- 1879
- The Ryuchi-kai is established by the Japanese Imperial family to promote Japan's traditional arts.
- 1880
- The Ryuchi-kai becomes responsible for the Exhibition for the Appreciation of Traditional Art held by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1879, and the Ryuchi-kai holds it annually thereafter.
- 1887
- The Ryuchi-kai is given a building belonging to the Imperial Household Agency and allowed to use without charge the land in Ueno Park on which the building stands; there, construction is begun of the exhibition hall. The Ryuchi-kai is reorganized and renamed the Japan Art Association. First patron is Prince Arisugawa Taruhito.
- 1888
- The exhibition hall is completed. The Exhibition for the Appreciation of Traditional Art is renamed the Art Exhibition.
- 1895
- Prince Arisugawa Takehito is named honorary patron.
- 1897
- The Japan Art Association arranges exhibits of Japanese decorative arts for the Paris International Exposition of 1900.
- 1900
- An annex to the exhibition hall is completed. The Japan Art Association establishes itself as the main organization for protecting and promoting the arts in Japan. The Paris International Exposition is held.
- 1913
- Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi is named honorary patron.
- 1921
- The main museum building is completed with the support of Mitsui and Mitsubishi, though mainly with financial help from the Imperial family.
- 1923
- Except for the exhibition hall, the buildings of the Japan Art Association are destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake. A temporary office and warehouses are built.
- 1929
- Prince Takamatsu is named honorary patron.
- 1943
- Due to the war, the 123rd and subsequent art exhibitions are cancelled.
- 1947
- Yoshimitsu Tokugawa is appointed chairman of the board. He is busily engaged in restarting the activity of the Japan Art Association and building the new exhibition hall.
- 1950
- Ino Dan is appointed chairman of the board. An exhibition of three schools of Japanese painting is held from 1949 to the 1960s.
- 1966
- Plans for the exhibition hall approved by the Tokyo government, and construction started.
- 1968
- The exhibition hall of the museum is completed.
- 1971
- Nobusuke Kishi is appointed chairman of the board. Nobutaka Shikanai as vice-chairman.
- 1972
- The museum is named the Ueno Royal Museum. Thereafter, Three Hundred Years―Momoyama-era, Edo-era, Meiji-era―Exhibition, Exhibition of Master Sculptors, Ceramic Works of Picasso and other art exhibitions are held.
- 1983
- First annual Ueno Royal Museum Grand Prize Exhibition.
- 1987
- Prince Hitachi is named honorary patron. Yasuhiro Nakasone is appointed chairman of the board.
- 1988
- The Praemium Imperiale is established. International advisors are installed with their nomination committees.
- 1989
- Nobutaka Shikanai is appointed chairman of the board. The awards ceremony for the first Praemium Imperiale is held.
- 1991
- Ryuzo Sejima is appointed chairman of the board.
- 1993
- The Museum of Modern Art, N. Y. exhibition is held.
- 1997
- The Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists is introduced.
- 2001
- The Museum of Modern Art, N. Y. exhibition is held.
- 2002
- The Picasso Museum, Barcelona exhibition is held.
- 2005
- Alice in Wonderland, first solo exhibition in Japan of Sigmar Polke, is held.
- 2006
- The Ueno Royal Museum Gallery is completed.
- 2008
- The commemorative events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Praemium Imperiale are held. Hisashi Hieda is appointed chairman of the board.
- 2013
- Masterpieces of Arts and Crafts in the Prince Arisugawa and Prince Takamatsu Families — An Exhibition to Commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Japan Art Association.
- 2018
- The commemorative events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Praemium Imperiale are held.
