Experience the Blossom Festival at Tokyo National Museum This Spring 2026

Spring Festival at Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum, nestled in the beautiful cherry blossom areas such as the Imperial Palace, Chidorigafuchi, and Kitanomaru Park, is gearing up for its much-anticipated annual event, the "Spring Festival" (美術館の春まつり). Celebrating the arrival of spring, the festival aligns perfectly with the blooming of sakura, offering visitors an unforgettable experience of art and nature.

Event Overview

Scheduled from March 13 (Fri) to April 12 (Sun), 2026, the Spring Festival provides an ideal setting for an enjoyable hanami (flower viewing) while exploring the museum’s treasures. One of the highlights of the festival is the annual exhibition of the important cultural property, Kawai Gyokudo’s ‘Going Spring’ (行く春), which will be displayed only during this period. Visitors can also take a break at the outdoor relaxation area set up in front of the museum, where they can enjoy takeout refreshments and street food.

Featured Exhibition: MOMAT Collection

In conjunction with the festival, a special exhibition called ‘MOMAT Collection’ will run from March 3 (Tue) to May 10 (Sun) at the 4-2F Gallery. This exhibition will showcase approximately 200 selected works from the museum's extensive collection of around 14,000 pieces, highlighting various themes surrounding the beauty of spring. Featured artists include notable works such as
- Tamae Atomi’s ‘Sakura Flowers’ (桜花図巻),
- Yoshifumi Kikuchi's ‘Light Rain in Yoshino’ (小雨ふる吉野),
- Tamaki Funada’s ‘Evening Blossom’ (花の夕).
The museum invites visitors to seek out the flowers depicted in the artworks throughout the exhibition.

Concurrent Events

In addition to the main exhibitions, the festival will host a variety of events to engage visitors further:

- Interactive Guided Tours: Participants can join discussions about select artworks during the Collection Guide sessions and sign up for the English-language Collection Tour “Explore with Us”. There will also be a special MOMAT Highlight Tour focused on the festival's featured works.
- Outdoor Relaxation Area: An outdoor rest area will be set up for visitors to unwind while enjoying the cherry blossoms, featuring takeout food from the renowned L'EAU ET MIKUNI restaurant, presenting special hanami bento boxes and beverages.
- Pop-up Shop: A limited-time pop-up shop will offer exclusive spring-themed merchandise inspired by the artwork.
- MOMAT PASS: Visitors can also take advantage of special limited-edition cards featuring ‘Going Spring’ and other artworks during the festival period.

Announcing 10th Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of the Spring Festival will coincide with a display of posters from previous years since its inception in 2016, enriching the nostalgic experience for returning visitors. Additionally, original AR content will be available in the gallery, allowing for a unique photogenic spring-themed experience.

Related Exhibits

Shimonura Kanson’s Exhibition

Simultaneously, an extensive retrospective of Shimonura Kanson (1873-1930) will be held from March 17 (Tue) to May 10 (Sun) at the 1F Gallery. This is the first large-scale exhibition in the Kanto region in 13 years and will explore Kanson's significant contributions to modern Japanese art, highlighting his masterpieces while incorporating the latest research findings.
- Admission for this exhibition will be set at 2,000 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for university students, and 700 yen for high school students. Entry will be free for junior high school students and younger, as well as individuals with disabilities and their companions.

Additional Highlights

From March 3 to May 10, the museum will also present the New Acquisitions & Special Exhibition featuring Medardo Rosso’s ‘Ecce Puer’, which reflects the artist's culminating accomplishments in his career.

Visitor Information

The Tokyo National Museum prides itself on a vibrant blend of art and nature, making the yearly Spring Festival a must-visit destination. The museum opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (and until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays). For the festival period, the museum will open on Monday, March 30, which is normally a closing day. Don’t miss this opportunity for a cultural and visual feast amid cherry blossoms!

For more details, please follow the official website of the Tokyo National Museum.