Mystery-Solving Event 'Museum Riddle Rally 2026' Launches Across Nine Museums

Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taito City, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akahiro Kosaka, hereinafter 'Tokyo Metro'), the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (Headquarters: Chiyoda City, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Tanaka), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture (Headquarters: Chiyoda City, Tokyo; President: Masaya Ninomiya) will jointly host 'Museum Riddle Rally 2026'—an event where participants solve mysteries by visiting nine national and metropolitan museums in Tokyo and Tokyo Metro stations—from Thursday, July 23, 2026, to Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (a national holiday).

'Museum Riddle Rally 2026' is an experiential art entertainment that blends art appreciation with mystery-solving. Participants progress through a story while visiting museums and Tokyo Metro stations to solve puzzles. You can start the mystery-solving experience at any of the nine participating museums. During the event period, participants can enter a lottery for attractive prizes: completing puzzles at any five museums grants one entry, and solving all nine museum puzzles plus the final challenge grants an additional entry.

To accommodate diverse summer nighttime lifestyles, participating museums will offer extended evening hours. Special discounted admission fees and events are available during these evening hours, making it an ideal opportunity to enjoy 'Museum Riddle Rally 2026' after work or as a summer leisure activity. Why not visit these museums casually and immerse yourself in art and mystery?

This summer, enjoy 'Museum Riddle Rally 2026' in the cool, refreshing atmosphere of Tokyo's museums.

'Museum Riddle Rally 2026' Event Overview

1. Event Period July 23, 2026 (Thursday) – September 23, 2026 (Wednesday, national holiday)

2. Participation Fee Free of charge

(Note: Participants are responsible for transportation, communication, and museum admission fees.)

* Utilizing the 'Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket' or 'Metro & Gurutto Pass' can make participation more cost-effective. For details, please visit the official event website.

3. How to Participate

(1) Use your smartphone’s camera to scan the QR code displayed on posters at Tokyo Metro stations (excluding certain stations) or on leaflets placed at station and museum racks. Access the dedicated website (https://www.museumrally.com/) to begin.

(2) Read the prologue and start solving mysteries at your preferred museum.

(3) Visit museums featured in the story and solve the mysteries. Unlock each museum’s hidden puzzle and enter the answer into the designated field on the website.

(4) Solving each museum’s mystery will grant you a keyword that leads to the final challenge.

* Note: Posters and leaflets are not available at Kitasenju Station (Hibiya Line), Nakameguro Station, Nakano Station, Nishifunabashi Station, Yoyogi-Uehara Station, Wakoshi Station, Shibuya Station (Hanzomon and Fukutoshin Lines), and Meguro Station.

* Leaflets are distributed while supplies last.

* Participation is still possible without a leaflet.

* Please confirm each museum’s closure days before visiting.

* You do not need to complete all museum visits in one day.

* QR Code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

4. Achievement Rewards (Total of 100 Winners)

A total of 100 participants will be selected by lottery to receive attractive prizes.

<5-Museum Completion Reward>

National Prize: National Art Museum Goods – 20 winners

Metropolitan Prize: Metropolitan Art Museum Goods – 20 winners

<Full Completion Reward>

National Prize: Pair tickets to a National Art Museum exhibition + Tokyo Metro goods – 30 pairs

Metropolitan Prize: Pair tickets to a Metropolitan Art Museum exhibition + Tokyo Metro goods – 30 pairs

5. How to Enter the Lottery

Complete puzzles at any five museums to enter the '5-Museum Completion Reward' lottery. Complete all nine museum puzzles and the final challenge to enter the 'Full Completion Reward' lottery. Enter required details into the prize application form displayed on the dedicated website.

<Deadline>

September 23, 2026 (Wednesday, national holiday), 23:59

* Each participant may enter each lottery once.

* Winners will be notified via prize delivery.

* Prizes are scheduled to be shipped around November 2026.

* Winners cannot select specific goods or exhibitions for the pair tickets.

* Personal information provided will be used solely for prize delivery and will be managed responsibly in accordance with privacy regulations.

6. Important Notes

· Please pay close attention to safety when walking on platforms or within station premises.

· Avoid solving puzzles in areas that may disturb other visitors.

· Please refrain from loud conversations inside museum exhibition rooms.

· If taking notes, please use pencils only. Pens and markers are prohibited in exhibition rooms to protect artworks. Pencils are not provided at venues.

· Museum staff, station attendants, and train crew do not know the puzzle hints or answers.

· To ensure fair enjoyment for all participants, please refrain from publicly sharing puzzle questions, answers, or transferring or reselling prizes online.

7. Museum Closure Information During the Event Period

8. Mystery Poster Display Stations During Museum Exhibitions and Rotations (All outside ticket gates)

9. Contact Information

· Tokyo Metro

Tokyo Metro Customer Center: https://www.tokyometro.jp/support/index.html

· National Art Museums

National Institutes for Cultural Heritage: 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)

· Metropolitan Art Museums

Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo: [email protected]

Night Museum (Extended Hours) Information

〇 The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; National Museum of Western Art; and The National Art Center, Tokyo will be open until 8:00 PM every Friday and Saturday. Additionally, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo will host 'MOMAT Summer Festival 2026' (July 24, Friday – September 13, Sunday). From 5:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, summer-limited events such as MOMAT Highlight Tours and short lectures will be held. Food trucks in the museum courtyard will sell beer, wine, and other refreshments.

For details, visit the event website:

https://www.momat.go.jp/events/20260724

〇 The Edo-Tokyo Museum and the Tokyo