Edo in Focus: Japanese Treasures from the British Museum — Tokyo

More than 100 ukiyo-e prints centre on eight leading artists, including Utamaro, Sharaku, Hokusai and Hiroshige. The wider exhibition pairs that printmaking tradition with hand-painted works and larger formats: Maruyama Okyo’s tiger-and-cubs screens, eight preparatory drawings by Hokusai from an unpublished illustrated book, and related Kano-school sliding-door paintings brought together from London, Aomori and Seattle. These different formats make the exhibition rewarding beyond its familiar artist names. Compare a print designed for circulation with a painted screen or sliding door intended to shape an interior, then follow the collectors’ stories to understand how the works reached Britain.

Reservation

Reservation is usually not required

Tickets / booking

Regular admission is ¥2,300 for adults, ¥1,300 for university and vocational-school students, and ¥1,600 for visitors aged 65 or over. Visitors aged 18 or under and high-school students or younger enter free; bring proof for age or student concessions. Holders of the disability and other certificates listed by the museum, with one accompanying person, enter free. Ordinary admission currently needs no date-and-time reservation. Advance-ticket sales and the summer student-free period have ended.

Price note

Adults ¥2,300; university/vocational students ¥1,300; age 65+ ¥1,600. Age 18 and under / high-school students and younger free with proof.

Access

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is in Ueno Park. Allow about seven minutes on foot from JR Ueno Station’s Park Exit, or ten minutes from Tokyo Metro Ueno Station exit 7 or Keisei Ueno Station. Use the special exhibition galleries for this show. Last entry is 17:00 on ordinary opening days and 19:30 on Fridays.

Rain

The exhibition is indoors, but the station approach crosses Ueno Park outdoors. Include that walk when planning a rainy-day museum visit; Friday’s later closing does not shorten the approach.

Crowds

Entry may involve a wait, and the organiser may introduce restrictions or timed entry if the galleries become crowded. Before choosing an arrival time, use the exhibition’s official ticket page for the current entry arrangements. The museum exhibition page carries the calendar and programme notices; registration for the 19 September lecture has closed.

Nearby spots

The Ueno Park location makes it practical to combine the show with a park walk. Keep the exhibition’s own admission deadline as the fixed point of the day, especially if arriving after other sightseeing.

Itinerary hint

On a Friday, the 20:00 closing offers an evening option after daytime sightseeing, with admission ending at 19:30. On other opening days, place the exhibition earlier in the route. Mondays are usually closed, with the listed holiday exceptions; 13 October is also closed.