Tokyo Museums

Top 10 Tokyo Museums including opening hours and location.

How to get the most out of your Tokyo vacation by introducing yourself to the Culture of Japan.

Tokyo culture and Art come to life in these Tokyo places.

The Museums in Tokyo help you get an idea of the past, the history of Tokyo as well as Japans culture.

The exhibitions let you peep into the culture of Japan.

History Museums in Tokyo

• The Edo Tokyo Museum. No Tokyo sightseeing is complete without visiting this Museum.

  The museum is easily one of the top five Major attractions in Tokyo.

  The museum is best appreciated after you've been in the city for at least a couple of days, and you're beginning to understand the present-day city.

  The Edo Tokyo Museum offers something for everyone, from casual observers to enthusiasts and from children to adults.

  Many of the exhibits are interactive, so this is one of the many things to do with kids in Tokyo.

  It is roughly divided into two parts, the 'Edo section' and the 'Tokyo section'.
  The 'Edo section' includes life sized version of the Nihonbashi Bridge, Edo castle and Nakamura Kabuki Theater.

  
  The exhibition covers all aspects of Edo life - food, business and Tokyo style entertainment.
  The 'Tokyo section' covers the Meiji restoration, 1923 Tokyo earthquake, and the air raids during World War 2.
  These Tokyo events practically flattened the city and their impact is demonstrated in a very impressing way.

  
  Unlike many other Museums in Tokyo it is very well prepared for international visitors. There are plenty of English signs and English speaking guides or earphones.
  As an added bonus, the Sumo Museum is right next door.
  Address: 1-4-1 Yokoami Sumida 130-0015
  Tel: 03 3626 9974




• Tokyo National Museum.This Museum is actually a group of buildings with separate entrance fees and collections.
  The collections of the Tokyo National Museum generally cover Asian art and the ancient Japanese art.
  Honkan (Japanese) Gallery - Most would consider this the main gallery and it is the largest building directly behind the entrance gate.
  The extent of artwork is very impressive. It exhibits the Highlights of Japanese art from 10,000BC through Buddhist art till today. The Tokyo National Museum covers sculpture, lacquer ware and modern art.
  The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures is a hidden Gem. Tucked away behind the main building, it's worth a look for its Architecture. Inside are the treasures from Nara Temple.
  The rest of the galleries in the Tokyo National Museum cover Asian Art, Meiji-era architecture, Imperial treasures, a Crafts Gallery and a National Film Center.
  Ueno station. Museum Exit.
  Tel: 3822-1111
  Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-16:30, April-September until 20:00.




• Fukagawa Edo Museum - This is one of the Tokyo Museums that can be great fun to visit with kids too. Check out more Things To do with kids in Tokyo.

  
  This is where Tokyo History really comes to life. A reproduction of a neighborhood during the Edo Period. Samurai history comes to life in front of your eyes. There are 11 life sized replicas of traditional houses, shops and Ryokan (Japan style inn).
  This is one of the Tokyo Museums that even changes the exhibition according to the seasons - the cherry blossom trees bloom in spring. There is also a daily cycle every 45 minutes, from morning (lights brighten) to nighttime (the sun sets, the roof closes to make everything dark).
  Address: 1-3-28 Shirakawa Koto 135-0021
  Tel: 03-3630-8625

Art Museums in Tokyo

• National Museum of Modern Art – Japanese Art from the beginning of the 20th century. It is located near the Imperial palace Tokyo. Combining both makes it a good one day tour. (More ideas for a one day tour in Tokyo).
  Address: Kitanomarukoen Chiyoda.





• Studio Ghibli Museum
- The Disney Of The East.
A Fun place for anyone into Animation movies, fans of Japanese Anima and Kids.
The famous Studio Ghibli has created many of the world known Japanese animation movies.

How to create Animations? Studio Ghibli shows the process.
Many of their famous characters are presented in the museum too. You can also watch some of their animation films.

The museum itself has a fun shape, as if it came right out of one of their movies.
Unlike other Tokyo museums, this museum is so popular it needs to be booked in advance, usually about a month before. You can do it yourself through the Museum site, or book a Ghibli Museum Tour which makes things much easier.




• The Mori Art Museum - The Mori Art Museum in Mori Tower has great exhibitions of international artists and Original exhibitions of emerging and established artists.
  It also has a great bookstore where you can spend an hour or two without noticing. The museum is on the 53 floor of the fabulous complex of Roppongi hills and Mori Tower (opening hours 10:00 AM to 22:00 PM, until 17:00 PM on Tues).





• National Museum of Western Art
– in Ueno Park there are a few Tokyo Museums, including this one, designed by Le Corbusier. The double height Gallery showing the 19th century collection is a must.
Address: 7-7 Ueno-koen Taito 110-0007
Tel: 03 3828 5131




• Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo – local and western art from the 20th century.
  The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo Address:4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto
  Tel: 03-5245-4111

Tokyo Museums Of Science And Technology

• The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation- Miraikan.
  The main attraction is Asimo - the walking robot from Honda that looks like a little guy in a spacesuit. There are also interesting 3-D films about Astronomy.
  The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation also exhibits future batteries, fuel cells, Nano tubes and more.
  Adress:2-41, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
  Tel: +81-3-3570-9151
  Hours:10:00 - 17:00




• National Science Museum - Located in Ueno Park, a few minutes walk from the Tokyo National Museum. A hands on science museum with plenty of interactive exhibits to try. The museum holds a flight Simulator. This is also a great place to see dinosaur exhibitions and a dinosaurs movie. One of the perfect things to do with kids in Tokyo.
  Ueno Park subway station
  Tel:3822-0111
  Hours:Tuesday-Sunday 9:00-16:30

Tokyo Museums Of Sports In Japan

• Japanese Sumo Wrestling Museum - Located in Ryogoku Kokugikan, the sumo stadium where professional Sumo tournaments take place six times a year. Sumo is the national sport in Japan.
  While planning your time in Tokyo, why don't you buy your tickets for a Sumo tournament in Advance? It makes sense, since the tickets for the professional tournaments are not easy to find.

  That's why I like this Sumo tour, which is an easy, hassle free way to get tickets, ride the subway with Sumo fans and visit the Sumo museum in the Stadium.
  

  
  

• The Japanese Swords Museum - Many followers of Japanese swords (Katana) visit Tokyo to examine and educate themselves on antique and modern Japanese swords.
  One of the major Tokyo attractions is the Authentic Japanese Swords Museum:
  Address: 4-25-10 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku
  Phone: 03-3379-1386
  Admission Hours: 10:00 - 16:30, Closed on Mondays.

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