From May 8th (Fri) to May 24th (Sun), enjoy a special week exploring the Ueno area, featuring museums, popular spots, and gourmet food! Enjoy culture and art while exploring the city at a great price!
In the Ueno area, in commemoration of "International Museum Day" on May 18th, "Ueno Museum Week" will be held, with the cooperation of 13 facilities including museums, art galleries, and zoos located around Ueno Park, as well as member stores of the Ueno Norenkai (Ueno Traditional Shop Association). Following last year's great success, the digital stamp rally will continue, and many exhibitions will be held throughout the town, making this an even more attractive special week. Combined with the annual "Town Fun" coupons, the entire Ueno area will become a theme park overflowing with the excitement and thrills of culture, so please enjoy this special time to the fullest.
The main attraction this year is the "free admission" event held in commemoration of "International Museum Day." Please note that this year it will be on Tuesday, May 19th. You can enjoy free admission to the permanent exhibitions of five museums: the Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo National Museum Collection Exhibition), the National Museum of Nature and Science, the National Museum of Western Art, the former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall, and the Shitamachi Museum.
Matsuzakaya Ueno's art gallery will feature historical works of art that have evolved alongside the development of department store culture, while Ueno Marui will feature a credit card that supports museums when used. In addition to cultural facilities within the park, spots where you can feel art in the city will also be rally points, such as CREATIVE HUB UENO “es” (Ueno Station), a gallery created by renovating the former police box site at Ueno Station, and PARCO_ya Ueno, where local artists will hold exhibitions with a panda theme.
Enjoy the atmosphere of Ueno, a town of art, through both International Museum Day and the stamp rally.
■Event Overview■
International Museum Day Commemorative Event 2026: Ueno Museum Week
Event period: May 8th (Fri) – May 24th (Sun), 2026
Venue (participating facilities/organizations): Tokyo National Museum / National Museum of Nature and Science / National Museum of Western Art / Tokyo University of the Arts Museum / Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum / Ueno Zoo / Ueno Royal Museum / Taito City Former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall / Former Iwasaki Garden / National Archives of Modern Architecture / National Diet Library International Library of Children's Literature / Toeizan Kaneiji Temple / Taito City Shitamachi Museum / Ueno Norenkai participating shops (in no particular order)
*There will be days when the museum is closed during the exhibition period.
Organized by: Ueno Museum Week Executive Committee
Co-organizer: Ueno Norenkai
Sponsored by: The National Foundation for the Promotion of Science Museums
Cooperation: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Eastern Parks and Green Spaces Office, Taito Ward, Taito Ward Arts and Culture Foundation
Official website: http://www.ueno-mw.com/
■【Ueno Mori Machifurari】Ueno Museum Week 2026 ~International Museum Day~■
"A thrilling stroll through the forest, a satisfying meal in the city: A greedy walk through Ueno"
A digital stamp rally will be held from May 8th (Fri) to May 24th (Sun). Stamp points will appear at the participating facilities listed below.
[Checkpoints Introduction]
1. Tokyo National Museum
2.National Museum of Nature and Science
3.National Museum of Western Art
4. International Library of Children's Literature, National Diet Library
5. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
6. Ueno Royal Museum
7. Former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall
8. Tokyo University of the Arts University Art Museum
9. Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple, Konpon-chudo Hall
10. Former Iwasaki Residence Garden
11. Shitamachi Museum
12. Ueno Marui
13. CREATIVE HUB UENO “es” (JR Ueno Station)
14. Matsuzakaya Ueno Store
15. PARCO_ya Ueno
[How to use]
Download the digital stamp rally app "furari" to your smartphone. Go to the designated locations at participating facilities that are part of the stamp rally and collect stamps.
0 stamps… Morimachi coupon usable at restaurants and shops in the Ueno area.
Three stamps… Special hand-drawn artwork from the Art-Fostering Town Club – Ueno Museum Week 2026.
7 stamps… Prizes from each participating museum
15 stamps… Prizes from participating museums (double your chances of winning)
*Prizes will be shipped to winners one to two months after the end of Museum Week.
★ 0 stamps
Morimachi coupons can be used at restaurants and shops in the Ueno area.
From eel, yakiniku, Western food, and sweets to women's clothing, bags, and sukajan jackets.
Take advantage of this opportunity to use our special coupon, which can be used for a wide range of purposes.
You can use it simply by registering for the app.
List of stores and facilities where digital coupons can be used
https://ueno-morimachi.jp/coupon
★ 3 stamps
Ueno Museum Week 2026 Special Original Drawings: 40 pieces (40 sets)
Four artists from the Ueno art group, Gei wo Hagukumu Machi Doukoukai, will each create 10 drawings of their own choosing. These original drawings will be given away by lottery.
