It says a lot about this spot that, almost a century after it opened, locals still flock to exhibition openings. The nation’s first public art museum labels itself as a “doorway to art,” encouraging all walks of life to interact with all types of artwork. Strongly supporting this mission is the annual Ueno Artist Project; held from November to January, it’s where local contemporary artists come together to exhibit their work, and the city’s people lap it all up. (Western-style Japanese food) from the museum’s Restaurant Muse.