We went to see the Ron Mueck exhibition on a Saturday morning. We had pre-purchased our tickets so were able to enter very easily.
It's a great museum with really good spaces for the art. And it's a fantastic exhibition! There were plenty of people there but it wasn't too difficult to see everything.
The view of Tokyo and beyond is amazing!
Recommend! 👌🏻
RON MUECK — When the Human Body Becomes Something Strange and Beautiful
If you are visiting Tokyo this year and looking for an art exhibition that feels different from the usual immersive or interactive experiences, Ron Mueck at Mori Art Museum in Roppongi is definitely worth adding to your list.
The first thing that catches your attention is the scale. Mueck deliberately changes the proportions of the human body, creating figures that can be dramatically larger or smaller than life-size. It is a simple idea, but incredibly effective. Something as familiar as a human body suddenly feels strange, almost surreal, and it makes you stop and look more carefully.
What makes the exhibition truly fascinating, however, is not only the hyper-realistic appearance of the sculptures, but the emotions hidden within them. Every detail feels incredibly precise — from the texture of the skin and wrinkles to the hair, clothing and subtle expressions. Yet the figures rarely tell us exactly what they are thinking or feeling. Instead, the viewer is left to interpret them.
That ambiguity is one of the strongest parts of Ron Mueck’s work. A sculpture can appear quiet and lonely, while another might feel intimate, vulnerable or slightly unsettling. There are no obvious explanations telling us exactly how we should feel. Instead, we are encouraged to observe and create our own stories.
Walking through the exhibition, I found myself thinking less about the technical skill of making a sculpture look so realistic and more about what the figures represent. They reflect very ordinary parts of being human — loneliness, anxiety, vulnerability, connection, uncertainty and simply existing in our own bodies. In that sense, the sculptures feel strangely personal even though they are not portraits of people we know.
I also really enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes side of Mueck’s practice. It gives a better understanding of how much observation, patience and craftsmanship goes into creating these incredibly lifelike figures. The realism is impressive, but it is the emotional atmosphere that stays with you.
For me, this exhibition is not simply about looking at beautiful sculptures. It is about looking at humanity from a slightly different perspective. The exaggerated scale makes familiar bodies unfamiliar, while the incredibly detailed expressions bring them back to something deeply human.
Ron Mueck’s exhibition is relatively easy to experience even if you are not an art expert. You do not need to know a lot about contemporary art to connect with the works. You can simply walk around, observe the details and let your own interpretation develop.
By the time I reached the end, I felt that the exhibition was less about sculptures and more about ourselves — how we see our bodies, how we relate to other people, and how much emotion can exist in a single silent figure.
Ron Mueck at Mori Art Museum, Tokyo runs from April 29 to September 23, 2026, and features 11 works spanning the artist’s career, including major works such as Mass (2016–2017). It is the artist’s second solo exhibition in Japan. (Mori Art Museum)
I have been to Mori Arts Center Gallery on 52nd floor to see the Sanrio final exhibition. You automatically benefit from an amazing view over the city. The Museum Shop is also located on the same floor. Close to the museum is a nice little garden with a pond and a TV Asahi souvenir shop, which I can only recommend visiting.
Overall, the art museum was impressive and well worth the visit. The exhibits seem to rotate often enough to keep things interesting. During my visit, the main focus was on architecture, which made the entire experience really engaging. I especially appreciated the layout of the museum and how clearly they explained the flow of the installations—it was thoughtfully organized and easy to follow.
The price was reasonable, and the museum itself was easy to navigate from the train station, so accessibility wasn’t an issue at all. One thing to note, though, is that the Skyview requires a separate ticket. You can either buy both the art museum and Skyview tickets together or just the Skyview if that’s what you’re after.
If you plan to visit the Skyview, I recommend going around sunset or later at night. It’s much less crowded, and the views are absolutely stunning at that time.
All in all, the art museum offered a fascinating look at architecture and design, and the Skyview added an incredible panoramic finish to the experience. It’s a place I’d definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys thoughtful exhibits and scenic views in one stop.
The Ron Mueck exhibition is one of the best ive ever been to, so unique. It was displayed so well, made it so memorable.
To enter the museum please make sure you prebook as i don’t think you could buy tickets there. I booked my tickets an hour in advance.