★ 7 stamps
List of prizes from each participating museum
★ 7 stamps (& 15 stamps)
Prizes from each participating museum
*Winners will be selected by lottery from among those who applied.
These prizes are provided by the participating museums (11 museums).
〇 Tokyo National Museum Award
– Tokyo National Museum Collection Exhibition Invitation Ticket + Original Ticket Folder Set (20 sets, 40 tickets total)
URL: https://www.tnm.jp/
〇National Museum of Nature and Science Award
・Common invitation ticket
Two tickets per person, for 20 people. *Each person can enter one permanent exhibition at any of the following facilities (Ueno Main Building, Tsukuba Botanical Garden, or Nature Education Garden) once.
・URL: http://www.kahaku.go.jp
〇 National Museum of Western Art Award
・20 pairs (40 tickets total) of free admission tickets to the special exhibition "Rembrandt the Printmaker: Challenge, Inheritance, and Impact"
・URL: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/
〇Tokyo University of the Arts University Art Museum Award
– University art museum original postcard (20 winners)
・URL: https://museum.geidai.ac.jp/
〇Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Award
・20 pairs (40 tickets total) of free admission tickets to the special exhibition "Landscapes of This Place – Ueno, Omuta, Buenos Aires"
・URL: https://www.tobikan.jp/
Ueno Royal Museum Award
– Invitation tickets to the "Great Van Gogh Exhibition: Cafe Terrace at Night" (5 pairs, 10 people)
・URL: http://www.ueno-mori.org/
〇 Former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall Award
・20 sets of "2 invitation tickets + ticket holder"
・URL: https://www.taitogeibun.net/sougakudou/
〇 Former Iwasaki Residence Garden Award
– Former Iwasaki Residence Garden original mini clear file + original postcard [20 sets] (20 winners)
・URL: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/kyu-iwasaki-tei/
〇 National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Architecture Award
20 sets of 4 postcards each
・URL: https://nama.bunka.go.jp/
〇 Shitamachi Museum Award
20 sets of 3 postcards each
・URL: https://www.taitogeibun.net/shitamachi/
〇 Toeizan Kan'eiji Prize
– Special, non-saleable goshuincho (stamp book) (one per person): 10 winners
URL: http://kaneiji.jp/
〇 Art and Things Award
– Ring notebooks with handwritten illustrations by artists (not printed): 10 winners
・URL: https://www.mono-to-art.com/
[Checkpoints Introduction]
Ueno Marui
Ueno Marui is a landmark commercial facility located just a few minutes' walk from JR Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Ueno Station. With approximately 100 tenants from the second basement floor to the ninth floor, offering a wide range of shopping and dining options, it's a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike, symbolizing the vibrant atmosphere of Ueno. Events and pop-ups are frequently held on each floor, making it a bustling location that reflects the lively spirit of Ueno.
The Museum Epos Card is a credit card that supports museums with your everyday purchases. There's no annual fee, and you can choose your favorite museum design. Every time you use it, 0.1% of your spending goes to participating museums, helping to preserve cultural assets, artworks, and specimens for the future. It's a card that will delight both card enthusiasts and art lovers.
The website is available here .
Ueno Marui (6-15-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
CREATIVE HUB UENO “es”
As the first step in a comprehensive partnership agreement between Tokyo University of the Arts and JR East, this gallery was created by renovating the former police box site at Ueno Station. It will exhibit works by young artists who are students or graduates of Tokyo University of the Arts, providing an opportunity to experience art that reflects the times. Furthermore, the entire Ueno Station will be envisioned as an art museum, and visitors will be guided through the art installations scattered throughout the station, creating a space for diverse cultural exchange. The gallery name "es" is a psychological term referring to the "realm of the unconscious," and was chosen with the aim of creating a space that embodies a small but infinite realm of expression, containing diverse desires and energies.
Venue: CREATIVE HUB UENO “es” (7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Event Period: April 28, 2026 (Tue) – May 31, 2026 (Sun) Duration: 30 days
Closed on: May 11th (Mon), May 18th (Mon), and May 25th (Mon)
Gallery hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last entry 6:45 PM)
Exhibition content: Aimi Saito Solo Exhibition "Small Vehicles"
Manami Saito solo exhibition “An Exhibition of Small Vehicles”
Titled "Small Vehicles," this exhibition showcases works I've created to date.
"Books and Trains" 2025 Glue, hemp paper, mineral pigments
Manami Saito
Saito creates paintings using mineral pigments. These granular pigments, made by crushing minerals, have a unique and eye-catching color and texture. While capturing the subtleties of everyday life, he has come to realize anew that "vehicles" are fascinating forms, and in this exhibition, he will focus his works on the motif of vehicles.
Career
Graduated from the Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 2018.
