Tokyo is home to a wide range of museums that showcase the city’s rich culture and history.
The Japanese Capital is home to many world-class museums and galleries, showcasing Japanese art and culture, as well as international contemporary art. Here are some of the top museums and galleries to visit during your next trip to Tokyo:
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest and largest museum, located in Ueno Park in Tokyo. The museum was founded in 1872 and has a vast collection of Japanese art and artifacts, covering over 5,000 years of history.
The museum has a permanent collection of over 110,000 items, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, calligraphy, textiles, and archaeological artifacts. The collection includes many national treasures and important cultural properties, such as ancient Buddhist statues and samurai swords.
Edo-Tokyo Museum
The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a museum located in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo that showcases the history and culture of Tokyo during the Edo period (1603-1868) and the subsequent modernization of the city during the Meiji era (1868-1912).
The museum features a wide range of exhibits, including scale models of Edo-era buildings, life-size recreations of traditional Japanese streets and neighborhoods, and interactive displays that allow visitors to experience aspects of daily life during the Edo period. The museum also has exhibits on the development of Tokyo during the Meiji era, including displays on the city’s infrastructure, transportation, and architecture.
National Museum of Modern Art
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT) is a museum located in the Kitanomaru Park area of Tokyo that houses a collection of modern and contemporary art from Japan and around the world.
The museum has a vast collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, and installations, from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the present day. The collection includes many important works of modern and contemporary Japanese art, as well as works by international artists.
The Mori Art Museum
The Mori Art Museum is a contemporary art museum located on the 53rd floor of the Mori Tower in the Roppongi Hills complex in Tokyo. The museum features a variety of exhibitions, events, and educational programs, with a focus on contemporary art from Japan and around the world.
The museum’s permanent collection includes over 400 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and video art, by both established and emerging artists. The collection is primarily focused on contemporary art from Asia, but also includes works from Europe and America.
Ghibli Museum
If art is not your cup of tea maybe you will enjoy a visit to the Ghibli Museum is a museum! The museum is dedicated to the animated films of Studio Ghibli, a renowned animation studio based in Tokyo. Located in Mitaka, a suburb of Tokyo, it is a popular destination for fans of Ghibli’s whimsical and imaginative films.
The museum’s exhibits are designed to provide visitors with an immersive experience in the world of Ghibli films. The museum features a variety of exhibits, including original artwork, animation cels, and props from the studio’s films. There are also displays showcasing the creative process behind Ghibli’s films, including storyboards, sketches, and animatics.