The National Museum of Western Art will be holding “Christmas at the Museum” from Tuesday, November 26, 2024 to Wednesday, December 25, 2024, for approximately one month, where visitors can enjoy a variety of events.
■ Purpose of the event
In the West, Christmas is a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but in Japan, it is loved by many people in various ways as one of the seasonal events. Why not add “spending Christmas at an art museum” to your enjoyment? Spend time leisurely looking at paintings at the museum, or participate in a program with family and friends… This project, which started in 2007 with the desire to “make it easy for anyone to visit our museum,” is a seasonal winter event at our museum, which has a rich collection of Christian-themed artworks.
This event, which has usually been held mainly on weekends in December, will be held over a period of about one month this year. We have prepared events that can be enjoyed in various styles, from those with children and those visiting the museum for the first time to regular visitors, so please take advantage of this opportunity.
*Some programs require prior application. Please see our website for details.
Overview
①Everyone’s Christmas Carol Concert [Advance registration required]
This is an a cappella concert featuring songs related to Christmas. The lights in the auditorium will be kept bright, and you will be free to enter and exit the venue. Anyone, from small children to adults, can participate with peace of mind.
Last year’s event
Performed by: Ai Okada (soprano), Momoka Osawa (soprano), Masanori Taguchi (tenor), Naohito Sekiguchi (baritone)
Date and time: Saturday, December 14, 2024, 15:00-15:40
Sunday, December 15, 2024 11:00-11:40
Capacity: 100 people per session
Target audience: Anyone
Participation fee: Free
Venue: Auditorium (2nd basement floor)
How to participate: Advance registration required
* Small children are welcome. Cushions are available for rental for children.
*The lights in the auditorium will not be dimmed completely.
*Applicants are free to enter and exit as they wish.
*There is a “free area” that you can use if you find it difficult to return to your seat or if you want to move seats temporarily.
*Wheelchair seats and wheelchair accessible seats are available.
*Assistance dogs are permitted.
*The building has nursing rooms, diaper changing stations, strollers and wheelchairs available for rental.
②Gallery Talk [Registration on the day]
Several works related to Christianity and Christmas from the permanent exhibition will be selected, and volunteer staff from the museum will provide commentary on the highlights of the works.
Last year’s event
Date and time: Saturday, December 14, 2024, 11:00-11:30 *Sign language interpretation included: Anyone can participate, whether they use sign language or not.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 13:00-13:30
Sunday, December 15, 2024 11:00-11:30
Sunday, December 15, 2024 13:00-13:30
Capacity: 15 people per session (first come, first served)
Target audience: Anyone
Participation fee: Free (However, a permanent exhibition ticket is required)
Venue: Permanent Exhibition Room
Reception location: 19th Century Hall (1st floor of the main building)
How to participate: Registration on the day (no prior registration required)
③ Volunteer tour * Sign language interpretation available [Registration on the day]
This is a drop-in program planned and run by volunteer staff at the museum, and no reservation is required. We plan to have events that anyone from children to adults can easily participate in, such as enjoying simple creative activities related to works in our collection. Themes and details will be posted on our website at a later date.
Sign language interpreters will be available, so those who use sign language can participate with confidence.
Last year’s event
Date and time: Saturday, December 14, 2024, 10:00-15:00
Sunday, December 15, 2024 10:00-15:00
*The event will end as soon as materials run out each day.
Participation fee: Free (However, a permanent exhibition ticket is required)
Target audience: Anyone
Venue: Workshop Room (New Building 2nd floor, near the Printmaking and Drawing Room)
Reception location: Same as above
How to participate: Registration on the day (no prior registration required)
④Winter only! Audio guide “Curator’s Voice”
This is an audio commentary on works by our museum researchers, available only in the winter season. They will introduce about 10 works from the permanent exhibition, based on the exhibitions they are in charge of and their daily research activities. You can enjoy the in-depth commentary by the researchers for free.
Please scan the 2D barcode at the information desk to access the audio guide web app. Please bring your smartphone and earphones when using it in the exhibition room. A script is included, so text information is also provided.
⑤Kawasaki Free Sunday Quiz Rally
Kawasaki Free Sunday, our monthly free admission day for the permanent exhibition, will feature a quiz rally on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Those who answer all questions correctly will receive original merchandise.
*Please note that original goods are available in limited quantities.
Don’t miss the permanent museum shop and restaurant, both of which are only available during the Christmas season!
● SHOP
Our original packaged Kaminariokoshi is available with ribbons tied around it during the Christmas season (limited quantities). We have also created a replica of a ring from the Hashimoto Collection. The words engraved on the ring are romantic: “My heart is sincere” (outside of the hoop) and “All yours” (inside of the hoop). Why not give it as a gift together with the Hashimoto Collection “Rings” catalogue?
Pound chocolate, 400 (tax included)
Kaminariokoshi 864 (tax included)
Replica ring (Posey ring) sizes 9, 13, and 15
,800 (tax included)
Hashimoto Collection Ring Catalog, 200 (tax included)
● CAFÉ Suiren
We offer a roast beef course as well as original Christmas cakes.
Roast beef course, 300 (tax included)
■Exhibitions held at the museum during the Christmas period
Special exhibition “Monet’s Water Lilies” Period: Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (National Holiday) Venue: Special Exhibition Room
・Special exhibition “Augustus John and his times – Modern British art from the Matsukata Collection”
Period: Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (National Holiday) Venue: Print and Painting Exhibition Room (Permanent Exhibition Room)
About the National Museum of Western Art
Museum name | National Museum of Western Art
Address | 7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
Opening hours: 9:30-17:30 (until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays during the Monet exhibition) *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays and closed the following weekday), New Year’s holidays (December 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025) *For the latest information on opening hours and closing days, please check the “Announcements” page on the official website of the National Museum of Western Art.
Permanent exhibition admission fee (tax included) | Adults 500 yen, University students 250 yen * Free for those with a disability certificate and one accompanying person * Special exhibitions have separate fees
Inquiries | 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
National Museum of Western Art Official Website | https://www.nmwa.go.jp/
