MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives Selected for UNESCO's Global Architecture Award 'Prix Versailles' 'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026' List
MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives has been selected for UNESCO's 'Prix Versailles' 'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026' list. This cultural facility in Takanawa, operated by the JR East Culture Creation Foundation, is globally recognized for its innovative architecture and commitment to sustainability.
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MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (Minato-ku, Tokyo, operated by JR East Culture Creation Foundation) has been selected as one of 'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026' by the global architectural award 'Prix Versailles' (established by UNESCO). This is the second Japanese museum to be selected, following the Shimose Museum (Otake City, Hiroshima Prefecture) in 2024.
The Prix Versailles, founded in 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters, is a global architectural award that honors outstanding contemporary architectural projects worldwide. The selection process is based on the principle of 'Intelligent Sustainability,' which evaluates elements emphasized by the UN, such as innovation, creativity, reflection of regional heritage, consideration for ecosystems, and the value of social interaction and participation. Its distinctive feature is that it assesses not only aesthetic beauty but also the impact of architecture on the environment, society, and culture. MoN Takanawa was selected in the Museum category.
Opened on March 28, 2026, MoN Takanawa is a hub for cultural creation and dissemination in 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY,' Japan's largest new city built in Takanawa, the birthplace of Japanese railways, with the mission of 'Connecting culture to the next 100 years.' Its lush green spiral form extends from the exterior into a fluid interior space, redefining the role of a museum in a modern city.
The following comments were received regarding this selection:
■Exterior Design: Architect Kengo Kuma
“I envisioned creating a green hill within the city. The slopes of this hill allow free movement both inside and outside the building, fostering a free flow between art, performance, and information, achieving a 'freedom' that was never attainable in previous museums. This is not only an attempt to revive greenery in the city but also a challenge to restore freedom to the city.”
■Interior Design: Shinagawa Development Project (Phase I) Design Joint Venture (JR East Architectural Design, JR East Consultants, Nihon Sekkei, Nikken Sekkei)
“MoN Takanawa is a museum open to the city, where diverse cultural experiences and human interaction are born. By creating a gently continuous three-dimensional composition with varying floor levels and slopes within an open atrium, we realized architecture that allows visitors to experience activities across different spaces. We are grateful to have realized this space through continuous dialogue with stakeholders who shared our vision of creating an unprecedented museum.”
■Secretary General, World Prix Versailles Organization: Jérôme Gouadain
“As the 12th Prix Versailles commences, MoN Takanawa stands out among newly established museums worldwide with its architectural concept. The way this excellent cultural consortium blends into the city is an ambitious and deeply inspiring example of achieving sustainable architecture, demonstrating new possibilities for Tokyo.”
'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026' List
Seven facilities worldwide, including MoN Takanawa, have been selected for 'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026.' The Grand Prize, Interior Special Award, and Exterior Special Award winners will be announced at an award ceremony scheduled for late 2026.
- Zayed National Museum (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
- Science & Technology Museum (Shenzhen, China)
- Xuelei Fragrance Museum (Guangzhou, China)
- MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (Tokyo, Japan)
- Lost Shtetl Museum (Šeduva, Lithuania)
- National Medal of Honor Museum (Arlington, USA)
- Islamic Civilization Center (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
◾️From Tradition to Manga, Music, and Space. About MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, an Experimental Museum of Culture
The acronym 'MoN' in The Museum of Narratives embodies two meanings: 'Mon' (門), a gate to a new world where one encounters a new self, and 'Mon' (問), a question for thinking about and creating the future.
The Prix Versailles, founded in 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters, is a global architectural award that honors outstanding contemporary architectural projects worldwide. The selection process is based on the principle of 'Intelligent Sustainability,' which evaluates elements emphasized by the UN, such as innovation, creativity, reflection of regional heritage, consideration for ecosystems, and the value of social interaction and participation. Its distinctive feature is that it assesses not only aesthetic beauty but also the impact of architecture on the environment, society, and culture. MoN Takanawa was selected in the Museum category.
Opened on March 28, 2026, MoN Takanawa is a hub for cultural creation and dissemination in 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY,' Japan's largest new city built in Takanawa, the birthplace of Japanese railways, with the mission of 'Connecting culture to the next 100 years.' Its lush green spiral form extends from the exterior into a fluid interior space, redefining the role of a museum in a modern city.
The following comments were received regarding this selection:
■Exterior Design: Architect Kengo Kuma
“I envisioned creating a green hill within the city. The slopes of this hill allow free movement both inside and outside the building, fostering a free flow between art, performance, and information, achieving a 'freedom' that was never attainable in previous museums. This is not only an attempt to revive greenery in the city but also a challenge to restore freedom to the city.”
■Interior Design: Shinagawa Development Project (Phase I) Design Joint Venture (JR East Architectural Design, JR East Consultants, Nihon Sekkei, Nikken Sekkei)
“MoN Takanawa is a museum open to the city, where diverse cultural experiences and human interaction are born. By creating a gently continuous three-dimensional composition with varying floor levels and slopes within an open atrium, we realized architecture that allows visitors to experience activities across different spaces. We are grateful to have realized this space through continuous dialogue with stakeholders who shared our vision of creating an unprecedented museum.”
■Secretary General, World Prix Versailles Organization: Jérôme Gouadain
“As the 12th Prix Versailles commences, MoN Takanawa stands out among newly established museums worldwide with its architectural concept. The way this excellent cultural consortium blends into the city is an ambitious and deeply inspiring example of achieving sustainable architecture, demonstrating new possibilities for Tokyo.”
'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026' List
Seven facilities worldwide, including MoN Takanawa, have been selected for 'The World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026.' The Grand Prize, Interior Special Award, and Exterior Special Award winners will be announced at an award ceremony scheduled for late 2026.
- Zayed National Museum (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
- Science & Technology Museum (Shenzhen, China)
- Xuelei Fragrance Museum (Guangzhou, China)
- MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (Tokyo, Japan)
- Lost Shtetl Museum (Šeduva, Lithuania)
- National Medal of Honor Museum (Arlington, USA)
- Islamic Civilization Center (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
◾️From Tradition to Manga, Music, and Space. About MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, an Experimental Museum of Culture
The acronym 'MoN' in The Museum of Narratives embodies two meanings: 'Mon' (門), a gate to a new world where one encounters a new self, and 'Mon' (問), a question for thinking about and creating the future.