'Visit Japan: Tourism Promotion in the 1920s and 1930s'

Jan. 9-Feb. 28

With the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Japan is receiving a lot of attention from overseas as it readies itself to be a popular tourist destination.

With this in mind, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, looks back on advertisements that were used to promote Japan during the 1920s and '30s. These posters were part of one of the country's earliest promotional campaigns, at a time when improved modes of transport encouraged more overseas leisure travel.

Designed by well-known names in Japan — Hisui Sugiura (1876-1965), Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934), Hatsusaburo Yoshida (1884-1955) and Munetsugu Satomi (1904-1996) — the posters involved motifs that include kimono, sumo wrestlers, cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji — symbols that have become synonymous with Japan.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; 3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Takebashi Stn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fri. until 8 p.m.). ¥430, free admission on Feb. 7. Closed Mon. 03-5777-8600; www.momat.go.jp