Tokyo Art Guide: Recommended Exhibitions in 2026

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Mori Art Museum

Tokyo's vibrant art scene continues to draw culture lovers with an extensive lineup of major exhibitions across the city's leading museums. From large-scale retrospectives of world-renowned sculptors and painters to explorations of surrealism, design, and historical photography, the 2026 exhibition calendar offers rich encounters with diverse creative practices. Here is a curated overview of ongoing and upcoming exhibitions to explore in Tokyo.

Ongoing and Upcoming Exhibitions

Ron Mueck at Mori Art Museum

This large-scale exhibition features the works of Ron Mueck, an artist widely known for his figures possessing overwhelming realism. The exhibition presents bodies crafted on a scale vastly larger or smaller than life, powerfully evoking human inner dimensions such as solitude, anxiety, fragility, and resilience. Despite their intricate form, the works leave ample margin for interpretation by the viewer, quietly posing questions surrounding the physical body and human existence.

Venue: Mori Art Museum

Dates: April 29 to September 23

Expanding Surrealism: From the Visual Arts to Advertising, Fashion, and Interior Design at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery

Defined in 1924 by André Breton, surrealism was an artistic movement that turned toward the unconscious and dreams to explore a new reality. Beyond painting and sculpture, the movement expanded into domains close to everyday life, including magazines, advertising, fashion, and interior design. This exhibition showcases how surrealism permeated society through a diverse array of genres and works housed in Japan.

Venue: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery

Dates: April 16 to June 24

100th Anniversary of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum: Andrew Wyeth at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Andrew Wyeth is a representative painter of twentieth-century American figurative painting. During an era when abstract expressionism and pop art were rising, Wyeth quietly continued to depict familiar figures and landscapes. Focusing on motifs indicating boundaries such as windows and doors, this exhibition decodes Wyeth's world deeply bound to private memories and spaces.

Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Dates: April 28 to July 5

Eric Carle: As the Caterpillar Began at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

This large-scale exhibition is dedicated to Eric Carle, the creator of the globally beloved picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Centered around original drawings, the exhibition presents approximately 180 items, including works from his days as a graphic designer, dummy books produced during the planning stages, and colored papers used for collages. It traces the process by which vivid colors and warm forms are brought to life through a wide range of materials. Additionally, the museum hosts the exhibition (UN)KNOWN HIROKO KOSHINO until July 26.

Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

Dates: April 25 to July 26

Practical Tips

* Ticketing and Discounts: Many participating museums offer special entry discounts through the Mupon app or for museum members. Be sure to check individual venue requirements regarding advance bookings.

* Exhibition Schedules: Dates vary across venues, with most summer exhibitions running through July, August, or September. Verify specific opening dates before planning your visit.