Recommended museums and art spots in Tokyo. Sharpen your senses through a variety of exhibits

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From historical masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary art: 16 recommended spots in Tokyo

From historic "art halls of fame" to museums dedicated to a single theme, to cutting-edge galleries, we've selected 16 recommended spots to introduce to you in Tokyo.

Experience the flow of Japanese modern and contemporary art from the late 19th century to the present day | The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

Opened in 1952, this is Japan's first national art museum. It boasts one of the largest collections in the country, with over 13,000 pieces, including 18 pieces designated as Important Cultural Properties. The museum exhibits about 200 pieces with different themes each time, allowing visitors to experience the flow of Japanese modern and contemporary art from the late 19th century to the present.

Don't miss the works of artists who represent modern Japanese art, such as Ryusei Kishida, Taikan Yokoyama, and Kaii Higashiyama. The modern architectural design by architect Yoshiro Taniguchi is also worth seeing.

The museum is located close to the Imperial Palace, in an area where you can experience the rich nature and Japanese culture. From the lounge on the fourth floor, "A Room with a Good View," you can relax and enjoy the view of the trees around the palace and the buildings of Marunouchi. After appreciating the art, we recommend taking a stroll around the area and feeling the change of seasons.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

Specializing in Western art. The main building architecture, registered as a World Heritage Site, is also a must-see | National Museum of Western Art

This museum was established with the Matsukata Collection, which is a collection of impressionist paintings and Rodin sculptures, as its core, and its appeal lies in its wide range of exhibits specializing in Western art. Its collection mainly includes works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, as well as valuable works by famous artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir.

The front garden, which is decorated with several works by the sculptor Rodin, is free to enter and you can see the famous "The Thinker" and Rodin's greatest work, "The Gates of Hell."

The main building, with its distinctive pilotis, is a historic structure designed by French architect Le Corbusier. It opened in 1959 and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2016. The interior is spacious and open, with an elegant atmosphere. It is a worthwhile experience to appreciate the harmony between the artworks and the building.

Ueno Park, home to the National Museum of Western Art, is also home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the Ueno Royal Museum, which will be discussed later. We recommend taking your time and visiting multiple museums.

National Museum of Western Art

An "art entrance" that connects people with art. Particularly recommended for families | Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, affectionately known as "Tomi," opened as Japan's first public art museum in 1926. Aiming to be a "gateway to art" open to everyone, it hosts a variety of special exhibitions, planned exhibitions, and public exhibitions.

One of the features of the museum is that it not only focuses on exhibitions, but also on art communication projects that connect people with artworks, and people with each other. Its universal initiatives, such as support for children's first visit to a museum and appreciation sessions for people with disabilities, are a major attraction.

The tiled exterior of the building was designed by Kunio Maekawa, a master of Japanese modernist architecture. He studied under Le Corbusier, who also designed the National Museum of Western Art mentioned above. It would be interesting to compare the exteriors of the two museums, which are located close to each other.

There are 12 three-dimensional works around the building, which can be viewed for free. In particular, the silver sphere "my sky hole 85-2 Light and Shadow" located in front of the main gate is like a symbol of this museum. It is also a very popular photo spot.

Admission is free, so you can simply use the restaurant, cafe, and museum shop inside the building.
You can enjoy a leisurely meal with your family and find your favorite goods in the shops. The building also has a private nursing room and rental strollers. Hot water for milk is also provided, so you can feel at ease even if you have small children with you.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

The Ueno Royal Museum holds special exhibitions across a wide range of genres to discover emerging talent

Since its opening in 1972, the museum has been hosting planned and public exhibitions in a wide variety of genres. It is the only private art museum located in Ueno Park, and is run by the Japan Art Association, a public interest incorporated foundation that was formerly the Ryuchikai, Japan's oldest art organization.

The museum's distinctive feature is that it has taken up a wide range of themes, including not only traditional art, but also ukiyo-e, contemporary art, manga, and dinosaur reconstructions. It also introduces many works by up-and-coming young artists, and the annual VOCA Exhibition (an acronym for The Vision of Contemporary Art) displays excellent contemporary art works by artists under the age of 40. The museum's greatest appeal is its innovative attitude towards discovering up-and-coming talent.

On the third floor of the annex, there is the Ueno no Mori Art School, where even beginners can take part in full-scale art lessons (fee required/advance registration required). There is a wide variety of curriculums, from one-off courses that can be completed in 1-2 days to regular courses that take 6 months to complete. If you are interested, please check out the website.

