June 9 2020
Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs
Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture

Reopening of Museums and Art Galleries

Following the end of the state of emergency declared by the national government, Tokyo is proceeding to Step 1 of the “Roadmap to Overcoming COVID-19”. Accordingly, it has been decided that museums and art galleries, which had been among the cultural facilities which were temporarily closed, will now open as detailed below.
Measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus when the facilities reopen in accordance with the guidelines set out by the TMG.
You may find information about specific measures being taken in these facilities on the website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, or on each individual facility’s website.
As circumstances are subject to change depending on the domestic and international situation, please check the website of each facility for up to date information.

1 Applicable facilities and reopening dates

• Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum: Monday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m.
• Edo Tokyo Museum: Tuesday, June 2, at 9:30 a.m.
• Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum: Tuesday, June 2, at 9:30 a.m.
• Tokyo Photographic Art Museum: Tuesday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m.
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo: Tuesday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tokyo Arts and Space Hongo: Tuesday, June 2, at 11:00 a.m.
• Tokyo Shibuya Koen-dori Gallery: Tuesday, June 2, at 11:00 a.m.

*Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is scheduled to reopen in July in conjunction with the launch of a new exhibition.

2 Exhibitions

Please see the attached chart(PDF:223.5) (in Japanese)
*So that as many people as possible can visit, there may be changes to exhibition times or dates at the initial stages. Please consult the relevant facility’s website for details.

3 Information for visitors

Information on the extent of reopening

• While exhibition rooms, library rooms and restaurants will reopen, rental hire of meeting rooms or halls is suspended for the time being.
• Opening times are generally as they were before. However, there will not be extended opening hours on particular days of the week.
• Workshops within facilities are generally suspended.
• Promotional tickets for families and over-65s are suspended for the time being.

Requests for visitors

• Please do not visit if you have a high temperature (over 37.5 degrees Celsius) or a cough/throat pain.
• Please do not visit if you have been to an area or country with an active coronavirus outbreak in the last two weeks.
• Please ensure you wear a mask, practice cough etiquette, and wash your hands. Those without a mask will not be permitted to enter.
• Your temperature will be measured at the entrance to the facility. If you have a temperature of over 37.5 degrees Celsius, you will not be permitted to enter.
• Large group admissions are suspended.
• Please try to keep a 2 meter distance from other visitors within the facility.
• Please do not converse within exhibition spaces.
• Please do not touch exhibitions, cases or equipment that is not being used.

Precautions to be taken at facilities

• Staff should have their temperature and health checked daily.
• Staff must wear masks.
• An acrylic sheet or pane must be set up at counters.
• Disinfectant must be provided at entrances and exits.
• Facilities must be cleaned, disinfected, and ventilated thoroughly.
• The number of people admitted to the facility may be limited to ensure a distance is kept between visitors (details of attendance limits will be posted online and via social media).
• People will be informed to keep moving and not linger in one area.
• Wheelchairs, audio guides and other items that visitors may borrow will be disinfected thoroughly.
• Exhibits that one may touch will generally not be available to touch.
• Seating arrangements will be devised to minimize the possibility to eat or converse face-to-face.
• Hand dryers in toilets will not be used.
• In the case a member of staff or a visitor is infected by the virus, the situation will be dealt with appropriately in conjunction with the local health center. If necessary, details will be shared online via the facility’s website. (As a precaution, it is advised that you keep a record of when you visited the facility.)

Please click here for the original Japanese press release.

Inquiries (in Japanese only)

(Regarding facilities other than Tokyo Arts and Space and Shibuya Koen-dori Gallery) Planning and Coordination Section Culture Promotion Division Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs Phone: 03-5388-3158 Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Phone: 03-5610-3503 (Regarding Tokyo Arts and Space) Cultural Events Section Culture Promotion Division Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs Phone: 03-5320-7658 Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Phone: 03-5610-3503 (Regarding Shibuya Koen-dori Gallery) Planning and Coordination Section Culture Promotion Division Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs Phone: 03-5388-3126 Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Phone: 03-5610-3503