This special exhibition is part of the program Japanese Architecture: Traditional Skills and Natural Materials held concurrently at three venues-the National Museum of Nature and Science; the Tokyo National Museum; and the National Archives of Modern Architecture, Agency for Cultural Affairs. Under the venue theme Diverse Styles and Skills in Japanese Modern Architecture, the special exhibition at the National Museum of Nature and Science presents 12 architectural models and related articles such as drawings and building materials primarily from the Meiji period (1868-1912) onward.

Precautions for Visitors

We accept only visitors with advanced bookings to avoid closed places, crowds and close-contact settings in the museum.

Exhibition

Title Special Exhibition
Japanese Architecture: Traditional Skills and Natural Materials
Venue Theme: Diverse Styles and Skills in Japanese Modern Architecture
Period December 8, 2020 - January 11, 2021
Hours 9:00-17:00
*9:00-18:00 on Fridays, Saturdays
*Opening days, hours etc. are subject to alteration. Please check the website before your visit.
Closed Mondays (Except January 11), December 28,2020 - January 1,2021
Organizers National Museum of Nature and Science, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Arts Council, Tokyo National Museum, The Yomiuri Shimbun
Special Sponsorship Canon, East Japan Railway Company, Japan Tobacco Inc, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd, Mitsubishi Estate, Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
Sponsorship Shimizu Corporation, Takashimaya, Takenaka Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation
Cooperation National Museum of Japanese History, Kanazawa Institute of Technology

Access

National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
Address 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718
Map of National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo.

What to See

1. Understanding Western Architecture

The introduction of Western social systems in and after the Meiji period (1868–1912) saw the construction of various facilities with new functions, such as the diet building. Engineers invited from abroad were appointed to train and develop Japanese architects and engineers.

2. Contemporary Thought on Modern Architecture

In the early 20th century, the West saw a chain of formative movements in pursuit of function and logic of construction. Japanese architects who had studied abroad also churned out various examples of formative architecture.

3. New Architectural Cityscapes

The 1963 revision of the Building Standards Act introduced the concept of limiting a building’s capacity according to floor area and accelerated the move to build high-rise structures.

4. A Future of Architecture and Nature

At times taking advantage of the sunlight and the breeze to create a comfortable living space, and at times controlling the vibration of an earthquake or the spreading of a fire-from time immemorial, Japanese architecture has been linked closely with nature.

Visit the Exhibited Works of Architecture

Japanese architecture developed and diversified from the Meiji period (1868–1912) onward, and many examples survive in or have been restored to their original form. Having seen the models on display, why not plan a trip to visit the actual buildings in person?