The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT, located in Takebashi, Tokyo) is hosting the "MOMAT Summer Festival" from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, September 13, 2026. The event is designed to help visitors beat the heat while enjoying art in the museum's air-conditioned galleries.
On Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM, a lineup of summer-exclusive events will be held, including MOMAT Highlight Tours, an artist talk, and short lectures by museum researchers. A kitchen car from restaurant "Là et Mikuni" will be parked in the forecourt, serving beer, wine, and food. The museum stays open until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with discounted evening admission for the permanent collection gallery, "MOMAT Collection." Conveniently located near the business districts of Marunouchi and Otemachi, MOMAT makes for an easy after-work visit.
Highlights
"Easy MOMAT Rally"
This introductory program makes the collection accessible even for first-time visitors. Curators have selected 14 recommended works from the "MOMAT Collection," each accompanied by lively curator commentary. The program runs July 24 – September 13, covering 4F–2F of the Collection Gallery.
This season also marks the debut of 7 newly acquired works (6 during the event period), including pieces making their first public appearance at the museum.
Summer-Exclusive Participatory Programs
On Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM, visitors can take part in special museum programs. These include an artist talk featuring a newly acquired work's creator, short lectures by museum researchers on the "MOMAT Collection," and the "MOMAT Highlight Tour" — a compact guided introduction to the collection's highlights.
Kitchen Car in the Forecourt
A kitchen car from restaurant "Là et Mikuni" will be stationed in the museum's forecourt, offering takeaway food and drinks including beer and wine. A special "MOMAT Collection" image drink will also be available. Chairs are available for use on the lawn, and visitors can also enjoy their purchases on the 2nd-floor terrace overlooking the Imperial Palace.
Kitchen car hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Food: 5:30 PM, L.O. 7:00 PM; Drinks: L.O. 7:30 PM)
Evening Opening on Fridays and Saturdays
The museum opens until 8:00 PM every Friday and Saturday, with discounted evening admission for "MOMAT Collection." A photo spot also appears in front of the 2nd-floor terrace during the festival period.
Event Details
"Easy MOMAT Rally"
Period: July 24 (Fri) – September 13 (Sun)
Location: 4F–2F Collection Gallery
Curators have chosen 14 works from "MOMAT Collection" to highlight, each with fun explanatory notes. Visitors can explore the gallery at their own pace. Audio commentary is also available through the "Bloomberg Connects" art guide app.
Highlighted works include:
Kotaro Migishi, Butterflies Flying Above the Clouds
Yorozu Tetsugoro, Nude Beauty, 1912, Important Cultural Property
Permanent Collection "MOMAT Collection" (4F–2F Collection Gallery)
Collection Mini-Exhibition: "The 120th Birth Anniversary: Saburo Hasegawa and The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo" (2F Gallery 4)
Period: May 26 (Tue) – September 13 (Sun) (The "Easy MOMAT Rally" runs July 24 – September 13)
Admission: General ¥500 / University students ¥250
(Fridays and Saturdays after 5:00 PM: General ¥300 / University students ¥150)
Free for high school students and those under 18, those aged 65 and over, and visitors with a disability certificate (plus one companion).
Talk and Lecture Events
Talk events focusing on newly acquired works and special exhibitions in the "MOMAT Collection" will be held throughout the festival. Sign language interpretation will be provided at all events.
Venue: B1F Auditorium | Free admission | No registration required | Capacity: 140 | Doors open 30 minutes before start
Artist Talk
Artist Akiko Maemoto, whose work has recently entered the museum's collection, will speak about her practice.
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Speakers: Akiko Maemoto (artist), Yukiko Yokoyama (museum researcher)
Short Lectures
Museum researchers will deliver accessible lectures on new acquisitions and special exhibitions.
- Sunday, July 26, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: "New Acquisition: Eiko Urushihara's Midnight Circus" — Shiori Sahara
- Friday, August 14, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: "Saburo Hasegawa and The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo" — Daichi Osana
- Friday, August 28, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: "New Acquisition: On Kawara's Flood Period" — Tomohiro Masuda
Participatory Programs
A range of participatory programs are available to enhance your festival experience. All tours are guided by MOMAT Guide Staff (museum volunteers).
MOMAT Highlight Tour
A compact tour introducing the highlights of "MOMAT Collection."
- Fridays: July 24, 31 / August 7, 14, 21, 28 / September 4, 11
6:00 PM / 7:00 PM (approx. 30 min each) - Saturdays: August 1, 8
4:00 PM / 5:00 PM (approx. 30 min each)
Collection Guide
An interactive tour focusing on 2 works from the permanent collection, with conversation between guide and visitors.
Daily on open days throughout the event period, 11:00 AM (approx. 30 min)
Collection Tour "Explore with Us" (conducted in English)
An English-language tour covering 5–6 representative works from the collection.
Dates: July 23 (Thu) / August 1 (Sat), 8 (Sat), 13 (Thu), 20 (Thu), 27 (Thu) / September 3 (Thu), 10 (Thu)
10:30 AM / 12:00 PM (approx. 30 min each)
Photo Spot
A photo spot is set up in front of the 2nd-floor terrace inside the museum during the festival period.
Currently on View: Special Exhibition
"Hiroshi Sugimoto: Extinct Photography"
June 16 (Tue) – September 13 (Sun) | 1F Special Exhibition Gallery
This exhibition traces the work of contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto (b. 1948) through approximately 60 silver halide photographs, from his early works in the late 1970s to the present.
Admission: General ¥2,300 / University students ¥1,200 / High school students ¥700
A "Hiroshi Sugimoto: Extinct Photography" ticket also grants same-day admission to "MOMAT Collection" and the mini-exhibition "The 120th Birth Anniversary: Saburo Hasegawa and The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo."
Related Events
Film Screening: The Memory of Origin: Hiroshi Sugimoto
July 24 (Fri) and 25 (Sat), 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | B1F Auditorium
(Advance purchase required: "Hiroshi Sugimoto: Extinct Photography" general ticket + film screening combo)Lecture: "Sugimoto Hiroshi, Plural"
August 8 (Sat), 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | B1F Auditorium
Speaker: Rei Masuda (Chief Researcher)
Free admission; day-of numbered tickets distributed
Venue Information
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT)
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Fridays and Saturdays until 8:00 PM) Last admission 30 minutes before closing |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Address | 3-1 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8322 |
| Access | 3-min walk from Exit 1b, Tokyo Metro Tozai Line "Takebashi" Station / 15-min walk from Exit 2, "Kudanshita" Station or Exit A1, "Jimbocho" Station |
| Website | https://www.momat.go.jp |
