The National Museum of Western Art

For those who may not have connected with Japanese art just yet, here’s a museum for those who love France! Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Picasso adorn the walls of this remarkable building designed by none other than Le Corbusier. Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, commonly known as Le Corbusier, was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Often said to be the pioneer of modern architecture, he left his mark all around the world—with seventeen of his creations listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That’s the case of the Villa Savoye in Poissy, the Cité Radieuse in Marseille, and of course, the very museum you see before you: The National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. Le Corbusier was, in fact, the first architect to design buildings on a global scale, with works found in Switzerland, Argentina, India, China, and beyond. I think it’s safe to say that his presence is quite important throughout the world. This museum, opened in 1959, houses more than 6,000 sculptures and paintings, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Originally, it was founded to showcase the collection of Matsukata Kojiro, a Japanese entrepreneur with a deep love for French and European art, who had generously donated all his masterpieces, gathered over four decades, to form a museum open to all. Step inside, and you’ll be swept away through some of Europe’s greatest artistic triumphs.