Suntory Museum of Art is an art museum in Tokyo Midtown, Akasaka, Tokyo. The museum is owned by the Suntory Holdings of whisky and beer fame and is known for its special, thematic exhibitions. The museum does not have a permanent collection, which means that you can expect to see new and exciting exhibits every time they visit.

Suntory Museum of Art
Photo Credit: © Suntory Museum of Art

The museum is known for its stunning exhibitions of Japanese art, including paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, glassware, dyeing, and weaving. The museum’s exhibits showcase the best of Japanese art, and you can learn a lot about the country’s rich cultural heritage through the museum’s displays.

Collections

Suntory Museum of Art
Photo Credit: © Suntory Museum of Art

The Suntory Museum of Art boasts an impressive collection of over 3,000 objects, including lacquerware, ceramics, paintings, and textiles. These objects range from vintage Japanese art to Eastern art from other countries. The museum is dedicated to showcasing special, thematic exhibitions, so you can expect to see unique displays throughout the year.

One of the most notable features of the museum’s collection is its focus on Japanese arts and crafts. In fact, the Suntory Museum of Art has the largest collection of Japanese arts and crafts in Japan. You can explore the collection using the museum’s searchable database, which allows users to search by criteria, including genre, artist, and time period.

The collection is organized by genre, and you can view selected works from each genre on the museum’s website. The website also gives you information about each work, including its artist, date, and materials used. For those interested in learning more about specific works in the collection, check the museum’s website for information about upcoming exhibitions and events.

Overall, the Suntory Museum of Art’s collection offers a unique glimpse into Japanese arts and crafts and is a must-see for anyone interested in the country’s rich cultural history.

Exhibitions

Suntory Museum of Art
Photo Credit: © Suntory Museum of Art

The museum focuses its attention on special, thematic exhibitions and does not have a permanent exhibition space. The museum holds 5 or 6 exhibitions a year showcasing items from its collection. The collection has been built over the years and has about 8,500 paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, and crafts from Japan and China. You can explore a wide variety of special exhibitions that are held throughout the year.

Each exhibition is carefully curated and designed to showcase a specific theme or period in time. The museum’s exhibitions cover a range of topics, including ceramics, scrolls, paintings, woven fabrics, lacquerware, Edo Kiriko glass, and much more. The exhibitions are a great way to learn about Japanese art and culture, and they are suitable for visitors of all ages.

The Museum of Art has continued over many years to carry out its mission under its fundamental principle, “Art in Life. The outcomes of those efforts are symbolized by the wide variety of special exhibitions they have held thus far. Some of the past exhibitions include “The Aesthetics of Japanese Bamboo Art,The Art of Edo Rimpa,” and “The Beauty of Japanese Art: From the Tokyo National Museum Collection.

Check the museum’s website to see what exhibitions are currently on display and what exhibitions are coming up in the future. The website gives you detailed information about each exhibition, including the dates, times, and admission fees.

Facilities

Suntory Museum of Art
Photo Credit: © Suntory Museum of Art

The museum is housed in a modern building with spacious galleries that showcase the best of Japanese art. The facilities include:

  • Coat check
  • Gift shop
  • Café
  • Restrooms

The coat check is available for visitors to store their belongings while they explore the museum. The gift shop offers a range of souvenirs, including books, postcards, and other items related to the exhibitions. The café serves light refreshments, including coffee, tea, and snacks, and is the perfect place to take a break and relax.

The museum also gives you restrooms, including accessible restrooms, for visitors’ convenience. You can explore the galleries at your own pace, and audio guides are available for an additional fee. The museum offers events and workshops throughout the year, so check the museum’s website for the latest information.

Visiting Information

Suntory Museum of Art
Photo Credit: © Suntory Museum of Art

If you’re planning to visit the Suntory Museum of Art, it’s important to know the hours of operation and admission fees. The museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the last admission at 5:30 pm. However, please note that hours are subject to change, so check the latest exhibition information for any updates.

The admission fee for adults is 1300 yen, while students can enter for 1000 yen. Children under the age of 18 can enter for free, making it a great destination for families. The museum also offers discounts for groups of 20 or more people.

You can explore the museum’s collection, which mainly consists of Japanese antiques, including ceramics, scrolls, paintings, woven fabrics, lacquerware, and Edo Kiriko glass. In addition to the exhibitions, the museum also has a gift shop where you can purchase exquisite craft goods.

The Suntory Museum of Art is in Tokyo Midtown, on the border of Roppongi and Akasaka, making it easy to get to. The nearest subway station is Roppongi Station on the Hibiya and Oedo lines. From there, it’s just a short walk to the museum.

History

Suntory Museum of Art
Photo Credit: © Suntory Museum of Art

The Suntory Museum of Art is a prominent art museum in Tokyo. It was established in 1961 and opened its doors to the public on the 9th floor of the Palace Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The museum was founded by Keizo Saji, the second president of the Suntory company, which is known for producing alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and other products.

It has a history of showcasing the best of Japanese art. The museum’s collection includes a wide range of art forms such as paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, glassware, dyeing, and weaving. The museum’s philosophy is to present “Art in Life,” meaning that the art on display is meant to be appreciated in the context of everyday life.

Over the years, the museum has hosted numerous exhibitions that have attracted visitors from all over the world. Some of the most notable exhibitions include “The Art of Tea in Japan, Masterpieces of Japanese Art,” and “The Beauty of Japanese Lacquerware.

It has also undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to keep up with the changing times. In 2007, the museum moved to its current location in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, Tokyo. The new location is more spacious and modern, allowing for a more immersive and engaging experience for visitors.

The Sum Up

The Suntory Museum of Art is in Tokyo Midtown, a mixed-use development in the Akasaka neighborhood of Tokyo. The museum features a diverse collection of Japanese and East Asian art, including paintings, ceramics, and textiles. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Tuesdays. General admission is 1,300 JPY, while college students pay 1,000 JPY and high school students pay 500 JPY. Admission is free for children under 15 years old. The museum’s website is available in English.

Details

Information Details
Name (English) Suntory Museum of Art
Name (Japanese) サントリー美術館
Address Tokyo Midtown Galleria 3F, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8643, Japan
Ticket Cost General: 1,300 JPY, College Students: 1,000 JPY, High School Students: 500 JPY, Free for children under 15
Times 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays, open until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays)
Website English
Nearby Luxury Hotels 1. The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (0.1 km)
2. ANA InterContinental Tokyo (1.1 km)
Nearby Mid-range Hotels 1. Hotel Monterey Akasaka (1.3 km)
2. Hotel Wing International Premium Tokyo Yotsuya (2.2 km)
Nearby Budget Hotels 1. nine hours Akasaka (1.4 km)
2. Tokyu Stay Aoyama Premier (1.8 km)

 

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