Photo/Illutration An image of the renovated front garden of the main building of the Tokyo National Museum (Provided by the Tokyo National Museum)

The Tokyo National Museum has announced a plan to fill in the picturesque pond located in the front garden of the main building and renovate it into a public lawn area.

The plan, called “Tohaku Open Park Project,” will create an open space that the public can casually visit and enjoy like a park in addition to appreciating the on-site cultural properties, museum officials said.

The renovation is scheduled for completion in March 2027. The cost will be covered by donations.

The Tokyo National Museum, the oldest museum in Japan, is nicknamed "Tohaku." It is located inside Ueno Park in the capital’s Taito Ward.

Looking ahead to 2038, when the current main building will mark its 100th anniversary, the museum drafted its Tokyo National Museum 2038 Vision plan last year.

The vision sets out four pillars, including “a museum everyone wants to visit,” aiming to grow into a world-leading cutting-edge museum.

The plan to fill in the pond marks the start of the project and was unveiled at the Tohaku Gala event held on Nov. 10.

The pond has been considered the “face” of the museum when viewed from the Ueno Park side.

Under the plan, the pond will be transformed into a lawn area that takes advantage of gentle changes in the topography. 

The aim is to create a relaxing space where everyone—children, seniors, people with disabilities and foreigners—can spend time safely, the museum said.

The renovated space will be used for hosting events such as concerts and beer gardens.

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