National Art Center, Tokyo 🇯🇵

Located in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) offers you a unique cultural experience as one of Japan's most dynamic art venues. Opened in January 2007, it was the first new national art museum built in Japan in thirty years. Designed by renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa as his final completed project before his death, the building is celebrated for its striking, wave-like glass curtain wall façade and its peaceful "museum in a forest" concept.

Spanning one basement level and four above-ground floors, the facility operates strictly as an "art center" rather than a traditional museum, meaning it maintains no permanent collection or display. Instead, you can explore a constantly changing lineup of temporary special exhibitions and displays organized by public art associations across six main high-ceilinged exhibition rooms. Beyond the galleries, you can browse the public Art Library focusing on modern and contemporary art, relax in the Art Commons, shop for exhibition catalogs and art books at the museum shop, or dine at the on-site cafés and restaurants, including unique dining facilities housed inside the atrium's conical structures.

Film fans might even recognize the space from its feature in the animated film *Your Name*.

What to see at National Art Center, Tokyo

• Architect Kisho Kurokawa's final completed project featuring a wave-like glass façade
• Six spacious exhibition halls dedicated to ever-changing temporary shows
• Unique dining options located inside the atrium's dramatic conical structures
• Public Art Library specializing in modern and contemporary art literature
• Direct underground connection to Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line

Visiting tips

Take the underground connection directly from Exit 6 of Nogizaka Station for seamless access straight into the center.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Weekdays

How to get there & what’s nearby

National Art Center, Tokyo is easy to reach on Tokyo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Hanayashiki and Tobacco and Salt Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tokyo travel guide.