This directory provides information about the research facilities of institutions belonging to the Independent Administrative Institution National Museum of Art. For further details, such as whether reservations are required, please visit institutions’ individual websites.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo Art Library
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT) Art Library
Tokyo Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan Āto Raiburari
東京国立近代美術館アートライブラリ
Having opened in 2002 as a library specializing in modern and contemporary art, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT) Art Library collects, and provides public access to, a broad range of materials including art books and periodicals and exhibition catalogues from Japan and abroad. As of the end of March 2023, the library contains 158,224 books and catalogues and 5,686 magazine titles. Research Guide (Pathfinder) offers detailed information that can be used to research specific themes. For information about the Art Library archives (special collections), please see here. (As a general rule, advance reservations are required to view the archives).
Address: 3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Webpage: https://www.momat.go.jp/en/library
OPAC: https://kinbiopac.momat.go.jp/opac/opac_search/?lang=1
Open: Tue. - Sat. (excluding public holidays, museum closure days, and book organizing periods).
*Please refer to the OPAC (Online Catalog) calendar for specific schedule information.
Hours: 10:30 - 17:00 (enter by 16:30)
Reservations: Reservations to visit are not required. However, advance application is necessary in order to access materials stored in the Stacks II, Rare Book Room, and Artist Files. For detailed application procedures, please see here.
Institution Repository: https://momat.repo.nii.ac.jp/
Databases only accessible within the library:
- ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM)/ProQuest
- Arts & Humanities Database/ProQuest
- Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)/ProQuest
- International Bibliography of Art (IBA)/ProQuest
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals/ProQuest
- Art & Architecture Source/EBSCO
- Art Index Retrospective/EBSCO
- Zassaku Purasu (Plus): Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Database)/Kōseisha = The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present/Kōseisha [in Japanese only]
- Grove Art Online/Oxford University Press
- Benezit Dictionary of Artists/Oxford University Press
- Artists of the World/De Gruyter
- JSTOR/ITHAKA
- Artstor/ITHAKA
- The Japan Times Archives/The Japan Times
Art Library, the National Crafts Museum
Photo: Ota Takumi
Art Library, the National Crafts Museum
Kokuritsu Kōgeikan Āto Raiburari
国立工芸館アートライブラリ
Art Library, the National Crafts Museum specializes in materials related to modern and contemporary crafts and design from both Japan and overseas. The library houses about 35,000 publications, including collections of works, exhibition catalogues, and a wide variety of art reference books, as well as roughly 1,500 art magazine titles.
Exhibition catalogues can be searched by genre such as bamboo works, ceramics, dolls, glass works, metal works, lacquerware, textiles, wood works, other works, industrial design, and graphic design. For detailed procedures for each type of material, please see here.
Address: 3-2 Dewa-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa
Webpage: https://www.momat.go.jp/craft-museum/en/library
OPAC: https://ncm-opac.momat.go.jp/opac/opac_search/?lang=1
Open: Tue. - Fri. during exhibition periods (Closed on Sat., Sun., Mon., and national holidays, and during museum closures, as well as for maintenance).
Hours: 13:00 - 17:00 (enter by 16:30)
Reservations: Reservations to visit are not required. However, advance application is necessary in order to access materials stored in the Stacks II (closed stacks). For detailed application procedures, please see here.
Institution Repository: https://momat.repo.nii.ac.jp/
Databases only accessible within the library:
- ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM)/ProQuest
- Arts & Humanities Database/ProQuest
- Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)/ProQuest
- International Bibliography of Art (IBA)/ProQuest
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals/ProQuest
- Art & Architecture Source/EBSCO
- Art Index Retrospective/EBSCO
- Zassaku Purasu (Plus): Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Database)/Kōseisha = The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present/Kōseisha [in Japanese only]
- Grove Art Online/Oxford University Press
- Benezit Dictionary of Artists/Oxford University Press
- Artists of the World/De Gruyter
- JSTOR/ITHAKA
- Artstor/ITHAKA
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (Materials Viewing Service)
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK) (Materials Viewing Service)
Kyoto Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan (Tosho Etsuran)
京都国立近代美術館（図書閲覧）
Since November 2018, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK) has been offering a materials viewing service primarily for researchers, which requires advance application.
As of August 2023, MoMAK offers public access to approximately 20,000 exhibition catalogues.
