museums in tokyo
Inside Tokyo National Museum @ John Applese, Unsplash
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MUSEUMS
Museums for Art and Design
Miraikan @ FLY:D, Unsplash
Nezu Museum of Art
Designed by Kengo Kuma, one of the most acclaimed Japanese architects of the modern era, the museum boasts its sharp lines and mixture of natural materials. Nezu Museum is also known for its beautiful garden. This museum exhibits a private collection of Japanese and Asian art.
21_21 Design Sight
Collaborating with designers from all walks of life, 21_21 Design Sight is a one-of-a-kind facility. Located in Roppongi, the museum was designed by the legendary architect Tadao Ando and the award-winning fashion designer Issey Miyake. Before entering the site, it's worth admiring the beautiful architecture of the main gallery spaces, which are as much a feature of the museum as the exhibits they contain.
The National Museum of Modern Art
Visit Japan's first national art museum: the National Museum of Modern Art. The museum includes three stories of permanent exhibitions of 20th to 21st century Japanese and Western art. Lose yourself in the beautiful paintings, prints, and sculptures by artists such as Rousseau, Picasso, Tsuguji Fujita, and Ryuzaburo Umehara.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
This stunningly designed building invites you to step into the world of contemporary modern art, focusing on art post-1945. The large spaces of the museum host mainly Japanese artists. Its installations are often changing to keep things fresh within the museum. Lose yourself within the art library which contains books on contemporary art.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
The building of the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum was built in 1933 in the latest architectural style at that time as the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Asaka, who visited Paris before the war. The interior design is unified with a decorative style called Art Deco, and its beauty is breathtaking.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum was established in Ebisu in 1995 as Japan’s first comprehensive art museum dedicated to photographs and moving images. Its three exhibit rooms, renewed in September 2016, host over 20 exhibits a year. The museum also hosts the Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions, and the first-floor hall shows high-quality screenings.
OTA FINE ARTS
Promoting the arts from the likes of internationally acclaimed Yayoi Kusama, Ota Fine Arts is has been at the forefront of Japanese contemporary art for the past 16 years. The gallery presents a variety of artists and art ranging from painting to video and crafts. All art is carefully curated and the galleries fame has even spread globally with galleries in Shanghai and Singapore.
TeamLAB Borderless
Lose yourself in a world of interactive art curated by teamLAB within their iconic exhibition, Borderless. Watch as not only visitors affect the art but other artworks interact with each other. Experience this interactive art without boundaries and get immersed in a whole new world where guests become a part of the art.
Modern & Contemporary Art Tour
Tokyo is filled with hidden galleries and curated art exhibitions, often only known amongst art collectors and VIP guests. TOKI offers an exclusive tour for those looking for an even deeper dive into the world of modern and contemporary art. Read more about the private tour led by an art curator here.
Museums for History and Science
Tokyo National Museum
At Tokyo National Museum, you can enjoy four buildings full of East Asian art and archeology. First visit the Western-style Heiseikan, which was built in commemoration of crown Prince Naruhito's wedding in 1993, but is now used for Japanese archaeological exhibits and special exhibitions. The Horyu-ji Homotsukan, or Gallery of Horyu-ji Treasures, showcases sculptures, scrolls, masks, and more that belonged to the Imperial Household. The third building, Honkan, is dedicated to Japanese paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, swords, and armor. The works rotate throughout the year and the museum hosts two special exhibitions a year. Find also 84 objects that the government declared to be National Treasures. Finally, visit the recently renovated Toyokan and admire art and antiquities from China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and Egypt.
National Museum of Nature and Science
The museum located in Ueno Park is one of the biggest science museums in Japan, including over 25,000 exhibits, focusing on topics such as outer space, dinosaurs, latest technological advances, and the unique ecosystems of Japan. One highlight of the museum is a 360-degree movie theater. The visitors can also explore various physical phenomena hands-on, and visit the gift shop that offers all kinds of science-related goods
Edo Tokyo Museum
The Edo-Tokyo Museum was opened on March 28, 1993 as a place to look back on the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo and think about the city and life of the future. This unique building has the image of a stilt storehouse, and since its opening, it has become one of Tokyo's leading tourist spots. The permanent exhibition introduces the history and culture of Edo Tokyo using actual materials and restored models, mainly from about 400 years ago when Ieyasu Tokugawa entered Edo.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
The "Edo Tokyo Open Air Park" in Koganei Park was built by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1993, and has relocated, restored, preserved and exhibited hundreds of years of historical buildings with high cultural value. In addition to the exhibition of archaeological sites and restored buildings, seasonal events are also held at the site. There are also cafes, restaurants and shops, so you don't have to worry about breaks or souvenirs. Please fully enjoy the Japanese culture.
Miraikan - National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
A science museum in the Odaiba area that opened in 2001. Enjoy learning about cutting-edge science and technology through experiments and talks by commentators, and ongoing science on various scales, from daily simple questions to the latest technology, the global environment, the exploration of the universe, and the wonders of life.
Inside Tokyo National Museum @ John Applese, Unsplash
TeamLAB Borderless @ Cosmin Serban, Unsplash
Museum Tips
If you are planning to visit various museums in Tokyo, purchase a museum pass, which provides admission tickets and discounts for 99 museums and other facilities in Tokyo. The Grutto Pass costs ¥2500 (2021) and is valid for 2 months from the date of first use. Museum entry fees are typically around ¥1200 for adults so it is a great deal.
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