

Abareru-kun, a history-loving entertainer who serves as the ambassador for the exhibition, also gave it high praise, saying, "If you look carefully from the entrance to the exit, you'll probably learn as much as 50 hours of science class." "There's nothing to waste! Everything is worth seeing!"

"It would also be great for independent research or learning during summer vacation. The Earth is currently facing various challenges, but I think the animals of the Ice Age who survived such harsh times have something in common with us today," he said enthusiastically, and promoted the audio guide he provided, saying, "If you watch it with my fun narration and explanations, you will learn 100 times more and it will be 100 times easier to understand."

The special exhibition "Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago" will be held until Monday, October 13th (national holiday).

Overview of the special exhibition "Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago"

venue National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno Park, Tokyo)
Dates July 12, 2025 (Sat) – October 13, 2025 (Monday/holiday)
Opening hours 9:00 – 17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Open at night The museum will close at 7pm from August 8th (Friday) to 17th (Sunday) and October 10th (Friday) to 13th (Monday, national holiday) (last admission at 6:30pm).
*The permanent exhibition will be open until 6:00 PM from August 9th (Sat) to August 15th (Fri). At other times, the permanent exhibition will be open until 5:00 PM (admission until 30 minutes before closing time).
Closed days September 1st (Monday), 8th (Monday), 16th (Tuesday), 22nd (Monday), 29th (Monday)
ticket Adults/university students: 2,300 yen, elementary, junior high, and high school students: 600 yen

*Free for preschool children.
*Free admission for those with a disability certificate and one caregiver.
*If you have a student ID or other certificate, please present it when entering the venue.
For further details, please check the official website .

Organizer National Museum of Nature and Science, TBS, TBS Gloudia, Tokyo Shimbun
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Official exhibition website https://hyogakiten.jp/

*The content of this article is current as of the date of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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[Friday, August 15th – Sunday, September 28th] Geisai x Inoichi x Blue Period ~ A double collaboration event between the shopping district and Tokyo University of the Arts in Ueno, the setting of the popular manga “Blue Period”! ~

"Blue Period Exhibition" and "Blue Period Digital Stamp Rally" to be held in Ueno! Get original goods drawn by Tsubasa Yamaguchi!

The Ueno Nakadori Shopping District Promotion Association will be holding an event called "Geisai x Inoichi x Blue Period" in collaboration with Tokyo University of the Arts' school festival "Geisai" and the popular manga "Blue Period" (by Yamaguchi Tsubasa), which is currently being serialized in "Monthly Afternoon." The event will run for 45 days from August 15th (Friday) to September 28th (Sunday).
This event will be packed with content, including the "Blue Period Exhibition" and "Blue Period Digital Stamp Rally" held in Ueno, where Tokyo University of the Arts, the setting for Blue Period, is located. Tsubasa Yamaguchi has also created a key visual for the event, featuring characters having fun in the Ueno shopping arcade. Prizes for the stamp rally and limited edition original goods will be sold using this original illustration. The "Blue Period Exhibition" will also feature an exhibition of works created by current Tokyo University of the Arts students.

[Event Information]
■ "Blue Period Exhibition in Ueno"
・Dates: Friday, August 15th to Sunday, September 28th, 2025
・Event time: 11:00-18:00
・Venue: NIGIWAI Base Ueno
Shiratorisha Building 3rd Floor, 4-6-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
・Contents: Panel exhibition, exhibition of works by Tokyo University of the Arts students, etc.
*Free admission
*Depending on the time of day, we may issue numbered admission tickets to reduce congestion.

Blue Period Exhibition in Ueno ©Yamaguchi Tsubasa/Kodansha *Image is for illustrative purposes only

■ "Blue Period Digital Stamp Rally"
Visit six locations and get your hands on original goods featuring original illustrations by Tsubasa Yamaguchi!
・Dates: Friday, August 15th to Sunday, September 28th, 2025
・Event time: 11:00-18:00
*Prize exchange times are the same (Prize exchange office: Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple)
・Participation fee: Free
・How to participate: Access the official website and download the smartphone app "furari" to participate.

・Stamp rally prize information
〇Prize 1
Original postcard *Available only to the first 2,000 people, while supplies last
A postcard featuring an original illustration of the characters and the background of Ueno Nakadori Shopping Street

Original postcard ©Yamaguchi Tsubasa/Kodansha *Image is for illustrative purposes only
©Yamaguchi Tsubasa/Kodansha

Prize 2
Original acrylic stand
An acrylic stand featuring four newly drawn characters. *300 people will be selected by lottery.