Address: 26-1 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Webpage: https://www.momak.go.jp/Japanese/collection/reading.html (in Japanese only)
OPAC: http://opac.momak.go.jp/top/index?method=change&langMode=ENG
Open: Mon. (excluding public holidays, at New Year’s [Dec. 28 - Jan. 4], and during maintenance periods)
Hours: 13:30 - 15:00 (enter by 14:30)
Reservations: Required (search for desired materials on OPAC and make a request using the application form.)
*This service is only available on days when the museum is closed. When visiting the reading room, please enter through the office at the service entrance.
Databases only accessible within the library:
- ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM)/ProQuest
- Arts & Humanities Database/ProQuest
- Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)/ProQuest
- International Bibliography of Art (IBA)/ProQuest
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals/ProQuest
- Art & Architecture Source/EBSCO
- Art Index Retrospective/EBSCO
- Zassaku Purasu (Plus): Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Database)/Kōseisha = The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present/Kōseisha [in Japanese only]
- Grove Art Online/Oxford University Press
- Benezit Dictionary of Artists/Oxford University Press
- Artists of the World/De Gruyter
- JSTOR/ITHAKA
- Artstor/ITHAKA
Library, National Film Archive of Japan
Library, National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ)
Kokuritsu Eiga Ākaibu Toshoshitsu
国立映画アーカイブ図書室
The library of National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ) collects and preserves all manner of materials related to films.
The library offers a wide range of film-related literature, primarily in Japanese, for viewing by researchers as well as the general public. In addition to over 50,000 film-related books, the collection includes film magazines, film festival catalogues and souvenir movie programs.
The library also offers a digital system for viewing materials and offers the National Diet Library's Digitized Contents Transmission Service for Libraries.
Address: 3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Webpage: https://www.nfaj.go.jp/english/visit/library/
OPAC: https://opac.nfaj.go.jp/opac/opac_search/
Open: Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat. (excluding public holidays, days when NFAJ is closed, and special maintenance periods)
Hours: 12:00 - 18:00 (entry by 17:30)
*For details, see the calendar.
Reservations: Not required
Databases only accessible within the library:
- FIAF (International Federation of Film Archives) Databases/FIAF
- Zassaku Purasu (Plus): Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Database)/Kōseisha = The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present/Kōseisha [in Japanese only]
- JSTOR/ITHAKA
Research Library of the National Museum of Western Art
Research Library of the National Museum of Western Art
Kokuritsu Seiyō Bijutsukan Kenkyū Shiryō Sentā
国立西洋美術館研究資料センター
The Research Library of the National Museum of Western Art, established in March 2002, is an art reference library in the field of Western art. The Library serves museum staff and visiting researchers.
Its noncirculating collection focuses on Western art especially from Middle Ages to the first half of the 20th century. The Library holds more than 53,000 volumes including exhibition catalogues, monographs on individual artists, as well as international exhibition, museum and private collection catalogues. It also contains approximately 3,000 periodical titles, of which about 350 are current. Microform collection supplements the Library's book holdings.
Other available resources include auction catalogues, online academic information resources, artist files, a file of works in the NMWA collection, and correspondence addressed to the influential art dealer Hayashi Tadamasa from 1884 to 1906 (deposit).
Research guides provide details on procedures for obtaining art-related information. A remote photocopying service is available only for libraries and equivalent institutions.
Address: 7-7 Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Webpage: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/research/index.html
OPAC: http://opac.nmwa.go.jp/top/index?method=change&langMode=ENG
Open: Tue., Thu., Fri. (excluding at New Year’s, public holidays, and special maintenance periods)
Hours: 10:30 – 16:00
*Please refer to the OPAC (Online Catalog) calendar for specific schedule information.
Reservations: Required (The library requires user registration. Please check here for eligibility requirements and information on viewing and materials reservations.)