2020 Graduate School of Fine Arts, Master's Program in Painting, Japanese Painting Research Field
2023 Graduate School of Fine Arts, Doctoral Program, Department of Fine Arts, Japanese Painting Research Area
Currently an associate member of the Japan Art Institute.
Main exhibition history
2022 L'Espoir Newcomer Selection Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery)
2024 Solo Exhibition "-Days of Bygone-" (Matsuzakaya Ueno Store, Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store)
Matsuzakaya Ueno Store
The art gallery at Matsuzakaya Ueno Department Store is a historic sales area that has grown alongside the development of department store culture. Since the post-war period, it has held exhibitions in a wide range of fields, including Japanese painting, Western painting, and crafts, introducing works by many artists, from renowned figures to emerging talents. Located in Ueno, a city of culture and art, it continues to host many exhibitions today, serving as a platform for disseminating art culture and showcasing artists' work. Please feel free to visit us on this occasion.
The exhibition schedule is as follows. Please note that the latest information is updated regularly, so please check the page below for details.
https://shopblog.dmdepart.jp/ueno/art/
Matsuzakaya Ueno Store is a long-established department store representing the Ueno area, boasting a history dating back to its founding in 1768. It is directly connected to Ueno-Hirokoji Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and is also just a 2-minute walk from JR Okachimachi Station, making it easily accessible. From the basement to the 8th floor, it offers a wide range of products, from food and fashion to lifestyle goods, and has long been a beloved landmark in Ueno for locals.
Matsuzakaya Ueno Store (3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Art gallery until 6:30 PM)
PARCO_ya Ueno
This commercial facility in Ueno Frontier Tower is based on the concept of "Parco for a slightly more upscale, adult audience." From the basement to the 6th floor, you'll find a selection of carefully curated fashion and gourmet food, and from the 7th floor upwards, you'll find TOHO Cinemas Ueno. It's a perfect outing spot for adults where you can enjoy both shopping and movies at the same time.
PANDER WONDER ~SAYAKA KOBORI's Exciting Panda Museum~ will also be held concurrently.
An exhibition by artist Sayaka Kobori of the Geiikukai will be held next to the escalator on the 2nd floor. A collection of rare pandas, including a panda on a pink background, will be on display, perfect for Museum Week. GOGO Panda paintings created for the city's Chinese New Year event will also be exhibited.
*A lottery-based sale will be held only between May 15th (Fri) and May 17th (Sun).
Special event for Ueno Museum Week! "Special Ueno Panda" appears at PARCO-YA Ueno
The panda being unveiled this time is the "Special Ueno Panda," whose fluffy white and pink fur is sure to catch the eye.
Its soft texture makes you want to stroke it, and the elegant ribbon tied around the neck adds to its charm.
And its charm lies in its clear, round eyes that seem to gaze intently at you. This is a truly adorable piece, filled with the warmth and delicate expression that only handcrafted work can provide.
Why not welcome a favorite piece just for you, as a memento of your art stroll through Ueno or as a special source of comfort in your daily life? Please come and see their adorable forms in person at the PARCO-YA Ueno venue.
PARCO_ya Ueno (3-24-6 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (6th floor restaurant "Kofuku Kairo" is open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM)
The Art-Fostering Community Club: Ueno Museum Week Special – Original Drawing Artists
Examples of drawings by Sayaka Kobori
Megumi Iida's drawing examples
Drawing examples by Itsuki Yanagisawa
Chika Toys (CHIKA) Drawing Examples
Kobori Sayaka
A soft sculpture artist. Believing that "cuteness saves the world," she works with the theme of bringing healing and hope to people living in an oppressive society. Using high-quality materials such as German-made fur fabric, she is committed to high-end handmade craftsmanship from pattern making to sewing, dyeing, and accessories. With her Uchinoko series as her main focus, she explores the possibilities of plush toys as a medium through advertising visuals, event appearances, and social media posts. Her "Ueno Panda," a collaboration with the Ueno Tourism Association, continues to soothe the hearts of many panda fans who visit Ueno even though the pandas are gone. Member of the Association for Nurturing the Arts.
The Ueno Panda, an official plush toy of the Ueno Tourism Association, is available here .
Biography and Exhibition History
Ueno's Future Exhibition 2020 (Ueno Marui, Tokyo)
First solo exhibition "Sayaka Kobori's Stuffed Animal Exhibition" (Gallery ROCKET, Omotesando Hills, Tokyo)
Future Artists Tokyo 2021 (Tokyo International Forum Art Fair Tokyo 2021)
Solo exhibition "Sayaka Kobori Exhibition" (Laforet Harajuku, Tokyo)
Exhibited at Laforet Harajuku's Love and Ecstasy Market in 2022.
Megumi Iida
Painter. Interested in and creating works about memories and events that fade away from recognition. By recording the existence of things that become hazy and uncertain in painting, she attempts to recognize the existence of the invisible. Born in 2000, from Chiba Prefecture.