Acrylic stand ©Yamaguchi Tsubasa/Kodansha *Image is for illustrative purposes only

■ Original amulets for sale
Acrylic charms featuring four original characters on sale
*This is an amulet that has been blessed by Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple, which is said to bring good fortune in "improvement in performing arts and the arts."
Sales period: From Friday, August 15th *Ends while supplies last
Sales location: Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple (4-6-2, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
NIGIWAI Base Ueno (3rd floor, Shiratorisha Building, 4-6-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

Acrylic amulet ©Yamaguchi Tsubasa/Kodansha *Image is for illustrative purposes only

"Art Festival x Inoichi x Blue Period"
Date and time: August 15th (Friday) – September 28th (Sunday) 11:00-18:00
Organized by: Ueno Nakadori Shopping District Promotion Association
Official website: https://www.ueno-nakadoori.or.jp/geisaiinoichi2025/

[Daiichi Tsushinsha Co., Ltd.] Press release

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“Resol Gallery Ueno” – Japan’s largest open exhibition, artworks by artists exhibited at the National Exhibition. Special exhibition in August 2025. Four works by artist Kyoko Ito will be on display at this exhibition.

Tourist hotel "Hotel Resol Ueno" Art gallery in the living lobby "Resol Gallery Ueno"
Dates: Friday, August 1st to Sunday, August 31st, 2025. Free admission.

Hotel Resol Ueno (7-2-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo), a tourist hotel under the Resol Hotels brand operated by Resol Co., Ltd., will be holding a special exhibition of four works by artist Kyoko Ito in the art gallery in the living lobby, Resol Gallery Ueno, from Friday, August 1st to Sunday, August 31st, 2025.

As part of Hotel Resol Ueno's efforts to create a hotel rooted in the Ueno area, where art and the downtown area blend in harmony, the hotel launched an initiative in February last year to utilize the art gallery in the living lobby, "Resol Gallery Ueno," as a place to create encounters between up-and-coming artists who will disseminate the culture of the future and traveling guests. Since its launch, the gallery has featured artists who have been active in the art scene for many years, as well as up-and-coming artists. So far, the gallery has exhibited works from a variety of genres, including oil paintings and prints, and has become a place where travelers (tourists) can casually experience art, enjoyed not only by guests but also by the general public.

The tenth artist, Kyoko Ito, graduated from the Department of Oil Painting at Musashino Art University, and is based in Tokyo. She has been actively presenting her work in solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and public exhibitions. She is currently a member of the Kokugakai and the Japan Artists Association.

This exhibition will feature four oil paintings based on the theme of "The Will to Live," which Ito has been working on for many years, that express the inner energy of humans, such as "the power to take action" and "the capacity to embrace." Please come and see these works that express the strength that resides in people and the preciousness of life.

At Resol Hotels, we will continue to weave irreplaceable travel stories through hotel operations that thoroughly meet the needs of all travelers (tourists).

Event Overview
Date: August 1st (Friday) – August 31st (Sunday), 2025
Venue: "Resol Gallery Ueno" art gallery in the living lobby of "Hotel Resol Ueno"
Artist: Kyoko Ito
Admission fee: Free *Non-guests are welcome to drop in as well.
Opening hours: [Hotel guests] Open 24 hours. / [Non-hotel guests] 10:00-20:00

Exhibited works:

"Execution Power" (2014, oil on canvas, size S30)

This is one of four works in the "Power to Live" series (power of execution, power of concentration, perseverance, tolerance).
Instead of just waiting, you can move forward by taking action one step at a time.
The ability to live and the ability to execute are very important in life.
This work is conscious of the dynamism of the brushstrokes, as if to appeal to the viewer about the strength of the will to live.

"Tolerance" (2014, oil on canvas, size S30)

This is one of four works in the "Wisdom for Life" series (ability to execute, ability to concentrate, perseverance, tolerance).
Caring for others, being supportive, and accepting in society.
This is also a vitality and tolerance that is very important in life.
The large U-shape envelops you in warmth.
This work emphasizes its intention by deliberately using a simple composition.

"Voice of the Earth" (2024, oil on canvas, size F4)

The motif is an abstract image of a large tree that has taken root in the earth and has been around for a long time.
This piece expresses this vitality through monochrome tones and accents of vermilion.

"Existence" (2025, oil on canvas, size F3)

This work uses abstract expression to express the significance of the existence of objects and people.
I hope that each person who sees the work will appreciate it in their own way.

