Artizon Museum is an art museum in Kyobashi, central Tokyo, a few minutes’ walk from Tokyo Station. Its collection ranges from French Impressionist works and Western-style Japanese painting to modern and contemporary art, with works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Hokusai. The galleries sit across the fourth to sixth floors of a modern building, where natural light and carefully adjusted lighting shape the viewing experience. Temporary exhibitions add works from other collections; English descriptions and audio tours can help you explore them.
From the Bridgestone Museum to Artizon
The museum was formerly known as the Bridgestone Museum of Art. Its collection was assembled by Shojiro Ishibashi, founder of Bridgestone Tire Company, and the institution has drawn art lovers since the mid-20th century. It reopened as Artizon Museum in 2020, taking a name formed from “art” and “horizon.”
The current museum occupies the lower section of a 23-storey tower. Its galleries span floors four to six and cover twice the area of the former museum. The redesign brought a new building and a forward-looking direction for the collection.
Paintings and sculpture in the collection
The collection includes French Impressionist art and sculpture, alongside Japanese painting in Western styles from the post-Meiji period. Shigeru Aoki and Tsuguharu Foujita are among the Japanese artists represented. Works by Picasso, Utrillo and Van Gogh are also part of the collection.
Japanese art spans further periods and styles: the holdings include works by Hokusai and Yokoyama Taikan, as well as traditional and contemporary pieces. The museum also presents temporary exhibitions drawing on works from other private collections and museums abroad, so the displays can extend beyond its own holdings.
Gallery design and exhibitions
Natural light and the building’s modern design shape the galleries. The museum also developed adjustable LED spotlights with Yamagiwa Corporation to present works under carefully controlled lighting. The lights can be dimmed and their colour adjusted, with individual control through a wireless tablet system.
Temporary exhibitions can include English audio tours and written material. Popular shows can attract crowds, so advance online tickets are a practical choice when you have a particular exhibition in mind. English descriptions in the galleries provide another way to follow the works as you visit.
Häufige Fragen
Where is Artizon Museum?
It is at 1 Chome-7-2 Kyobashi in Chuo City, Tokyo, a few minutes’ walk from Tokyo Station.
What can you see at Artizon Museum?
The collection includes French Impressionist art and sculpture, post-Meiji Japanese painting, and works by artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Hokusai. Temporary exhibitions may bring in works from other collections.
Should I book Artizon Museum tickets in advance?
Booking online ahead is recommended for popular exhibitions, which can sell out.
Does Artizon Museum have English information?
English descriptions are available in the galleries. Some temporary exhibitions also have English audio tours and written material.