Biography and Exhibition History
Graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Oil Painting in March 2024.
April 2024: Enrolled in the Master's Program in Art and Design at Musashino Art University Graduate School.
Currently enrolled in master's program
January 2024: 2023 Academic Year Musashino Art University Graduation and Completion Exhibition / Musashino Art University Takanodai Campus
November 2024 Group Exhibition:EPIC PAINTERS Vol:14@THE blank GALLERY,Tokyo
Itsuki Yanagisawa
The artist creates oil paintings with "texture" as the theme. By enlarging snake scales to compose the image, and layering fine details and colors, a mysterious texture is created, and each viewer will perceive the texture, temperature, and mass of the object differently. This is because each viewer has a different environment, knowledge, and experience.
Biography and Exhibition History
Born in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture in 2001.
Graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Oil Painting, Oil Painting Major in 2024.
February 2024: "The Great Art Education Association Exhibition," Matsuzakaya Ueno Store, 7th Floor Art Gallery, A Community for Fostering the Arts
February 2024: Hakkendo "Young Artist Open Call Exhibition 'Good Buds Blooming Buds' in TOKYO 2024" Matsuzakaya Ueno Store
September 2024, Hakkendo "KANZEN -Complete-" Isetan Shinjuku Store
CHIKA Toys
A sculptor, he explores forms of coexistence between AI and humans through futuristic retro designs. His robots, with their unusual heads, possess a charming humor and, at times, a touch of melancholy, despite their rugged and rusty appearance. He re-examines the relationship between technology and humanity, and critically examines a sustainable future. Through his portrayal of society and his own existence, he expresses a unique worldview that prompts viewers to consider what it means to be human. He is an extremely popular artist with over 100,000 followers.
Twitter is here
Instagram is here
Biography and Exhibition History
Born in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
First exhibited at "Design Festa vol.38" in 2013, officially launching creative activities.
First participated in "Wonder Festival" in 2014, and has been active mainly in both Wonder Festival and Design Festa. 2020: Ueno Future Exhibition (Ueno Marui, Tokyo)
Future Artists Tokyo 2021 (Tokyo International Forum Art Fair Tokyo 2021)
2023 10th Anniversary Exhibition "CHIKA WORLD" (HOWHOUSE, Yanaka, Tokyo)
■Don't throw away that ticket stub! Coupon service■
During the event period, you can receive free services at the following stores by presenting your ticket stub from each museum. For details on the services offered, please visit the Ueno Museum Week official website.
[Participating Stores]
Kurofune-tei (dessert service included)
Izuei (One complimentary cup of oolong tea or green tea)
Anmitsu Mihashi (with 2 mochi balls as a topping)
Taishoen (One complimentary draft beer or soft drink)
Sakurai's carefully selected Western-style cuisine (one complimentary draft beer or soft drink)
Tenjuju (One free vegetable tempura item)
Kameya Issuitei (One free red bean monaka ice cream)
Kaiseki Chinese Cuisine Kogetsu (One complimentary soft drink or beer)
Hachinoki (One glass of wine or dessert; coffee service with lunch)
Yoshi Sushi (One complimentary draft beer or soft drink)
Ueno Marui (One free museum original sticker will be given to the first 200 customers)
Delhi Ueno Store (70th Anniversary Original Sticker Giveaway *First 200 customers only)
[How to use]
Show your ticket stub for a cultural facility in Ueno Park.
QR codes on your smartphone, or those printed at convenience stores or ticket counters, are also acceptable.
*One ticket per person.
*Cannot be used in conjunction with coupon services.
■What is International Museum Day?■
International Museum Day is an international day established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to promote a broader understanding of the role of museums. With the aim of making museums more accessible to a wider audience and raising awareness of their role, commemorative events are held at museums around the world on and around May 18th. In Ueno, which has an exceptionally large number of cultural facilities such as museums and art galleries, the period around International Museum Day is celebrated as "Ueno Museum Week" each year, with cultural facilities and the Ueno Noren Association holding various commemorative events.
■Ueno Norenkai■
Ueno, known as the "Cloud of Flowers," has been a representative entertainment district since the Edo period. Since the Meiji era, it has been a center for the dissemination of arts and culture. The Ueno Norenkai is a federation of about 100 famous shops in Ueno. Since its founding in 1959 (Showa 34), it has been publishing the town magazine "Ueno" every month, aiming to rediscover the cultural traditions of this area. The magazine is currently on its 796th issue (as of April 2026).
■Flyer■
◎Inquiries
Ueno Museum Week Executive Committee Secretariat
TEL 03-3833-8016 FAX 03-3839-2765 (Ueno Norenkai, Weekdays 10:00-17:00)
[Ueno Norenkai] Press Release
