As the largest metropolitan area in the world, it should come as no surprise that Tokyo is packed with must-see cultural attractions. The city’s home to some of the most-renowned museums, and they’re far from the stuffy spaces of decades past. Whether your passion is art, culture or history, there’s a museum in Tokyo just waiting for you to explore its artifacts.
Whether you’re the type of traveler that frequents foreign museums or you’re a new resident to the country seeking a connection to its heritage, here are the 10 best museums to visit in Tokyo.
1. Edo-Tokyo Museum
Ready to take a journey into Japan’s mysterious past? The Edo-Tokyo Museum takes you 400 years back in time, to when shoguns ruled the country with an iron fist. You’ll find detailed architectural models and reconstructions of Tokyo neighborhoods, along with maps and woodblock prints, that help you get a taste of what life was like in the legendary Edo period. You’ll get to know about the unique politics of the age, as well as what daily life was like for everyday citizens.
The Edo period was also a time of cultural flourishing for Japan, and it’s on full display in the Edo-Tokyo Museum. You’ll learn about the development of arts like kabuki theater and woodblock printing, as well as how Japan modernized quickly into the 21st Century, forward-thinking society we know and love today.
2. The National Museum of Modern Art
Set against the green backdrop of Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo’s National Museum of Modern Art looks austere and imposing. Once you step inside, though, you’re immediately met with lively, colorful works of modern Japanese art that you can’t find anywhere else.
The National Museum of Modern Art is home to the most comprehensive collection of modern Japanese art. The collection includes more than 13,000 items, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, video installations and so much more. While the museum holds some international works, the main focus of permanent and rotating exhibitions is the Meiji Period onward. Be sure to visit the Crafts Gallery nearby. It’s a short walk away and showcases traditional Japanese crafts, including textiles, lacquerware, ceramics, bamboo and other decorative objects.
3. The National Art Center
Tokyo’s National Art Center is one of the country’s premier destinations for contemporary art. At any given time, there are four rotating exhibitions spread across the museum’s sprawling concrete-and-glass structure. What makes The National Art Center so unique—aside from the work it contains—is the overall look and feel of the space. The interesting architecture makes the museum the opposite of a stuffy space; instead, it’s light, airy and inspiring.
What can you see at The National Art Center? It all depends on when you’re visiting, since there’s no permanent collection. Curators focus their efforts on bringing a new, thoughtfully focused exhibition every two weeks, on average. Rotating exhibits range from calligraphy to large-scale installation works. Most galleries are free, but some special shows cost a modest fee, usually less than $10. If you’re looking to enjoy a day soaking in Japan’s unparalleled art scene, plan a visit to The National Art Center, along with the nearby Mori Art Museum for a culture-packed experience.
4. National Museum of Nature and Science
One of Tokyo’s oldest museums, the National Museum of Nature and Science is a place to indulge your curiosity of the scientific world. You’ll find all sorts of marvels related to the natural sciences, from butterfly collections to fallen meteorites and so much more. The museum’s collections center around anthropology, biodiversity, geology and technology, and the contributions Japan’s provided to the sciences. This family-friendly museum is always a hit with kids, so if your group includes young travelers, be sure to add the National Museum of Nature and Science to your must-see list.
5. Nezu Museum
The Nezu Museum is a monument to both Japanese art and architecture. Housed in a minimalist space redesigned by Kengo Kuma, the museum is an architectural marvel, featuring high ceilings, bamboo walls and walls of windows.
In addition to its architectural importance, Nezu Museum houses more than 7,400 pieces of pre-modern works owned by Nezu Kaichiro, president of Japan’s Tobu Railway. The museum is less-visited than larger attractions like The National Art Center or the Edo-Tokyo Museum, so wandering its galleries is a hassle-free, calming experience. Stop by for an afternoon and take in the impressive calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics and so much more at your own pace, and enjoy one of the most beautiful gardens you’ll find in Tokyo, while you’re at it.
6. Tokyo National Museum
Home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of Japanese art, Tokyo National Museum is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city. The museum’s impressive 110,000-piece permanent collection includes everything from ancient Buddha statues to thousand-year-old ceramics, beautiful kimonos to priceless works of calligraphy. It’s the country’s oldest museum, and everyone from culture-lovers to professional historians can learn a lot from every visit.
The sprawling museum contains spacious galleries with carefully curated, rotating collections. Each room is specifically composed, and there are 4,000 works on display at any time, so the experience is never quite the same as your last visit.
7. Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
Hosting three rotating exhibitions at any given time, the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum is always a hit with art-lovers. Housed in the Yebisu Garden Palace complex, the museum features an intimate four-story space dedicated to showcasing both Japanese and international photography. Unlike other larger museums in Tokyo, the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum is more low-key, so you can get to know the works inside at your own pace, without much distraction.
Aside from the photographs displayed within, the space itself is interesting. Its bright, modern interior is the perfect backdrop for carefully curated exhibitions. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood for an intimate, hassle-free cultural experience.
8. Mori Art Museum
Set high above the streets of Tokyo, the Mori Art Museum is a cultural destination not to be missed. It sits atop the 52nd and 53rd floors of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, and it’s home to some of the most notable works of contemporary art. You’ll find works by renowned contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei, Takashi Murakami, Nara and so much more, housed in beautiful, dazzling gallery spaces.
Aside from admiring the beautiful works, your admission ticket gives you access to one of the most amazing views of the city. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the city, and it features a 360-degree panorama of Tokyo. If you’re looking to soak in some culture—and get some great pics for the ‘Gram—don’t skip the Mori Art Museum on your visit to Tokyo.
9. Yayoi Kusama Museum
Yayoi Kusama is one of the most celebrated living contemporary artists, and the museum that bears her name is just as eccentric and visually interesting as her work. If you want to book a 90-minute time slot at the Yayoi Kusama Museum, make your reservations well in advance, as it’s one of the most popular attractions in Tokyo, and only 200 visitors are allowed in each day.
The Yayoi Kusama Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to the work of Yayoi Kusama. Located near her studio in Shinjuku, every corner of the space is Instagram-worthy, featuring unique installation pieces like large-scale sculptural works along with more intimate paintings—not to mention the artist’s characteristic polka dots that decorate the walls of the space. Special exhibitions change twice each year, so get your tickets and experience the incredible work of this unique artist firsthand.
10. Ghibli Museum
Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli is known around the world for its distinctive, heartwarming animation style. This jewel box of a museum is just as quirky as the interesting collection it contains, and Miyazaki himself even gave the building his own personal touch. It takes the form of an Italian villa, painted in Ghibli-esque pastel hues and covered by a layer of greenery. A 16-oot-tall robot soldier from Castle in the Sky looks down at visitors as they arrive—you almost feel as if you’re walking into the magical world of Ghibli in real life.
The building itself is tucked away in a lush garden in Inokashira Park, so the museum almost feels like a well-kept secret. The truth is, the Ghibli Museum is generally booked solid for months in advance, so be prepared and book your slot before you visit. Plan to spend an afternoon at the museum, strolling through the collections at a leisurely pace, and don’t miss a screening of a Ghibli short, all of which are exclusive to the museum.
See all of the beautiful history Tokyo has to offer
Tokyo’s packed with interesting cultural attractions. From contemporary art museums like the Mori to historical treasures like Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo’s the destination for lovers of culture, whether you’re a casual art admirer or a well-learned professor. Explore all the museums on this list and get a glimpse of some of the most thought-provoking, awe-inspiring art, historical artifacts and natural marvels from around the world!