Institution Repository: https://nmwa.repo.nii.ac.jp/
Databases only accessible within the library:
- ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM)/ProQuest
- Arts & Humanities Database/ProQuest
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals/ProQuest
- Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)/ProQuest
- International Bibliography of Art (IBA)/ProQuest
- Art Index Retrospective/EBSCO
- Art & Architecture Source/EBSCO
- Zassaku Purasu (Plus): Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Database)/Kōseisha = The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present/Kōseisha [in Japanese only]
- Grove Art Online/Oxford University Press
- Benezit Dictionary of Artists/Oxford University Press
- Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon Online (AKL)/Artists of the World Online/De Gruyter
- Gemälde in Museen - Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz Online: Katalog der ausgestellten und depotgelagerten Werke (Paintings in Museums - Germany, Austria, Switzerland: Catalogue of Exhibited Works and Depository Holdings)/De Gruyter
- JSTOR/ITHAKA
- Artstor/ITHAKA
- Art Sales Catalogues Online/Brill
- Lexikon der christlichen Ikonographie Online (LCIO)/Brill
- Le Corbusier Plans/Echelle-1
- artnet Price Database Fine Art and Design/Artnet Worldwide Corporation
The National Museum of Art, Osaka (Materials Viewing Service)
Photo: Kazuo Fukunaga
The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO) (Materials Viewing Service)
Kokuritu Kokusai Bijutsukan (Tosho Etsuran)
国立国際美術館（図書閲覧）
The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO) collects research materials on contemporary art, including books, exhibition catalogues, and magazines, in order to support activities such as research on artworks and exhibitions. The NMAO is also engaged in digitization of bibliographic information, and has made a portion of it available on the OPAC system. As of August 2023, the museum offers public access to around 20,000 books, approximately 37,000 exhibition catalogues, and some 2,300 magazine titles. Museum curators and researchers can use our viewing service by applying in advance.
Address: 4-2-55 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka
Webpage: https://www.nmao.go.jp/collection_research/library/ (in Japanese only)
OPAC: http://opac.nmao.go.jp/top/index?method=change&langMode=ENG
Open: Fri. (excluding museum closure days, at New Year’s, public holidays, and special maintenance days)
Hours: 13:00 – 16:30 (enter by 15:00)
*Please refer to the OPAC (Online Catalog) Viewing Schedule for specific information.
*From October 2023, viewing of books and materials will be suspended due to facility renovations.
Reservations: Required (please confirm necessary details and apply using the reservation form).
The National Art Center, Tokyo Art Library
The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) Art Library
Kokuritsu Sin-Bijutsukan Āto Raiburarī
国立新美術館アートライブラリー
The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) Art Library opened in 2007 as a library specializing in art, with an emphasis on collecting books related to modern and contemporary art from both Japan and abroad. In particular, the Art Library focuses on acquiring postwar Japanese exhibition catalogues and exhibition information.
As of the end of March 2023, the library collections include: about 100,000 catalogues published in Japan, approximately 14,000 catalogues published overseas, about 50,000 books, and roughly 3,000 periodicals (in Japanese and Western languages).
Also, the library offers materials obtained in conjunction with the activities of the NACT. These include printed materials, videos documenting events, exhibition-related materials, and other materials sourced from art-related individuals or institutions through donations or purchases. In addition, the library also offers access to independently created databases. These can be viewed from the Research Tools page. Contracted databases and electronic journals are also accessible on the library premises.
Address: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Webpage: https://www.nact.jp/english/art-library/about.html
OPAC: https://opac.nact.jp/opac/opac_search/?lang=1
Open: Mon., Wed. - Sun. (open on public holidays) (excluding at New Year’s, museum closure days other than the aforementioned, and special maintenance days)
Hours: 11:00 - 17:00
Reservations: Not required (however, advance application is necessary for fragile materials, microform materials, the ANZAÏ Photo Archive (in Japanese only), materials related to The National Art Center, Tokyo, and modern and contemporary Japanese art, as well as certain databases. Please see here for guidelines for using these materials.)
Institution Repository: https://nact.repo.nii.ac.jp/
Databases created by NACT:
- Art Commons: Exhibition Information Search (in Japanese only)
- Record of Japanese Art Exhibitions 1945-2005 (in Japanese only)
Databases only accessible within the library:
- ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM)/ProQuest
- Arts & Humanities Database/ProQuest
- Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)/ProQuest
- International Bibliography of Art (IBA)/ProQuest
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals/ProQuest
- Art & Architecture Source/EBSCO
- Art Index Retrospective/EBSCO
- Zassaku Purasu (Plus): Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Database)/ Kōseisha = The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present/Kōseisha [in Japanese only]
- Grove Art Online/Oxford University Press
- Benezit Dictionary of Artists/Oxford University Press
- Artists of the World/De Gruyter
- JSTOR/ITHAKA
- Artstor/ITHAKA
