Implementation of the National Museum of Western Art's "10th Anniversary of World Heritage Registration" Project

At the 40th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held on July 17, 2016, "The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement," which consists of 17 assets across 7 countries including the National Museum of Western Art in Taito Ward, Tokyo, was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site.

This year, on July 17, 2026, we will mark the 10th anniversary of this World Cultural Heritage registration.

To mark this milestone, we will implement a 10th-anniversary commemorative project throughout the year 2026. The goal is to widely share the architectural and cultural value of the National Museum of Western Art, the architect Le Corbusier, the "Matsukata Collection" that served as the catalyst for the museum's establishment, and the achievements of Kojiro Matsukata, while promoting the appeal of "Taito Ward, a City with a World Heritage Site" both domestically and internationally.

1. Launch of the "10th Anniversary of World Heritage Registration" Special Page We have published the annual schedule and event information for the 10th-anniversary project on the ward's official website. The page also introduces the history leading up to the World Heritage registration, the features of the National Museum of Western Art, and the Matsukata Collection that led to its construction. https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/bunka_kanko/sekaiisan/10kinen/index.html

2. Various Events (Planned) We will hold various events for everyone to participate in, including architectural workshops for children and commemorative lectures.

[2026]

Period | Event | Content (Planned) --- | --- | --- Around June (1st phase) / Around October (2nd phase) | SNS Campaign | Follow the ward's Instagram account and post photos of the National Museum of Western Art with designated hashtags for a chance to win promotional gifts via lottery. Late August | Panel Exhibition | Introducing the features and appeal of the National Museum of Western Art and Le Corbusier's architecture at the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, which is visited by many tourists. Around September | Commemorative Course (Online and facility tour) | Commemorative lectures on the National Museum of Western Art, Le Corbusier's architecture, and World Heritage, along with a tour of the National Museum of Western Art (by lottery). September 27 (Sun) | Architectural Workshop for Children | Targeting elementary school students (3rd to 6th grade) in the ward, participants will use the "Kisekae Domino" model kit to learn about the Domino system proposed by Le Corbusier in three dimensions and experience the charm of architecture. Around November | Commemorative Lecture | A talk event featuring experts with knowledge of the National Museum of Western Art and Le Corbusier's architecture to convey their appeal and unravel their hidden values. Late November | Panel Exhibition | Introducing the features and appeal of the National Museum of Western Art and Le Corbusier's architecture at ward-owned facilities.

*Panel exhibitions are held permanently on the 1st floor of Taito City Office (4-5-6 Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku) and the 1st floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku).

3. Promoting the 10th Anniversary of World Heritage Registration (1) Commemorative Wrapping of the Taito Ward Circular Bus "Megurin" We have applied commemorative wrapping to the bodies of our community buses, "Megurin," which are currently operating within the ward. (There are two types of wrapping.)

(2) Installation of Streetlight Flags, Hanging Banners, Posters, and Nobori Flags in Shopping Streets, etc. We are working with local residents to promote the anniversary by displaying streetlight flags in shopping streets within the ward. Hanging banners have been installed at the Taito City Office main building and on the wall of Ueno Marui (6-15-1 Ueno, Taito-ku) in front of Ueno Station. Posters and Nobori flags are scheduled to be expanded to various locations throughout the ward sequentially.

(3) Digital Signage at Keisei Ueno Station From March 16 to March 29, 2026, we promoted the 10th anniversary of the World Heritage registration using digital signage at "Keisei Ueno Station," a stop for the Keisei Electric Railway Skyliner, which is the airport access railway for Narita Airport.

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Taito City Office Contact: Taito Ward, Urban Exchange Division, World Heritage Section Office Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM Phone Number: 03-5246-1193