Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery

The picture gallery was established by the Meiji Jingu Foundation Bureau in 1926, with an aim to hand down the achievements and events from the birth to the demise of Emperor Meiji. It is recognized as the symbol of the Meiji Jingu Gaien Park. The building has the majestic exterior constructed with large stones and marbles, decorated with mosaic tiles, with the dome roof in the center. It is considered as an important object in the architectural history and was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in June 2011. In the gallery, which offers plenty of natural light through the ceiling, about 80 works of Japanese and Western paintings are displayed in chronological order. These mural-sized paintings illustrate the dramatic events taking place during the Meiji period (1868 to 1912), when the country was in the middle of modernization. They are masterpieces of artwork as well as precious historical records of the chronology of the era. It is a 5-minute walk from the Shinano-machi Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines or from the National Stadium Station on the Toei Oedo Line.