National Museum of Western Art
Wednesday, November 26th, 2025 – Thursday, December 25th, 2025 Open until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays!
"Christmas at the Museum" will be held for approximately one month from Wednesday, November 26th to Thursday, December 25th, 2025, allowing visitors to enjoy a winter day at the National Museum of Western Art in their own way. This project, which began in 2007, is a winter tradition at the National Museum of Western Art, which has a rich collection of Western art with Christian themes.
There's plenty to enjoy, including the winter-only audio guide "Curator's Voice 2025," in which researchers themselves talk about the works on display in the permanent collection; the "Everyone's Christmas Carol Concert," which anyone, including small children, can enjoy; and gallery talks that will help you enjoy the permanent collection even more. The museum is also open until 8:00 PM every Friday and Saturday, and after viewing the art, you can enjoy dinner in the museum's restaurant. From families with children and first-time museum visitors to regulars, we have events to suit everyone's tastes, so please take advantage of this opportunity to visit.
■ Winter only! Audio guide "Curator's Voice 2025" [Free]
This year we will be offering a new version of the audio guide narrated by a researcher from the National Museum of Western Art, which was well received last year.
The program will explain the works and special feature corners on display during the period of the permanent exhibition. In addition to being available in the exhibition room, you can also listen to it online from the comfort of your own home.
Scan the 2D barcode at the information desk to access the audio guide web app. Please bring your smartphone and earphones when using it in the exhibition rooms. A script is included, so text information is also provided.
Screening period: Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – Thursday, December 25, 2025
■ Kawasaki Free Sunday
In principle, the permanent exhibition is free to view on the second Sunday of every month. Enjoy the Christmas tree in the lobby and other decorations unique to this time of year.
Date and time: Sunday, December 14, 2025 9:30-17:30 (last entry at 17:00)
■ Relaxing Day with Your Baby — Art Museum for Ages 0 and Up — [Advance registration required / First come, first served / Free]
On this day, you can freely view the permanent exhibition with your small children on closed days. Picture book readings are also planned.
Venue: Permanent exhibition room and other locations
Date and time: Monday, December 15, 2025, 10:00-15:00 *Closed on
*The same program is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 26, 2026.
■ Everyone's Christmas Carol Concert [Advance registration required / First come, first served / Free]
This is an a cappella concert featuring Christmas-themed songs. The lighting in the auditorium will be bright, making it easy to enter and exit the hall even during the performance. This concert can be enjoyed safely by everyone, including those visiting an art museum for the first time, small children, people with disabilities, and art and music fans.
Cast: Ai Okada (soprano), Momoka Osawa (soprano), Masanori Taguchi (tenor), Naohito Sekiguchi (baritone)
Venue: Auditorium *Capacity 100 people per session, same program for each session
Date and time: Saturday, December 20, 2025 15:00-15:40
Sunday, December 21, 2025 13:00-13:40
■ Gallery Talk [Registration on the day / Free (however, a ticket valid for admission to the current exhibition is required)]
Volunteer staff will talk about several works from the permanent exhibition that are related to Christianity and Christmas.
Venue: Permanent Exhibition Room *Maximum of 15 people per session (first come, first served)
Date and time: Saturday, December 20, 2025 11:00-11:30/13:00-13:30
Sunday, December 21, 2025 11:00-11:30/13:00-13:30
*Sign language interpretation and the hearing aid system "Roger" will be available for rental on Saturday, December 20th from 11:00 to 11:30.
■ Volunteer Tour [Registration on the day / Free (however, you will need a ticket valid for admission to the current exhibition)]
This program is open to everyone, from children to adults, and allows them to enjoy simple creative activities inspired by artworks in the museum's collection. It is planned and run by volunteer staff. Interpreters will be available, so those who use sign language can participate with peace of mind. Further details will be posted on the National Museum of Western Art's website.
Venue: Workshop Room (New Building, 2nd floor, near the Print and Painting Exhibition Room)
Date and time: Saturday, December 20th, 2025 and Sunday, December 21st, 2025 *Sign language interpretation available on both days
*For programs that require advance registration, applications will close once capacity is reached. For details on each program, including how to apply, please visit the National Museum of Western Art website.
https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/experience-learn/detail/christmas2025.html
Open until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays! Enjoy a special Christmas dinner and sweets in addition to appreciating the art.
●CAFÉ Suiren
This popular, open café restaurant faces a lush courtyard. We offer roast beef courses and original Christmas cakes for a limited time only (11/26 – 12/25).
Open until 8:00 PM every Friday and Saturday (food 11:00 AM – 7:10 PM last orders, cafe 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM last orders)
Christmas version wrapping available
●SHOP
We will be offering a picture book based on the National Museum of Western Art, "The Story of the Museum at the Edge of the Forest" (National Museum of Western Art limited edition cover version), in Christmas packaging, and a stuffed toy with a ribbon featuring John Everett Millais's "The Duckling," which appears in the picture book.
Other popular sweets will also be displayed with ribbons. Come and find a gift!
■ Exhibitions held during the "Christmas at the Museum" period
・Special Exhibition "Impressionism from the Musée d'Orsay – A Tale of Interiors"
Dates: Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Sunday, February 15, 2026 Venue: Special Exhibition Room
・Permanent Exhibition
Small Feature Exhibition: "Black Lines that Tell a Story – Woodblock Prints from Dürer's 'Three Great Books'"
Dates: Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Sunday, February 15, 2026 Venue: Print and Painting Exhibition Room (Permanent Exhibition Room)
"Flemish Saints' Panel Paintings from the Groening Museum and the National Museum of Western Art: A Reunion After 100 Years"
Dates: Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Sunday, May 10, 2026 Venue: Main Building Exhibition Room (Permanent Exhibition Room)
National Museum of Western Art [Ueno Park, Tokyo]
7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007 https://www.nmwa.go.jp
Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays and closed the following weekday), New Year's holiday (December 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026)
Opening hours: 9:30-17:30, until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. *Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Permanent exhibition admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for university students
*Permanent exhibitions are free for high school students and younger, those under 18, those 65 and older, and those with a disability certificate* and one accompanying person (please present proof of age, such as a student ID, or a disability certificate upon entry).
*Applicable certificates: Physical disability certificate, Rehabilitation certificate, Mental disability health and welfare certificate, Atomic bomb survivor health certificate
*A separate admission fee will be charged for the special exhibition "Impressionism from the Musée d'Orsay – Tales of Interiors."
For inquiries, please call 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Directions | 1 minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit)
7 minutes walk from Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Electric Railway
8 minutes walk from Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Hibiya Line
*There is no parking lot at the National Museum of Western Art, so please refrain from coming by car.
[National Museum of Western Art, Independent Administrative Institution, National Museum of Art] Press Release
See other exhibition information
