# National Museum of Western Art — Tokyo, Japan

> The National Museum of Western Art opened in 1959 in Le Corbusier's only completed building in Japan. The original building and recent additions form a UNESCO-listed work of modern architecture.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Friday and Saturday until 8:00 PM, Closed Mondays)
- Admission: ¥500 standard admission
- Address: 7-7 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
- Official website: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- The Thinker — Auguste Rodin · 1880 (cast)
- Water Lilies — Claude Monet · c. 1916
- The Burghers of Calais — Auguste Rodin · 1889 (cast)
- Le Corbusier Building — Le Corbusier · 1959

## FAQ
**Why is it a UNESCO site?**
It is one of seventeen Le Corbusier buildings collectively recognised as a transcontinental UNESCO World Heritage Site.

**Is the Rodin garden free?**
Yes — the outdoor sculpture garden in front of the museum is free to visit.

**How long should I spend at National Museum of Western Art?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is National Museum of Western Art best known for?**
The National Museum of Western Art opened in 1959 in Le Corbusier's only completed building in Japan. The original building and recent additions form a UNESCO-listed work of modern architecture. Key highlights include Le Corbusier's UNESCO-listed building, The Thinker by Auguste Rodin, Matsukata Collection of Impressionists.

**How do I get tickets for National Museum of Western Art?**
¥500 standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/

**Why is the building UNESCO listed?**
The NMWA is Le Corbusier's only building in Japan — part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of his works worldwide. The 1959 concrete structure with pilotis and ramp is a masterwork of modern architecture.

**What is the Matsukata Collection?**
Assembled by Kojiro Matsukata in Europe before WWI — thousands of Western paintings and sculptures including Impressionists and Rodin. Much was lost in the war; surviving works form the museum's core.

**Is The Thinker always outside?**
Yes — a bronze cast of Rodin's Thinker stands in the forecourt permanently, one of the museum's most photographed works.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-museum-of-western-art/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.