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January 27, 2026 at 9:30 am
Event date:
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April 12, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Event end:
History
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tobikan) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 with this landmark exhibition—the first major showcase of Swedish Golden Age painting in Japan in over 30 years. Organized in full cooperation with the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, the show focuses on the revolutionary period from the 1880s to the 1910s when Swedish artists, returning from Paris and the Barbizon school, rejected academicism and turned instead to their own landscapes and light.
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Contact Jasumo Now →Artists like Anders Zorn, Carl Larsson, Bruno Liljefors, and Richard Bergh forged a distinctly Nordic realism—intimate, luminous, and deeply rooted in Sweden’s long summer evenings, harsh winters, and rural life. Their work not only defined Swedish national identity but also influenced global movements, from Scandinavian design to Japanese interest in Northern European light (a fascination that dates to Japan’s own Meiji-era encounters with Western art).
Featuring over 100 masterpieces—many traveling outside Sweden for the first time—this exhibition is both a centennial celebration for Tobikan and a historic cultural exchange between Japan and Sweden.
Overview
Masters of Swedish Painting 2026 runs from January 27 to April 12, 2026 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park. The exhibition presents the full spectrum of Sweden’s Golden Age: luminous landscapes, intimate family scenes, bold portraits, and atmospheric nocturnes by Anders Zorn, Carl Larsson, Bruno Liljefors, Richard Bergh, and others—including rare works by playwright-painter August Strindberg.
Highlights include Larsson’s iconic domestic idylls, Zorn’s masterful nudes and folk-life scenes, Liljefors’ revolutionary wildlife paintings, and Bergh’s symbolist-tinged interiors. Special sections explore the unique Nordic light that captivated these artists and its surprising resonance with Japanese aesthetics of simplicity and seasonal awareness.
Highlights
- Carl Larsson’s Home Idylls: Beloved watercolors of family life that shaped Sweden’s national self-image.
- Anders Zorn’s Virtuosity: Dazzling oils and watercolors—portraits, nudes, and Dalarna folk scenes.
- Bruno Liljefors’ Wildlife: Dynamic, almost photographic depictions of animals in nature.
- August Strindberg’s Paintings: Rare, stormy expressionist works by the famous playwright.
- Nordic Light & Japanese Resonance: Curated comparisons showing shared appreciation for transience and natural beauty.
Why Jasumo Recommends?
- Carl Larsson’s Home Idylls: Beloved watercolors of family life that shaped Sweden’s national self-image.
- Anders Zorn’s Virtuosity: Dazzling oils and watercolors—portraits, nudes, and Dalarna folk scenes.
- Bruno Liljefors’ Wildlife: Dynamic, almost photographic depictions of animals in nature.
- August Strindberg’s Paintings: Rare, stormy expressionist works by the famous playwright.
- Nordic Light & Japanese Resonance: Curated comparisons showing shared appreciation for transience and natural beauty.
If you’re coming to Japan or already in Japan, Jasumo can secure advance tickets (essential—expected to sell out), arrange private English/Japanese guided tours, combine with Ueno Park sakura viewing, and more. Just contact us using the contact page.
Schedule
January 27 – April 12, 2026
- Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM) Fridays: until 8:00 PM (last entry 7:30 PM)
- Closed: Mondays (except Feb 23), and Feb 24
Pricing
- Same-Day Tickets: General: ¥2,300 Seniors (65+): ¥1,600 College/University: ¥1,300 18 & under: FREE
- Advance Tickets: ¥200 cheaper
- Free College Admission: Weekdays Jan 27 – Feb 20, 2026
Location
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 8-36 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan (Inside Ueno Park)
How to Get There
- JR Ueno Station (Park Exit): 7-minute walk
- Tokyo Metro Ueno Station (Exit 7): 10-minute walk
- From Tokyo Station: ~10 min by Yamanote Line
- From Narita Airport: ~60 min via Keisei Skyliner + walk
Accommodation Options
Ueno/Asakusa area offers capsule hotels from ¥4,000, business hotels ¥9,000–¥18,000, and traditional ryokan ¥20,000–¥50,000. Many are within walking distance of the museum.
Book early—late March to early April coincides with peak cherry-blossom season in Ueno Park.
FAQs
When do tickets go on sale?
Advance tickets usually start mid-November 2025—sell out fast, especially weekends.
Is an audio guide available?
Yes—multilingual (including English) expected. Private guided tours can be arranged.
Can I take photos?
No-flash photography allowed in most sections (confirm on-site).
Is the museum crowded?
Very—especially weekends and March (plum + cherry season). Weekdays in February are quieter.
Best time to combine with hanami?
Late March to early April—plum blossoms in the garden give way to Ueno Park’s famous cherry trees.
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