Artizon Museum

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The museum is named by combining the words 'Art' and 'Horizon', symbolizing the desire to create a vast outlook for art.

2. 2

   It holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Impressionist works in Japan.

3. 3

   The building was designed to serve as a 'Museum Tower', integrating cultural spaces with high-end commercial office space.

4. 4

   The facility is equipped with a digital ticketing system to manage capacity and ensure a quiet viewing experience.

5. 5

   The collection includes works by Shigeru Aoki and Takeji Fujishima, pioneers of modern Western-style painting in Japan.

Overview

The Artizon Museum is a private art institution located in the Kyobashi district of Chuo City, Tokyo. It evolved from the Bridgestone Museum of Art, founded by Shōjirō Ishibashi, the founder of the Bridgestone Corporation. The collection emphasizes Impressionism, post-Impressionism, and 20th-century Western art, alongside modern Japanese oil painting. It occupies the lower floors of the Museum Tower Kyobashi, a high-rise building completed in 2019. The museum utilizes high-tech lighting and climate control systems designed specifically for archival preservation. Its holdings include significant works by Renoir, Monet, Picasso, and Matisse. The permanent collection is rotated frequently to manage light exposure and provide thematic depth. The architecture features wide, open galleries that prioritize negative space to highlight individual pieces.

Insider tips

• Book your entry time slot online in advance, as walk-ins may be restricted during peak periods.

• Use the museum's official web-based guide on your smartphone for detailed audio-visual commentary on specific pieces.

• Visit the museum store for high-quality exhibition catalogs that are often unavailable elsewhere.