Hiroshige
artist of the open road
1 May – 7 September 2025
Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays 20.30)
The exhibition will be closed 30 June – 4 July.
See full opening hours
Room 35
The Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery
Find Room 35
Tickets
Adults from £18, Members and under-16s free. See ticket information
Join Hiroshige on a lyrical journey through Edo Japan, exploring the natural beauty of the landscape and the pleasures of urban life.
The first exhibition on Hiroshige to be held at the British Museum, and the first on the artist in London for more than a quarter of a century, this is a visually stunning portrait of a country about to change forever. Born during an unsettled time in Japan's history, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) went on to become one of the country's most talented, prolific and popular artists. As Japan confronted the encroaching outside world, Hiroshige's calm artistic vision connected with – and reassured – people at every level of society.
From fashionable figures and energetic city views to remote landscapes and impressions of the natural world, Hiroshige captured many aspects of life in the Japan of his time. Stunning bird-and-flower prints reveal his poetic feeling for nature while his evocative landscapes reflected the growing interest in travel across Japan. Hiroshige portrayed his world sometimes as it was, but often the way he imagined it could be.
Possessed of remarkable technical skills, both as a colourist and draftsman, Hiroshige had a sympathetic regard for people from all walks of life. Unlike most other print designers of his day, he came from a samurai family, but crossed social boundaries to devote himself to depicting popular customs. His work was affordable, too – along with celebrated landscape prints, he also designed hundreds of hand-held, disposable fans that were available to all.
The exhibition features prints, drawings, illustrated books and paintings from the British Museum collection, as well as a significant gift and loan of prints from Alan Medaugh, a major US collector of Hiroshige's work, and other important loans. As well as exploring Hiroshige's incredible body of work, this show considers his global legacy, which spans from Japan's Edo period (1615–1868) through to Vincent van Gogh and contemporary artists such as Julian Opie.
Highlights
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![A three-panel colour woodblock print, each panel showing a woman in traditional Japanese dress, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Cherry Blossoms on a Moonless Night Along the Sumida River'
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![A three-panel colour woodblock print with a view of landscape, sea and sky, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Evening View of the Eight Scenic Spots of Kanazawa in Musashi Province'
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![A three-panel colour woodblock print of boats by a bridge in 19th-century Japan, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Pleasure Boats at Ryōgoku in the Eastern Capital'
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![Colour woodblock print of pleasure boats on the river with Mount Fuji in the background, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Ferry on the Fuji River, Suruga Province'
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![Colour woodblock print of people carrying goods over a bridge, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Nihonbashi – Morning Scene'
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![A colour woodblock print of rough waves, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Awa: The Rough Seas at Naruto'
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![Colour woodblock print of boats being punted along a tree-lined river, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Seba'
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![A stylised colour woodblock print of Mount Fuji with a waterfall in front, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Mt. Fuji and Otodome Falls'
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![Colour woodblock print of the branches of a tree in front of a red sky, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'The Plum Garden at Kameido'
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![Colour woodblock print of a pheasant and chrysanthemums, by Utagawa Hiroshige]()
'Pheasant and chrysanthemums'
Reviews
Hiroshige at the Outernet
14 May – 7 September 2025
The Outernet, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 8LH
In a first for the British Museum, we are taking our five-star exhibition Hiroshige: artist of the open road into the streets of central London and bringing the Japanese print master's works to life. See a breathtaking view of the Fuji River play out across the Outernet building next to Tottenham Court Road station, using cutting-edge technology to create a serene experience in the heart of the city. The Outernet is the most advanced immersive space in the world, featuring 23,000 square feet of floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree, wraparound 16K screens.
Hiroshige's work will be on display for free, daily, once an hour.
For screening times and closure dates please visit the Outernet website.
Members
Members don't need to book to visit Hiroshige: artist of the open road. Please show your Membership card to gain entry. If you're visiting before your Membership card arrives, bring your Membership purchase confirmation email to the Membership Desk in the Great Court on the day of your visit. We'll then issue a temporary card to access your on-site benefits.
Please see our Visiting as a Member page for more information on visiting the Museum.
Exhibition supporters
Supported by
Zemen Paulos and Jack Ryan
With further support from
Toshiba International Foundation
The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
We are also grateful to Mr Alan Medaugh for his generous contribution of Hiroshige prints gifted to the American Friends of the British Museum and his additional support.