Profile: Kyoko Ito
After graduating from the Department of Oil Painting, Faculty of Art and Design, Musashino Art University, he has continued to exhibit his works as an oil painter through solo and group exhibitions, mainly in Tokyo. In recent years, he has been creating works with the theme of "the will to live." He is currently a member of the Kokugakai and the Japan Artists Association.

■ Biography
1992 Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University, Faculty of Letters
1996 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Oil Painting

1997 to present
<Solo Exhibition>
Nihonbashi Takashimaya 6th Floor Art Gallery (2006)
Ichibanboshi Gallery (Nihonbashi) ('98, '99, '00, '01, '05, '11, '14, '20)
Museum Nagatoro Ichibanboshi (2003)
Saegusa Gallery (Ginza) (1997)
Rei Gallery (Ginza) (2007)
Shirota Gallery (Ginza) (2012)
Gallery Azuma (Ginza) ('16'19'23) and others

<Group Exhibition>
KOKU 10/TEN (Ginza Gallery Himawari) ('11, '12, '13)
Kokugakai New Members Exhibition (Ginza Inoue Gallery) (2015)
Winter Aoi Exhibition (Exhibition by three members of the National Exhibition) (Gallery Himawari) ('21), etc.

<Exhibition>
National Exhibition (National Art Center, Tokyo) Exhibited every year since 1996 (except '98)
Showakai Exhibition (Nichido Gallery) ('97, '99)
Field of Now Exhibition (Japan Art Dealers Association) ('00, '01, '02)
The Rite of Spring (Foreign Art Dealers Association) ('17, '18, '20)
Ueno Royal Museum Grand Prize Exhibition ('98,'02)
EU JAPON Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition (Paris, Luxembourg, etc.) (1998)
Kyoko Ito Exhibition (Homma Museum of Art, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture) (2002)
Three Women Artists Exhibition (Homma Museum of Art) (2005)
Tokyo Art Fair (Tokyo International Forum) ('08, '09, '11) and others
Evening Star Exhibition (Ichibanboshi Gallery, Memorial to Tadanobu Hoshi) ('20)
Currently a member of the Kokugakai and the Japan Artists Association

<Collection of works>
Exhibition "Lafre Saitama" (Saitama New Urban Center, Saitama Prefecture)
"Homma Museum of Art" (Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture)
"Ichibanboshi Gallery" (Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
"Seikogaoka Hospital" (Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture)
Asahi Neurological Rehabilitation Hospital (Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture)
"Le Japon" (Restaurant, Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo)
"Granduo Kyodo II" (apartment in Kyodo, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo)
"Aoyama Gakuin High School" (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo)
"Yachiyo Wakaba Kindergarten" (Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture)
"Tamagawa Seigakuin" (Setagaya Ward, Tokyo)
"Hotel de L'Arpage" (Tateshina Plateau, Nagano Prefecture)
Marusan Heavy Machinery Construction Co., Ltd. (Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture)

About Resol Gallery Ueno
Resol Gallery Ueno, an art gallery located in the living lobby of Hotel Resol Ueno, exhibits a variety of artworks by up-and-coming artists that embody their passion and techniques.
The artistic experience unique to Ueno, a city of academia, offers travelers a spice that is different from a simple hotel stay.
The gallery alternates between special and permanent exhibitions every other month, providing new discoveries and opportunities for growth with every visit.

[About the special exhibition]
Resol Gallery Ueno provides a free gallery space for up-and-coming artists, including those who have been active in the art scene for many years, to exhibit their works.
As a base for travel where the city of Ueno meets art, we will create opportunities for visitors to encounter a variety of artworks, including "artworks that evoke images of travel, travelers, or travel destinations," "artworks that evoke images of downtown culture, climate, and history," "artworks that evoke a sense of academia," and "artworks that soothe the viewer's soul and inspire new discoveries and inspiration."

<Contact for inquiries from exhibitors>
Tel: 03-5325-9269 (Contact: Ito)
Email: ka.ito@resol.jp

[About the permanent exhibition]

(From left in the image)
The Sun and the Moon (2020, Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on wooden panel, set of 2)
Panda (2020 Masaru Ishikawa and Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on resin figure)
EDO, rotated 90° (2020 Keita Shimizu, printed on canvas)
Ueno (2020 Shimizu Keita, acrylic paint on wooden panel)

Profile: Keita Shimizu
Designer, design consultant
Born in Tokyo in 1974.
After completing a Master's degree at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, he began working as a designer based in Milan.
His inclusive designs, born from the global values he developed during his childhood in the United States and his life as a designer in Italy, have been highly praised both at home and abroad.Recently, he has not only worked on product design, but also on hotel concept development and corporate design.

