Tokyo is a must-see city for art lovers, with more than 100 museums in Tokyo alone. The Omotesando and Aoyama areas are also home to many unique museums and art spots. We have compiled a list of museums and art spots carefully selected by our editorial department that you should especially check out.
Museums in Omotesando and Aoyama
The art spots in the Omotesando and Aoyama area are all unique museums. Although smaller in size, many museums have their own collections, and there are many artworks that can only be seen here. Many of the buildings of the museums are also very interesting, so you can enjoy them along with the art.
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.
Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum
Taro Okamoto is one of Japan’s most famous artists. The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum was opened in the space that Taro Okamoto used as his studio and residence for nearly 50 years until his death in 1996.
Formerly the residence of Taro Okamoto, known for his powerful style, this museum is a powerful place where one can feel a sense of presence even before entering the building. Unusually for a Japanese art museum, photography is not permitted inside the museum. Visitors can enjoy many works of art with a camera in hand.
The garden in front of the building is also noteworthy. It is a space composed of plants that Taro Okamoto, who said “I liked trees and grass growing wild,” liked to plant, and if you look closely, you will find cute sculptures lurking in the garden.
Ota Memorial Art Museum
The Ota Memorial Museum of Art specializes in Ukiyo-e. The museum’s collection of approximately 15,000 works covers the history of Ukiyo-e, including representative works by popular artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige, who are the most famous Ukiyo-e artists. The Ukiyo-e collection is displayed in the museum, with a new work being displayed each month. This museum is recommended for those who want to learn more about Japanese art.
Watari-um Art Museum
Watari-um Museum of Contemporary Art is an art museum that organizes exhibitions of architecture, photography, visual media, and design, with a focus on contemporary art. The distinctive exterior of the museum was designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta. The architecture, built on a triangular site, is also a highlight of the museum. The exhibitions are unique, but the museum store is also not to be missed, with a wide selection of art books and other items with good taste.
Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo
Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo is an art space located on the 7th floor of the Louis Vuitton Omotesando Building. It will host exhibitions of contemporary art. The Louis Vuitton Omotesando Building was designed by renowned Japanese architect Jun Aoki. With a ceiling height of 8.45 meters, most of the walls of the space are made of glass, giving the impression of a different space with glass walls floating in the sky.
Yoku Moku Museum
Yoku Moku is a famous Japanese confectionery manufacturer. The Yoku Moku Museum opened in 2020. On the first floor of the museum, there is a café where visitors can enjoy Yoku Moku’s sweets, creating a space where visitors can enjoy both art and sweets.