Ueno Royal Museum

Ueno no Mori Art School

"An art museum in the forest" where you can encounter new art whenever you visit | The National Art Center, Tokyo

The National Art Center, Tokyo, located in Roppongi, was designed based on the concept of a "museum in the forest," and operates as an art center where people can experience various artistic expressions and diverse values.

Instead of having its own collection, the museum uses its 14,000m2 exhibition space, one of the largest in Japan, to hold a variety of special exhibitions. There are always multiple exhibitions going on, so you can always discover new art.

The building, with its characteristic curved glass exterior, was designed by Kisho Kurokawa. The cafe and restaurant inside the museum, with its open atrium and natural light pouring in, is also a popular spot. You can use it even without an exhibition ticket. You can spend a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The National Art Center, Tokyo

A museum representing the metropolis of Tokyo | Mori Art Museum

The Mori Art Museum is located on the 53rd floor, the top floor of Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. It has a collection of contemporary art from Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, and is highly acclaimed internationally. It hosts a wide variety of uniquely themed exhibitions, attracting many visitors from both Japan and overseas.

The museum is open every day during the exhibition, and is open until 10pm except on Tuesdays, so you can take your time and stop by after a day out or a meal.

Mori Art Museum

"Connecting beauty. Unlocking beauty." A cozy Japanese-modern space | Suntory Museum of Art

Since its establishment in 1961, the museum has maintained the basic philosophy of "beauty in daily life" and has a collection of approximately 3,000 works ranging from ancient Japanese art such as paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, and dyed and woven textiles to glass from the East and West. The museum also has a large collection of Important Cultural Properties, including the "Fusenryoradenmakie Hand Box," which was made in the Kamakura period and is designated as a National Treasure, and is well worth a look.

Aiming to be a "living room in the city," the space was designed by one of Japan's leading contemporary architects, Kengo Kuma, with a view to creating a comfortable space. The interior is skillfully decorated with wood and washi paper, creating a Japanese modern atmosphere. As befitting an art museum run by beverage manufacturer Suntory, one of the unique features is that part of the flooring is made from recycled whiskey barrels.

The Suntory Museum of Art is located in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, and together with the National Art Center, Tokyo, and Mori Art Museum, it is called the "Roppongi Art Triangle." You can also get a discount on the admission fee to the other two museums by using the ticket stubs from either museum.

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART

Looking seriously at things through design | 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

This design facility was built in the green space "Midtown Garden," which is also located in Tokyo Midtown and leads to Minato Ward's Hinokicho Park. The name of the facility is pronounced "Two One Two One Design Site." It is said to be a place where people can think about and disseminate various things through design, and see into the future.

This is a place where you can experience the joy of design and have fresh and surprising experiences, with exhibitions centered around the theme of "everyday life." Another feature is that many of these programs are directed by active designers.

The uniquely designed building was designed by Tadao Ando. The roof was designed to look like a single sheet of steel folded, inspired by the founder and designer Issey Miyake's clothing concept of "a single piece of cloth."

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

Children and adults alike can immerse themselves in contemporary art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

This museum specializes in contemporary art, and has a collection of over 5,700 pieces, mainly Japanese postwar art. It exhibits a wide range of contemporary art works from Japan and abroad. It boasts one of the largest floor areas of any museum in Japan, and the interior gives a spacious impression. The special exhibition room has a large atrium space so that contemporary art works, which tend to be large, can be displayed adequately.

Searching for the subtle hidden "gimmicks" throughout the museum is an exciting experience that is unique to the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. You can experience contemporary art with a sense of treasure hunting, and children can be seen engrossed and having fun here and there. This is a museum that we especially recommend for those who want to visit with small children.

The "Children's Library" in the art library, which has a large lineup of books that will help you become familiar with contemporary art and exhibitions, and the restaurant "100 Spoons," which offers free baby food, are also popular among families with children. The lush Kiba Park is adjacent to the museum, so it is recommended to take a stroll around the area before or after viewing the exhibits.

Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

A landscape of elegant Art Deco architecture and lush gardens | Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum features a beautiful Western-style building built in the early Showa period and a lush garden. When you think of an art museum, many people may imagine an indoor space where you can view each piece of art. However, here, the sophisticated architectural space and the vast landscape that surrounds it are themselves works of art.

The elegant Art Deco main building was originally built in 1933 as the residence of the Imperial Prince Asaka. The interior, which has retained its original appearance, is a valuable piece of art designed by leading Art Deco designers such as Henri Rapin and Rene Lalique. From the perspective of "decorative arts," a wide variety of artworks are also collected and exhibited.

