October 2022: Please note Hara Museum of Contemporary Art has now permanently closed. Please see our Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa page for other things to see and do in the area.
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in Shinagawa, the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art houses a strong collection of post-1950s art including works by Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara, and Mark Rothko. It’s a must-visit for fans of art, and a lovely green respite from urban Tokyo to boot.
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art - image © Florentyna Leow
Tokyo has many galleries and museum spaces for contemporary art, but few have buildings as beautiful as the art they house.
Designed by Jin Watanabe, the same architect behind Wako in Ginza and the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art is a beautiful example of Art Deco-influenced Japanese early modern architecture. It was converted from a private residence to a museum and opened to the public in 1979.
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art - image © Florentyna Leow
Today, the museum holds around 1000 works of contemporary art from the post-1950s, including major artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Yoshitomo Nara, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko. It's not all paintings: there's photographs, videos, installations, and sculptures, too. The museum also regularly hosts events and lectures to promote up-and-coming domestic and international artists.
Besides the artworks inside the building and the building itself, it's also worth visiting this museum for the sculpture garden. Don't forget to check out Cafe d’Art, where the menu changes to reflect the theme of the current exhibition - so you can look at your cake and eat it too.
English name:
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
Japanese name:
原美術館
English address:
4-7-25 Kita-shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0001
Japanese address:
〒140-0001 東京都品川区北品川4-7-25
Opening hours:
Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday: 11am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Wednesday: 11am-8pm (last entry 7:30pm)
Closed Monday or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday
Admission:
Adults: 1100
70 years old and over: 550
College and high school students: 700
Junior high and elementary school students: 500
Nearest Transport:
Train: 15-minute walk from the Takanawa exit of Shinagawa Station on the JR Yamanote line.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Hara Museum of Contemporary Art on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-3-3445-0651
Website:
Official Website (Japanese or English)
Near To Here:
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Tokyo's Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa district. See our complete list of things to do in Tokyo's Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
