Tokyo Art Museums｜Explore Best Exhibits & Hidden Gems in Tokyo

If you’re planning an art-filled trip, this Tokyo Art Museum Guide helps you discover the city’s best museums and galleries. From Japanese paintings and ukiyo-e to crafts and modern exhibits, explore Tokyo’s diverse art scene with ease.

In the first volume, we introduced five museums and art galleries recommended for first-time visitors to Tokyo.
In this second volume, we have grouped the museums by genre so that you can enjoy them more deeply according to your interests.

Many of the institutions introduced here do not have a permanent collection, but rather exhibit selected works from their collections for a set period of time. There are also museums that do not have their own collections but only hold special exhibitions or special exhibitions, and the atmosphere differs greatly depending on the content of the exhibition.

In addition, some special exhibitions require reservations for specific dates and times, so be sure to check the official website for the latest information before visiting.

*TeamLabo and the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka have been excluded because many people already know about them.

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Japanese Art & Traditional Crafts

Suntory Museum of Art

1. Features: Special exhibitions focusing on Japanese arts and crafts. Approximately 3,000 pieces, including national treasures, in the collection.
2. Location/Access: 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku (Tokyo Midtown) / Directly connected to Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo Line
3. Official website: https://www.suntory.co.jp/sma

Yamatane Museum of Art

1. Characteristics: Specializes in Japanese-style paintings. Strengths: Works of Hayami Gosyu and other masters of the modern art world.
2. Location/Access: 3-12-36 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / 10 min. walk from Ebisu Station
3. Official website: https://www.yamatane-museum.jp

Ota Memorial Museum of Art

1. Feature: Specializes in Ukiyo-e. Full of special exhibitions of Hokusai, Hiroshige, etc.
2. Location/Access: 1-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / 5 min. walk from Harajuku Station
3. Official website: https://www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp

Nezu Museum

1. Features: The museum houses a collection of Japanese and Oriental antiques. Many national treasures. The garden is also a highlight.
2. Location/Access: 6-5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo / 8-minute walk from Omotesando Station Exit A5
3. Official website: https://www.nezu-muse.or.jp

Mitsui Memorial Museum

1. Feature: Focuses on Japanese decorative arts. Many national treasures and important cultural properties on display.
2. Location/Access: Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo / Directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station
3. Official website: https://www.mitsui-museum.jp

Seikado Bunko Art Museum

1. Features: 7 National Treasures, including the Yohhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl (one of only three in the world), 84 Important Cultural Properties, and many other masterpieces of Oriental antique art.
2. Location/Access: Meiji Seimeikan 1F, 2-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / 1 minute walk from Nijubashimae Station
3. Official website: https://www.seikado.or.jp

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum

1. Feature: Founded by Muneyoshi Yanagi. Exhibits many Japanese, Korean, and Okinawan folk art works under the theme of the beauty of crafts as daily necessities.
2. Location/Access: 4-3-33 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo / 7 minutes walk from Komaba-todaimae Station
3. Official website: https: //www.mingeikan.or.jp

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Contemporary & Modern Highlights

Mori Art Museum

1. Features: international contemporary art, architecture and design. Open late into the night.
2. Location/Access: 53F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
3. Official website: https://www.mori.art.museum

For those who love contemporary architecture and design, the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi is currently hosting “The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest,” a must-see exhibition exploring the future of spaces and nature.

The Watari Museum of Contemporary Art

1. Features: Specializes in international contemporary art and avant-garde exhibitions. Unique exhibition space
2. Location/Access: 3-7-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / 8 minutes walk from Gaienmae Station
3. Official website: http://www.watarium.co.jp

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Museums for Iconic Japanese Artists

The Sumida Hokusai Museum

1. Feature: Specializes in Katsushika Hokusai, the master of Ukiyo-e. High-resolution replicas and other exhibits.
2. Location/Access: 2-7-2 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo / 7-12 min. walk from Ryogoku Station
3. Official website: https://hokusai-museum.jp

Yayoi Kusama Museum

1. Feature: Exhibits representative works (dot works, Mirror Room, etc.) by world-renowned avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama. By appointment only
2. Location/Access: 107 Benten-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo / 7 minutes walk from Waseda Station and Ushigome Yanagicho Station
3. Official website: https://yayoikusamamuseum.jp

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum

1. Feature: The studio and residence of avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto, creator of the Tower of the Sun (1970 Osaka Expo). A variety of works and creative spaces are open to the public.
2. Location/Access: 6-1-19 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo / 8-minute walk from Omotesando Station (Exit B1)
3. Official website: https://taro-okamoto.or.jp

Takehisa Yumeji Museum

1. Feature: Takehisa Yumeji, a painter who symbolized Taisho Romanticism (a culture that mixed Japanese and Western influences in the early 20th century). The exhibition focuses on his paintings of beautiful women and publications
2. Location/Access: 2-4-2 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo / 7 minutes walk from Nezu Station
3. Official website: https://www.yayoi-yumeji-museum.jp

Chihiro Art Museum

1. Features: Exhibits mainly works by picture book artist Chihiro Iwasaki. Many works on the theme of children and peace.
2. Location/Access: 4-7-2 Shimoishakujii, Nerima-ku, Tokyo / 7-minute walk from Kami-igusa Station
3. Official website: https://chihiro.jp/tokyo

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Major Tokyo Museums & Must-See Exhibitions

