Besides taking beautiful photographs, there are more things you can do when traveling. Traveling is an excellent opportunity to learn about another culture’s history and heritage. What better way to do this than by visiting some museums?
If you want to visit Japan, now might be a good time to visit to avoid large crowds of people. If you love art, history, and culture, you need to check out some of the museums in Japan. Here are our favorite museums in Japan.
1. Edo Tokyo Museum, Tokyo
If you plan on visiting Tokyo, then visit Edo-Tokyo Museum. Edo-Tokyo Museum is one of the go-to museums in Japan. This museum exhibits landscapes during the Edo Period.
The interiors make you feel like going back in time. You will get immersed and experience what common people lived in a castle town during the Edo Period. This museum is seven floors high with one underground floor.
They have permanent exhibitions and also temporary exhibitions. The temporary exhibitions showcase the Edo Zone and the Tokyo Zone. These photos and exhibits paint a perfect picture of how Edo changed into Tokyo.
There is also a dedicated video hall and library to help enrich your knowledge of the Edo period. This place is perfect for tourists who want a more in-depth history of Japan. An admission price to this museum costs ¥600.
Some museums in Japan offer discounts if you are a PWD or Person with Disability. Children up to 11 years old also get a discounted admission price. Make sure to research the admission price beforehand, as admission prices may change.
2. Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone
If you want to go to an art museum, then the Hakone Open-Air museum might be a spot you want to check out. Adult admission costs ¥1,600 while child admission costs only ¥800. This outdoor museum is over 70,000 square meters.
They have various sculptures from artists like Marta Pan, Henry Moore, and others. What makes this park unique is that it is Japan’s first-ever outdoor museum. Here, you can view over 120 one-of-a-kind masterpiece sculptures.
Besides the sculptures, the museum is also pleasant to walk in with many greenery. There are fun play sculptures for children to play in and other features. You can do something that your whole family can enjoy, like trying to navigate through their maze.
3. Hiroshima Peace Museum, Hiroshima
If you are interested in Japan’s history, try visiting Hiroshima Peace Museum. This history museum located in Hiroshima tells the history of Hiroshima.
This was a historical moment that devastated millions and was also the first time people used an atomic bomb. This made a lasting impact on Japan, and in 1955, this museum was built in its honor. This museum shows visitors the conditions when the atomic bomb landed and more.
It serves as a reminder of how destructive an atomic bomb is and explanations of its effects. Testimonies from over 300 victims speaking about their experiences are also shown. Admission to go inside this museum costs ¥50.
4. Adachi Museum of Art, Shimane
This creation of this museum was possible thanks to self-made businessman Adachi, Zenko in 1970. The goal of this museum is to showcase the major works of Japanese painting masters. Japanese artist Taikan Yokoyama has over 120 works displayed in this museum.
Taikan Yokoyama has contributed so much to Japanese art that he has his own exhibition. This is the Taikan Museum of Art. Some of Taikan Yokoyama’s famous works include “Mountain After a Shower”.
Admission to the Adachi Museum of Art costs ¥2,200 for an adult and ¥500 for a child. They are also known for their art features, including “The Living Scroll.” They also have poetry, sculptures, and other notable contemporary art collections.
5. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Fukui
If you are looking for unique museums to visit in Japan, then Fukui Prefecture is the perfect one to go to. For ¥720 for an adult and ¥260 for a child, you can see real fossils excavated from Japan. This museum serves at the forefront of Japanese dinosaur research.
Fukui Prefecture Dinosaur Museum is Japan’s largest museum dedicated to archeology. It is also the largest museum in Japan for geological features. Their impressive exhibition area contains Dinosaur World, History of Life, and Earth Sciences.
6. Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
This is the perfect art museum for fans of Studio Ghibli. Films such as “Spirited Away,” “Castle in the Sky,” and “My Neighbor Totoro” were turning points in Studio Ghibli’s animation history. These have received widespread love worldwide and have become core childhood memories for many.
This museum charges ¥1,000 for adult admission and ¥400 for child admissions. Here, you can see the thought process that went into these animations and more. They also have many attractions that your kids and kids at heart are sure to enjoy.
These include a replica model of the Neko-Bus from “My neighbor Totoro” in which you can sit and take pictures. In addition, there is a huge Totoro by the entrance with scenes from your favorite films recreated. The museum also shows exclusive animations that can only get viewed in the museum.
7. Nezu Museum, Tokyo
Looking for a museum only locals would know about? Then Nezu Museum in Tokyo might be for you. This museum sits in the back of various high-brand stores such as Chloe and Cartier.
You will have to walk through a long hall lined with bamboo to get there. This museum has a tranquil and gentle experience.
For the admission price of ¥1,200, you get to see Japanese art and more. They have a showcase with seven national treasures and a wide range of antiques. There are also significant collections of tea utensils that you can check out.
8. Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots, Kagoshima
Kamikaze pilots are iconic figures in the history of Japan. Kamikaze pilots were Japanese war pilots that attacked enemies by flying planes. They often rigged their planes with bombs and flew into enemy ships.
This attack style was never seen before in human history until then. For ¥500 an adult and ¥300 for a child, you can enter the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots in Kagoshima. They have articles and documents about the Kamikaze pilots of the Imperial Army.
The exhibits show the real fighter plane remains, with some recovered from the ocean. You can also read testimonies from Kamikaze pilots. Kamikaze pilot barracks were also restored and put on display.
9. Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
If you are in Japan’s capital city, consider dropping by the Tokyo National Museum. This museum is near Ueno Park, which is a place many locals go to. There are many activities near this museum, which makes it perfect for tourists.
An admission ticket to Tokyo National Museum costs ¥620 and is Japan’s national museum. They have over 11,0000 exhibits with 87 national treasures. Their display boats of many cultural artifacts of Japan and even Asia/
This museum has the Gallery of Horyu-hu Treasures containing valuable assets. These assets commemorate the Horyu-Ji Temple in Nara, a world heritage site. This museum combines history, art, culture, and everything you could ask for.
After your trip to the museum, you can do tourist things like visit the park nearby. The Ueno Park, covered with cherry-blossom trees, is perfect for anyone who loves nature. There is also a zoo, an art museum, and a theater for you to go to.
10. Toyota Museum of Industry and Technology, Nagoya
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology has various admission prices. Before going, make sure to ask for admission prices beforehand. This museum is a preservation of the Toyota factory that was first launched during the Taisho Era.
The museum lobby was originally constructed by Sakichi and Kiichiro Toyoda. This father and son Toyoda duo is the founder of Toyota. This honors how much Toyota has contributed to the modernization of Japan.
Here, you can learn about the history of Toyota cars from their early development in the 19th century. They also show off their latest safety-conscious technology and their newest cars. If you are a car lover, this place is a must-visit in Japan.
Visit the Best Museums in Japan Today
Here are our top 10 picks for the best museums in Japan you can visit on your next trip. Follow our recommended museums in Japan, and you are sure to make the most out of your next Japan trip!
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