THE SHOTO MUSEUM OF ART Guide – Visit with The Tokyo Pass

First opening its doors in 1981, THE SHOTO MUSEUM OF ART in Shibuya was constructed as a facility that would be “small in scale, yet rich in cultural flavor” so it could cater to a wide range of artistic tastes.

The stone-exterior building was designed by the famed architect Seiichi Shirai and is considered one of his greatest works. By keeping the height of the building to two stories and extending the galleries to the second basement level, the museum is in harmony with the surrounding houses. Another unique feature is that the perimeter windows are kept to a minimum, allowing natural light to enter through the central atrium.

The Shoto Museum of Art holds around four special exhibitions each year, which feature paintings, sculptures and many other art pieces from many different periods. No matter what one’s art tastes might be, chances are that the facility will one day display something to their liking. Also worth noting are the smaller salon exhibitions showcasing the works of local artists connected to Shibuya.
The floors can be accessed by elevator, but guests are encouraged to take the spiral staircase to enjoy the museum’s unique architecture.