The National Art Center, Tokyo

1. Features: Many public exhibitions and large international exhibitions
2. Location/Access: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo / Directly connected to Nogizaka Station
3. Official website: https://www.nact.jp

SOMPO Museum of Art

1. Feature: Holds Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” in its collection. Various exhibitions of modern and contemporary art
2. Location/Access: Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku/5 min. walk from West Exit of Shinjuku Station
3. Official website: https://www.sompo-museum.org

Artizon Museum

1. Features: Wide range of exhibits from impressionist to contemporary art
2. Location/Access: 1-7-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku / 5 min. walk from Tokyo Sta.
3. Official website: https://www.artizon.museum

Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo

1. Features: Exhibits mainly 19th century Western art. Art museum that recreates the Western-style architecture of the Meiji Period.
2. Location/Access: 2-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station
3. Official website: https://mimt.jp

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

1. Characteristics: Metropolitan art museum with a wide range of public and special exhibitions and educational programs
2. Location/Access: Ueno Park, Taito-ku/7 min. walk from Ueno Station
3. Official website: https://www.tobikan.jp/

Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art

1. Features: corporate collections including Georges Rouault and special exhibitions
2. Location/Access: 1-5-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo / Directly connected to Shiodome Station, 8-minute walk from Shinbashi Station
3. Official website: https://panasonic.co.jp/ew/museum

The Ueno Royal Museum

1. Characteristics: Independent art museum that holds a variety of special and public exhibitions
2. Location/Access: Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo/3 min. walk from Ueno Station
3. Official website: https://www.ueno-mori.org

Tokyo Station Gallery

1. Features: Mainly exhibits modern and contemporary art. The red brick station building space is also attractive.
2. Location/Access: 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Directly connected to Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station
3. Official website: https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/gallery

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Photography, Architecture & Unique Genres

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

1. Feature: Art Deco architecture and gardens are attractive. Special exhibitions are also held.
2. Location/Access: 5-21-9 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku / 7 min. walk from Shirokanedai Station
3. Official website: https://www.teien-art-museum.ne.jp

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

1. Feature: Outdoor museum with actual exhibits of historical buildings
2. Location/Access: 3-7-1 Sakura-machi, Koganei-shi / Bus from Musashi Koganei Station
3. Official website: https://www.tatemonoen.jp

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

1. Features: Specializes in photography and video. A variety of exhibits from contemporary expression to news photography.
2. Location/Access: 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo / 7 min. walk from Ebisu Station
3. Official website: https://topmuseum.jp

Toguri Museum of Art

1. Features: Specializes in oriental ceramics from China, Korea, and Japan. Attractive systematic exhibits.
2. Location/Access: 1-11-3 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / 15 min. walk from Shibuya Station
3. Official website: https://www.toguri-museum.or.jp

Mori Arts Center Gallery

1. Features: Diverse exhibitions of world masterpieces, animation, movies, fashion, etc.
2. Location/Access：52F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
3. Official website: https://macg.roppongihills.com

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Suggested Museum Tours in Tokyo

Combine with sightseeing

Since museums are scattered throughout Tokyo, it is recommended to combine them with sightseeing spots.

• Around Roppongi: It is possible to visit Mori Art Museum, The National Art Center, Tokyo, and Suntory Museum of Art in one day. You can also enjoy shopping and dining together.
• Ueno area: Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and Ueno Royal Museum. There is also a zoo, ideal for cultural experiences.
• Marunouchi/Tokyo Station Area: Marunouchi/Tokyo Station Area: Within walking distance of Tokyo Station Gallery, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Seikado Bunko Art Museum, and more. This is a luxurious area where historic architecture and masterpieces of oriental art coexist.

For art lovers and repeat visitors

We also recommend that you visit themed tours based on genre or author. For example:

• For “Nihonga” lovers: Yamatane Museum of Art → Nezu Museum of Art → Ota Memorial Museum of Art
• For “traditional crafts and antiques” lovers: Mitsui Memorial Museum of Art → Seikado Bunko Art Museum → Toguri Museum of Art
• For those interested in “folk art and the beauty of daily life”: Japan Folk Art Museum → Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum → Tokyo Tatemono-en
• Museums that specialize in particular artists, such as Yayoi Kusama, Taro Okamoto, and Hokusai, have unique exhibition spaces.

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Relax at Museum Cafés & Restaurants

Many museums have attached cafes and restaurants. Sometimes they offer limited menus linked to the exhibition content, so it is recommended to check the official website in advance.

Particularly popular cafes (e.g., Café 1894 at the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum) are not available for reservation and tend to be crowded, so weekdays and earlier in the day will be smoother.

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Visitor Tips: Hours & Closures

I went to the museum, but it was closed! To avoid such a situation, please check the official sites to confirm the information on closing days, temporary closures, and night hours before you visit the museum.

• Most are closed on Mondays in the Ueno area, and most are closed on Tuesdays in the Roppongi area.
• Some museums extend their opening hours until around 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during special exhibitions. Evening hours are relatively empty and are recommended.

Tokyo Art Museum Guide｜Summary & Tips for Repeat Visitors

Did you find an art museum that interests you?
Although we have focused on museums recommended for second- and third-time visitors to Tokyo, there are still many more fascinating art museums and galleries in Tokyo.

You may encounter unexpected and wonderful art while walking around town.

In the next issue, we hope to go beyond Tokyo and introduce some recommended regional museums. Please look forward to it!