Tokyo’s diverse art culture has made it a must-see city for art lovers from around the world. Amazingly, there are more than 100 museums in Tokyo alone, and the sheer number of museums makes it difficult to choose where to visit. From traditional Japanese painting to modern art and even avant-garde digital art, Tokyo’s museums cover a wide variety of genres. In this article, we have carefully selected 10 of the most classic Tokyo art museums.
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The National Art Center, Tokyo（国立新美術館）
Opened in 2007, the National Art Center, Tokyo is the only national art museum that does not have its own collection, and is an ever-changing museum that hosts a variety of special exhibitions, public exhibitions, symposiums, and other fascinating events.
The concept of the National Art Center, Tokyo building is “an art museum in the forest”. It features a beautiful design that harmonizes with the greenery of the surrounding area, including Aoyama Park. The beautifully curved exterior of the building, of course, is also unique and beautiful from the inside.
Mori Art Museum
Mori Art Museum is located on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, approximately 230 meters above ground. The museum opens special exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, fashion, architecture, and installations that revolve around contemporary art, allowing visitors to encounter all kinds of works from around the world, including Asia, Europe, the U.S., and Africa.
The Mori Art Museum’s projects are characterized by their individuality and their ability to appeal to contemporary pop sensibilities. The result is a highly satisfying visual feast for the eyes. Many Japanese art museums close early, but Mori Art Museum is open late, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday through Sunday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, closing at 10:00 p.m. except on Tuesdays, and is recommended for those who want to stay up late and do a lot of sightseeing.
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT is located on the grounds of Roppongi Midtown, surrounded by the greenery of Midtown Garden. Many interesting exhibitions are held here that you can enjoy even if you are not an art expert.
The sophisticated exterior was designed by Tadao Ando, one of Japan’s leading world-class architects. The building is a low-rise structure with one floor above ground and one below, and once inside, you will find a large space that you would not expect from the exterior. The store space is free to enter, so feel free to visit.
Nezu Museum
The Nezu Museum in Minami-Aoyama was created to preserve and exhibit a collection of Japanese and Oriental antiquities. The museum’s collection includes more than 7,600 items, including national treasures, important cultural properties, and important art objects. The museum also has a garden and a tea ceremony room on the premises, allowing visitors to experience all aspects of Japanese culture.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum holds a variety of art exhibitions throughout the year, including major exhibitions where visitors can encounter masterpieces from Japan and around the world, as well as unique special exhibitions. In addition to art appreciation, the museum also offers art communication programs to connect people with artworks, people with people, and people with places through art.
The beautiful brick building was designed by Kunio Mayekawa, a master of Japanese modernist architecture. The harmony between the building and the natural surroundings of Ueno Park is one of the attractions of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. The museum also exhibits three-dimensional works, which can be viewed free of charge, so if you pass by the museum, stop by the entrance at least.
National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western Art exhibits the collection of Kojiro Matsukata, a Japanese businessman, and Western art from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, as well as donated works, in its permanent collection. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum holds a variety of special exhibitions, making it one of Japan’s leading art museums.Besides the exhibitions, the museum also serves as a base for a wide range of activities related to Western art, including collection, conservation and restoration, and information dissemination.
There are three buildings: the Main Building, the New Wing, and the Special Exhibition Wing. The Main Building was designed by French architect, Le Corbusier, one of the most famous architects of the 20th century, and is a historical building registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum,Tokyo
Located in Marunouchi, Tokyo, the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum is an art museum that focuses on the collection and study of 19th century modern art, and opened in 2010 as part of Marunouchi Brick Square, a commercial facility that opened in 2009. There are no permanent exhibitions, only special exhibitions. Exhibition projects are held three to four times a year, and visitors can enjoy the interesting experience of seeing the works of art change each time they visit.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is one of the largest contemporary art museums in Japan. With a collection of approximately 5,700 works, the museum holds a wide range of exhibitions of contemporary art, including paintings, sculpture, fashion, architecture, and design, including collection exhibitions that provide a perspective on the current trends in contemporary art and special exhibitions, such as large-scale international exhibitions. The adjacent Kiba Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo. Visitors can enjoy both the museum and a stroll through the park.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum (すみだ北斎美術館)
The Sumida Hokusai Museum, located in the Ryogoku area, introduces a wide range of works by the world-famous ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai and his students, and provides easy-to-understand information about Hokusai’s life and his relationship with Yasuda. It is a recommended spot for sightseeing in the Ryogoku area.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka（三鷹の森ジブリ美術館）
The Ghibli Museum is a museum where visitors can experience the world of Studio Ghibli, the well-known animation film studio.The museum is headed by Hayao Miyazaki, the creator of Studio Ghibli.
As the slogan “Let’s get lost together!” suggests, visitors can tour the museum in any order they like. the visitors can tour the museum in any order they like, getting lost along the way. The buildings in the museum are all uniquely designed, and even the information signs are works of art. The playful Ghibli Museum is a must-visit for Ghibli lovers and non-Ghibli lovers alike.
teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM Toyosu (チームラボプラネッツ TOKYO DMM 豊洲)
TeamLab is a digital content production company that uses advanced technology to create immersive works of art. In recent years, the company has gained popularity by operating dedicated museums around the world.
TeamLab Planets TOKYO DMM is one of the most popular of TeamLab’s facilities. The facility is open until the end of 2027 in Toyosu, a bay area of Tokyo, and is dedicated to the enjoyment of digital art that engages all five senses.
Inside the large building, there are exhibits of different types of artwork, each with its own unique features and ways to enjoy them. Inside the building, including the corridors, the entire area is dimly lit, and like a maze, you will be thrilled and excited to see what is about to happen.
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