The garden, which is located in the heart of the city but allows you to fully experience nature, is divided into three areas: the lawn garden, the Japanese garden, and the Western garden. The different expressions of the garden with each season, such as cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn, are sure to make you feel refreshed no matter how many times you visit.

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

A rare museum in the world specializing in photography and video | Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

It is one of the few museums in the world that has a focus on photography and video. It has a collection of over 37,000 works, and displays a wide range of excellent works from Japan and abroad, from rare pieces that convey the history of photography and video to cutting-edge visual art by contemporary artists.

In addition to the exhibition rooms spread across three floors, there is a hall on the first floor where video works are screened, and a specialized library with over 120,000 books on the fourth floor. Materials related to photography and video can be viewed free of charge, and some of them are valuable, such as out-of-print photo books.

In addition to holding around 20 unique exhibitions a year, the museum also hosts the Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions, a film festival that has been held every year since 2009.

*The number of artworks and books in the collection is as of March 2023.

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

A collection of precious Japanese and Oriental antiques | Nezu Museum

The museum's roots lie in the collection of Nezu Kaichiro, the founder of the Tobu Railway and a businessman who served in such roles as president. It has a collection of more than 7,400 valuable antiques, including national treasures and important cultural properties. It hosts seven exhibitions a year, each with a different theme, showcasing works from a wide range of genres, including calligraphy, Buddhist art, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, lacquerware, and dyed and woven textiles.

The current main building, reminiscent of a Japanese-style house, was designed by Kengo Kuma. Surrounding it is a tasteful Japanese garden, which has retained the appearance of the time when it was the private residence of the Nezu family. For four weeks from mid-April, when the irises bloom in the garden, the National Treasure "Irises Screen," a painting of iris flowers by Ogata Korin, is on display.

As expected of a tea master, Nezu Kaichiro, there are four tea houses in the garden. There is also a cafe attached, so it is a popular way to spend time here to enjoy tea time after viewing the artworks. Although it is located in the city center near Omotesando, the location is also attractive as it allows you to immerse yourself in tranquility surrounded by lush greenery.

Nezu Museum

Opening under a new name in 2020, the Artizon Museum uses cutting-edge technology to create a comfortable viewing space |

This museum opened in 2020 as a rebirth of its predecessor, the Bridgestone Museum of Art. Starting with the Japanese and Western modern art collected by Bridgestone founder Ishibashi Shojiro, it has now expanded its scope to include ancient art, postwar abstract paintings, and contemporary art. Highlights include masterpieces from Japan and abroad, such as Aoki Shigeru's "Fruits of the Sea" and Renoir's "Seated Mademoiselle Georgette Charpentier."

This urban art museum occupies the first to sixth floors of Museum Tower Kyobashi, an office building close to JR Tokyo Station and Tokyo Metro Kyobashi Station. The exhibition space is managed with the latest technology, and an ideal viewing environment is pursued. Another feature is that the museum shortens waiting times by requiring advance reservations for a specified date and time (available up to 10 minutes before the designated time on the official website).

The name of the museum, "ARTIZON," is a combination of the words "ART" and "HORIZON," and expresses the desire for many people to experience the horizons of art that are breaking new ground in the times.

Artizon Museum

A place to communicate current expression and encounter new talent | Shiseido Gallery

Shiseido Gallery opened in 1919 and is said to be the oldest surviving gallery (art gallery) in Japan. It has held over 3,100 exhibitions to date. Since the 1990s, it has focused on contemporary art, placing particular emphasis on discovering and showcasing new talent.

With the philosophy of "discovering and creating new beauty," the gallery actively introduces contemporary expressions that are both avant-garde and pure. It seems that many artists have become active at the forefront of their fields after exhibiting at this gallery. For those who want to experience the latest expressions, this is a gallery worth frequenting.

Located in the basement of the Ginza Shiseido Building, admission is free. When you go down the stairs leading to the gallery, you will find a neat exhibition space that makes use of the high ceiling. It is noteworthy how the space is used, which changes its appearance completely depending on the artist.

Shiseido Gallery

Experience creativity that "moves people's hearts" | Ad Museum Tokyo

As its name suggests, this is the only advertising museum in Japan with a focus on advertising. It showcases the fascinating aspects of the advertisements we see every day and the depth of their creativity through a vast collection of 330,000 items.

The permanent exhibition includes "The History of Advertising in Japan," which traces the history of Japanese advertising, and a viewing booth called "Four Feelings." You'll be able to experience expressions that have influenced people throughout the ages. In addition, special exhibitions are held several times a year, where cutting-edge creative works and advertising award-winning works are on display.

