On the third floor of Tokyo Midtown Galleria in Roppongi, the Suntory Museum of Art explores the idea of beauty in everyday life. Its changing exhibitions draw on a collection of around 3,000 works, from Japanese ceramics, lacquerware and paintings to glass and textiles from East and West. Look out for pieces such as the Western Kings on Horseback, an early Japanese example of Western-style painting. There is no permanent display, so check the current exhibition before you go. The museum is easy to pair with a visit to Tokyo Midtown’s shops.
Art connected to daily life
The Suntory Museum of Art was founded in 1961 around the idea of finding beauty in everyday life. Its collection brings together objects and artworks that connect with how people live, including paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, glass, textiles and other crafts. The collection numbers around 3,000 works, with pieces from Japan and elsewhere in East Asia, as well as glass from both East and West.
Rather than presenting a permanent gallery of its collection, the museum builds its programme around special exhibitions. The selection changes, with shows focused on different artists, materials and periods. That approach means a return visit can present a different view of the collection and of Japanese art. Check what is on before planning your visit, since the exhibition determines what you will see.
A painting that connects Japan and the wider world
One notable work is Western Kings on Horseback, an early example of Western-style painting in Japan. The image is based on figures shown in the margin of a world map published in Amsterdam. The scene was enlarged, coloured and made into a large-format painting.
The figures have been identified as several kings, including Henry IV of France, though the identity of the figure at the far left is disputed. The work gives a glimpse of Japan’s connection with the outside world and stands apart from the traditional crafts also represented in the museum’s collection.
The museum in Tokyo Midtown
The museum occupies the third floor of Tokyo Midtown Galleria in Roppongi. Architect Kengo Kuma designed its setting as an urban living room, bringing modern design together with Japanese tradition. Ceramic panels form vertical screens on the building’s exterior; their arrangement allows natural light into the space while creating a calm atmosphere.
The museum began in Marunouchi before moving to Roppongi in 2007. Its location within a shopping complex can make it less obvious to find than a building with a prominent street entrance. Once inside Tokyo Midtown, head to the Galleria’s third floor. The shopping and dining in the complex make it straightforward to combine the visit with time elsewhere in the building.
Planning your visit
The museum’s exhibitions cover different forms of Japanese art, from paintings and pottery to glass and lacquer work. Past displays have included artists and objects from a range of periods, so the exhibition programme is the best guide to what will be on view during your trip. Admission is determined separately for each exhibition, and booking ahead is recommended.
The museum also has a tea ceremony room, Genchoan, where traditional tea ceremonies are held every other Thursday. A shop and café are also mentioned among the museum’s facilities. If either is part of your plan, check the museum’s current information before visiting, as the available programme and exhibition schedule can shape how you spend your time there.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does the Suntory Museum of Art have a permanent exhibition?
No. The museum presents changing special exhibitions, so check the current programme before your visit.
Where is the Suntory Museum of Art?
It is on the third floor of Tokyo Midtown Galleria in Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo.
How much is admission?
Admission is set separately for each exhibition. Advance tickets are recommended.
Can you attend a tea ceremony at the museum?
Traditional tea ceremonies are held in the Genchoan tea room every other Thursday.
