6. Museum Review: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (Imperial Palace)

MOMAT, or the Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, is located just outside the Imperial Palace, in Kitanomaru Koen. The museum exhibits Japanese paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures from the 20th Century to the present. The permanent exhibition comprises of about 200 pieces, more than half of which are replaced every two months. The museum also holds 4 or 5 special exhibitions every year.

This museum has a lot of nice pieces, if you are interested in modern art. I am more of a history fan, so I mainly enjoyed works that echoed the past, especially photographs. I can't say anything bad about this museum, but it didn't blow me away either. Art lovers, I'm sure you'll be very satisfied.

3-1 Kitanomaru koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322
Phone: 03-5777-8600

Hours of Operation: 10:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30), closed Mondays (closed Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday) and Dec. 29 - Jan. 1
*Occasionally closed for long periods for exhibit changes.

Late Night Opening: Fridays until 20:00 (last entry 19:30)

Admission: Adults: 420 yen, College Students: 130 yen, High School Students: 70 yen
*Free for elementary school, Jr. high students, and those 65 and older.
*Free every first Sunday of the month, International Museum Day (May 18), and Culture Day (Nov. 3).
*Special exhibitions are not included in general admission price.

The museum is a 3 minute walk from Takebashi Station of the Tozai Line.

Website: http://www.momat.go.jp/

**Free entry to permanent collection with Grutt Pass 2007 (#12). Discount coupon for special exhibitions.