In association with Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture
Having trouble finding time for Tokyo’s museums? We’ve all been there: most of them close before 6pm on weekdays, making post-work art appreciation impossible, while going on a weekend usually means elbowing your way through a sea of humanity just to get a glimpse of the exhibits.
But there’s hope on the horizon: this summer, six national and city-run museums in the capital are teaming up for Night Museum, an extravaganza of events and extended opening hours running from July 20 to August 26.
During said period, all participating institutions will stay open until 9pm on at least one day of the week, with most extending their hours on two days weekly. And that, in turn, opens up all kinds of exciting possibilities: how about taking in an exhibition before hitting the bars, or avoiding the evening rush hour by admiring art long past sunset?
However you choose to take advantage of the longer hours, there’s plenty to look forward to: in addition to the events listed below, the programme includes a slew of gallery talks and lectures (all in Japanese, natch), plus discounts for exhibition ticket-holders at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Edo-Tokyo Museum’s cafés and restaurants after 5.30pm.
You can also save money on drinks at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, which offers similar discounts after 6pm, and sip on a cold one at the National Museum of Modern Art, where beer, wine and snacks can be enjoyed on the museum lawn on weekends.
Check out the full details and extended opening hours for each museum below (or on this website), and note that the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum out in Koganei will also be joining the party by keeping its doors open until 8.30pm on August 5 and 6.
’Summer Night Museum’ opening hours and events
1. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Open until 9pm on Fridays (July 21-August 25)
Free entry for students to the ’Hiroshi Sugito: Module or Lacuna’ exhibition after 5.30pm on Fridays, discounts on full price tickets
Free mini-concerts in the foyer on July 28 (from 6pm and 7pm)
Free open-air ’Heaven Artist’ gigs on August 11 (from 5.30pm and 6.30pm)
2. Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
Open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays (July 20-August 25)
Free entry for students after 6pm on Fridays (all exhibitions except ‘World Press Photo 17’), discounts on full price and senior tickets
Free mini-concert on August 25 (from 6pm)
3. Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum
Open until 9pm on Fridays (July 21-August 25)
Free entry for students to the permanent exhibition after 5.30pm on Fridays, discounts on full price and senior tickets
¥100 discount on entry to the ‘Sengoku! From Ii Naotora to Naomasa’ exhibit on July 28 (3pm-9pm)
45-minute rakugo shows every Friday night from 6.30pm
4. The National Art Center, Tokyo
Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays (July 21-August 26, Alberto Giacometti exhibition until 8pm, 'Sunshower' until 9pm)
5. The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays (July 21-August 26)
¥200 discount (¥100 for students) to ‘The Japanese House’ exhibition after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays
Free entry for students (¥200 discount for adults) to the permanent exhibition after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays
Food truck zone with beer, wine and snacks open every Friday and Saturday
6. The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo
Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays (July 21-August 26, includes the 'Arcimboldo: Nature into Art' exhibition)
Free entry to the permanent exhibition after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays
Mini-concert by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra on July 28
Slide talks (around 30min each) from 6pm on July 24, August 4 and 18. Note that all talks are in Japanese only