Throughout history, advertisements have been created with the goal of "moving people's hearts." If you take a closer look at them, you'll find that they are full of stimulating discoveries. Admission to both the permanent exhibition and special exhibitions is free, so it's nice to feel free to drop in.

Ad Museum Tokyo

A hub for art and culture. Japan's largest art complex | TERRADA ART COMPLEX

An art complex is a facility that brings together multiple galleries in one place. TERRADA ART COMPLEX is one of the largest art complexes in Japan. It consists of two adjacent buildings, "I" and "II," each housing unique galleries across four to five floors. It is a place where you can always encounter new art, and the fact that you can purchase artworks (with some exceptions) is a feature that sets it apart from other facilities.

There is also a garden space with a vibrant green lawn between the two buildings, and the cafe and bar overlooking the courtyard are popular spots for art fans to relax.

The building, a renovated warehouse, not only houses a gallery but also rental studio space for artists. The aim is to lead the Japanese art scene with a multifaceted perspective and make Tennoz a hub for art and culture.

TERRADA ART COMPLEX

How to enjoy museums and art spots?

The greatest attraction of museums and art spots is that you can encounter many artworks live, transcending time and place. The artworks are not simply arranged in an orderly fashion, but are curated according to a certain theme, which makes the viewing experience even more intense.

There's no need to worry if you don't have much knowledge beforehand. Don't think too hard about it, just stop in front of a piece that catches your eye and take your time to look at it. If you change the angle or distance, you'll be able to enjoy different expressions. On top of that, learning about the background of the work will make art even more enjoyable.

From here, let's take a closer look at how to enjoy it.

Enjoy different themes in permanent and special exhibitions

Many museums and art spots have both "permanent exhibitions" that showcase their collections and "special exhibitions" that display works with special themes. In the permanent exhibitions, you can directly experience the unique qualities of the museum. Also, if you're not sure which facility to visit, we recommend starting with the special exhibitions that interest you.

Enjoy an extraordinary experience in a relaxing space. Experience cafes and restaurants in a special setting.

One of the attractions of art museums and art spots is their quiet and calm atmosphere. Time flows slowly inside the building, allowing you to relax and forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

You can also spend a special time filled with a sense of the extraordinary at the attached cafes and restaurants. All 16 spots introduced here are facilities with cafes or restaurants. It's also fun to talk about your impressions over a cup of tea after appreciating the art.

Enjoy the beauty of architecture

As we have introduced in the recommended spots, the architecture of museums and art spots is often designed by famous architects, so not only the collections but also the buildings themselves are must-sees. Tokyo in particular has many art museums with long histories, and there are also valuable buildings that retain the appearance of the time. If you learn about the historical background of the time of construction in advance, you will be able to spend a more meaningful time.

The museum shop is also recommended for souvenirs

Be sure to check out the museum shop, which stocks original goods. Many of the items are stylish and practical, and with that special feeling that you can only buy them there, they make perfect souvenirs. Postcards featuring designs of the artworks in the collection will keep you immersed in the afterglow of your visit even after you've returned home.

Don't forget to observe etiquette when viewing art! Things to keep in mind when visiting art museums

Please be sure to remember proper etiquette when viewing the exhibits so as not to damage the valuable works of art or cause trouble to those around you.

Eating and drinking are prohibited inside most museums and art spots. Eat before or after your visit, or visit the cafe inside the museum. With some exceptions, touching the artworks is strictly prohibited. Also, some artworks do not allow photography. If you want to take photos, be sure to check the explanation attached to the artwork to see if it is OK to do so.

Since sound easily echoes inside the museum, it is good manners not to talk loudly. Make sure to set your smartphone and other devices to mute. However, one of the joys of art appreciation is sharing your impressions with your companions while looking at the works. It's okay to talk as long as you keep the volume low so as not to disturb those around you.

It is also best to avoid high-heeled shoes, which tend to make a lot of noise when walking. Since you will be walking around for long periods of time, flat shoes are recommended as they are less tiring.

Tickets can often be purchased on the day, but for popular exhibitions, there are often long lines at the ticket counter. Buying tickets in advance via the website will make entry smoother. Also, some facilities and exhibitions require advance reservations, so be sure to check this in advance as well.

Enjoy Tokyo's museums and art spots!

Tokyo is home to many unique art museums and art spots. From traditional, historical facilities to facilities that focus on a single theme, their charms are truly diverse. The ingenious exhibits will leave you feeling refreshed no matter how many times you visit. Be sure to add art museums and art spots that will refresh your sensibilities to your travel destinations.

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