Overview of Hotel Resol Ueno

◇Address: 7-2-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1 minute walk from JR Ueno Station, Asakusa Exit or Iriya Exit
◇Structure: Steel frame [10 floors above ground]
Number of rooms: 115 [107 Modernette (semi-double) rooms / 8 Twin rooms]
◇Official website: https://www.resol-hotel.jp/ueno/

[Resol Co., Ltd.] Press Release

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Chatting is OK! Permanent exhibition is free! Lively Saturday event!

National Museum of Western Art
© National Museum of Western Art

Held at the National Museum of Western Art on Saturday, August 23rd. Everyone from small children to the elderly can enjoy art in a casual atmosphere!

The National Museum of Western Art will hold "Nigiyaka Saturday" on Saturday, August 23, 2025. "Nigiyaka Saturday" is a program that started in 2023 and will be held for the third time this year. This is a special event for this day only, where anyone from children to the elderly can enjoy the art works while casually chatting with each other, allowing them to enjoy the museum in their own way. There is no admission fee to view the permanent exhibition.

*This does not restrict conversations between customers on normal opening days.

© National Museum of Western Art

This program was started with the hope that even customers who feel nervous because they have to be quiet in museums or find it difficult to go to exhibitions with children or elderly parents can enjoy the museum without any worries. On the day of the event, stroller parking areas will be set up in several places in the museum, and we will also provide a rest area with a kids' space and a baby rest room where customers with infants can change diapers, etc. We have also prepared events that allow people of all ages to enjoy viewing the artworks, whether it is their first time at a museum or a repeat visitor.

[Event Summary]
Date and time: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 9:30-20:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Venue: National Museum of Western Art [Ueno Park, Tokyo] Access
Admission fee: Free for the permanent exhibition, but there is a fee for the special exhibition " Nationalmuseum of Sweden Drawing Collection Exhibition "
Website: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/experience-learn/detail/event_120.html

© National Museum of Western Art
© National Museum of Western Art
© National Museum of Western Art

= "Nigiyaka Saturday" Fun Event =

A free event you can enjoy! Part 1
■ Pay attention to the details of the work "Let's go find this piece!"
Permanent Exhibition *Free (Special exhibition "Picasso's Figures" is currently being held)

The permanent exhibition features masterpieces of Western paintings that you may have seen in textbooks, such as Monet and Renoir, and features a "Let's go find this piece!" project. Using postcards with cut-out pieces of the works as clues, you can search for which parts of which works in the exhibition room, and maybe even find your favorite work. You can enjoy art appreciation like a game by paying attention to the details of the works.

© National Museum of Western Art

Free fun project! Part 2
■ The National Museum of Western Art is the subject! "Reading of the picture book 'The Story of the Museum at the Edge of the Forest'" Permanent exhibition 2F rest area *Free

A reading of the picture book "The Story of the Museum at the Edge of the Forest" (text: Kaori Nashiki, illustrations: Georg Hallensleben), which was released in August this year and is based on the National Museum of Western Art, will be held in the rest area with a kids' space. After the reading, why not go and see where the works featured in the picture book are exhibited in the exhibition room?

■ Enjoy the world of drawings! "Bingo with Drawings" special exhibition *Special exhibition admission fee required

At the ongoing special exhibition "Nationalmuseum Drawings Collection – From Renaissance to Baroque," we are offering a fun opportunity to become acquainted with the paintings, including a bingo game called "Drawings Bingo," which features sections of the exhibited works that are only available on the day, and handing out booklets with tips on how to appreciate the paintings.

=CAFÉ Suiren Museum Shop=

The museum will be open until 8:00 p.m. on the day of the event, so we recommend that you enjoy dinner at the on-site cafe restaurant, CAFÉ Suiren, during the relatively quiet hours in the evening, in addition to appreciating the art, or browse for your favorite goods and souvenirs at the museum shop. We recommend spending a relaxing summer evening at the museum.
CAFÉ Suiren Business Hours
Meals: 11:00-19:10 (last order)
Cafe: 10:00-19:30 (last orders)

CAFÉ Suiren © The National Museum of Western Art
© National Museum of Western Art
© National Museum of Western Art

The National Museum of Western Art is located in Ueno Park, right in front of the JR Ueno Station Park Exit ticket gate, making it easily accessible. It is open until 8pm every Friday and Saturday. You can visit the museum without worry, even on a hot summer day or after dark.

[National Museum of Western Art] 7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access
Opening hours: 9:30-17:30 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) *Last admission 30 minutes before closing *Closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/
For inquiries, please call Hello Dial 050-5541-8600

[National Museum of Western Art, Independent Administrative Institution] Press release

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