Location: Tokyo
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10 Museums in Tokyo That You Shouldn't Miss
Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Tsukiji Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.
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1. Mori Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,105 reviews
This museum, located in Roppongi Hills, is one of Asia's largest spaces for contemporary art.
Reviewed By warrenD190 - Vladivostok, Russia
You can find some great exhibitions here and couple a visit to the art museum with a visit to the observatory with a 360 degree panorama of Tokyo, as spectacular as or more spectacular than the view from the SkyTree and a lot shorter line. I brought professional camera gear and they let me go up on the roof, otherwise restricted. Fantastic
2. Edo-Tokyo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,176 reviews
The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum opened its doors in March 1993 as a space to reflect on the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo and envision the city and life of the future. Housed in a unique building modeled after an elevated-floor type warehouse, the museum has been a landmark and popular tourist attraction in Tokyo since its opening. The permanent exhibition, showcasing original objects and replicas, offers visitors a journey through the 400-year history of Edo-Tokyo since Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum holds special exhibitions at the first floor gallery five to six times a year and carries out various other events, including lectures and workshops on the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo. ※As part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Edo Tokyo Museum will suspend or cancel museum-organized exhibitions and other events from April 25 (Sun) to May 31 (Tue).
Reviewed By stephanied623 - Milwaukee, United States
When we went, we chose a Saturday to see the live re-enactment of Edo-period music and dance. (Found those details on Peatix) and we were not disappointed! So beautiful! The museum itself was also very impressive. Loved the Bridge and Home Replicas, a few interactive exhibits to touch and try, and the audio guide fits on one ear and starts talking about the exhibit you are near by tapping it to the sign or walking near. Very wonderful sights and experiences here. Beautiful views and explanations and simply an amazing museum all around!
3. ASAKURA Museum of Sculpture, Taito
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
ASAKURA Museum of Sculpture was once a studio and residence of ASAKURA Fumio (1883-1964), a leading sculptor of modern Japan. The building is now open to the public as a museum exhibiting the collection of ASAKURA's sculptures. Visitors can enjoy viewing the world of ASAKURA and four distinct seasons of Japan.
Reviewed By chloet64 - Dandenong, Australia
A Japanese friend introduced us to this amazing museum. Before our visit, we had not heard of the Japanese sculptor Asakura. So our visit was very enjoyable and enlighting. The museum is situated in a small street in a traditional Japanese home, where Asakura once lived. The house is filled with an array of amazing sculptures and art, as well as a pond and a rooftop garden. And it seems that the artist loved cats! The staff had limited English but were kind and helpful. And it was a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon in Tokyo. Highly recommended if you enjoy and have an interest in art and history.
4. Tokyo National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,192 reviews
This famous museum houses the largest collection of Japanese artifacts and artworks in the world. With over 100,000 pieces and room to display only 4,000, exhibits are rotated constantly
Reviewed By E9706FNpaulo - County Monaghan, Ireland
Located at the top of Ueno Park this is a very large museum and is worth a visit to get a real appreciation of Japanese history and culture. My time was limited so only got to see a portion of worth I wanted to see but would definitely return if back in Tokyo.
5. National Museum of Nature and Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,229 reviews
Reviewed By bgood098
We had three hours to spend and were looking for something to keep our 8 year old occupied. When we asked what she was looking for, she said, “something with fossils, dinosaurs, early humans.” Hmmmm...check, check, and check. There was something for all of us to enjoy. Some exhibits were only in Japanese but many had English translations or were self explanatory. Kids had free admission. Worth a stop!
6. Nezu Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
To cooperate with extended measures to prevent further expansion of COVID-19, Nezu Museum, including the garden and NEZUCAFÉ, will remain closed,at least until May 31, 2021, and “The Allure of Color” exhibition will not reopen. For the refund of already purchased timed-entry tickets for the above exhibition, please see here. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Reviewed By RoomReport - Sydney, Australia
The Nezu Museum is an oasis in Aoyama, with a beautiful museum building, a large and lovely garden to wander around and an excellent cafe in a glass box at the top of the garden with great views over the greenery
7. National Museum of Western Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 905 reviews
Reviewed By PatrickLLLL - Hong Kong, China
One of the few western arts museums in the world which features a great collection of paintings by masters such as Renoir, Manet, Monet, Gaugin and more than a dozen sculptures by Rodin, and offers free admission to the public (on Saturdays). Seniors over 65 can enter free on all days. The Museum itself was the work of Le Corbusier and part of the UNESCO world heritage sites collectively designated under his name. Highly recommended. The annotations are in multiple languages including English. Allow 2 hours at least for a visit.
8. Fukagawa Edo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
See village life in 19th-century Fukagawa in this reproduction village of traditional homes, inns, fish and produce stores, complete with an ambient sound track and seasonal plants and weather.
Reviewed By 144leandad - Townsville, Australia
We stumbled upon this fantastic museum by accident as we were heading back to the Metro after visiting a nearby Sumo stable, Oguruma-beya. The entry price is only 400 yen, it's worth every penny. Inside they have re-created an Edo (old Tokyo) town, the attention to detail is magnificent. There are several English speaking guides who are all too happy to show you around (no charge) and I'd recommend this; you'll see all the small details you would miss on your own, plus learn a lot of history. Special thanks to our wonderful guide Nagano Higachi; you are very special lady and we enjoyed our time with you very much x
9. KidZania Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
KidZania is a city founded by the children of the world where they can be leaders and learn about society while having fun. Kids get to role-play as Adults at more than 90 jobs and activities using real-world tools and equipment. Complete with shops, vehicles and a functional society, KidZania is a 2/3 scale city just for Kids. Choose an activity at the TV Station, Airplane, Bank or any of the over 60 pavilions. Put on a uniform and get to work! ★What to do? First, choose a pavilion where you want to work. After you finish your job, you get paid in the local currency, "kidZos". Use your kidZos to shop and pay for services. At most activities, you will be creating something new. Whether it is food from the Pizza Shop or Bakery, or a DVD from the Fashion Show, what you create is yours to keep! ★Let's Start! Just like any country you will travel to, the more you plan before you enter, the better. Upon entering KidZania, choose a pavilion and get started! ★Getting Tickets KidZania Tokyo operates two shifts daily. ・1st shift:9:00am - 3:00pm ・2st shift:4:00pm - 9:00pm Congestion is expected. Please come here as early as possible! Book your tickets online ahead of time to make sure you get in on the day and time you wish. Same-day ticket sales are limited and subject to capacity. ★Using English Though most Activities are in Japanese, a limited number are conducted in English every day. Regardless of language skill, all Kids are encouraged to try any activity they wish!
Reviewed By WS_Ang - Singapore, Singapore
Excellent indoor facility for children to role play different occupations and earn kidzo (currency that can be used in all Kidzania outlets globally). It is located in a shopping mall and near to Toyosu station. Staff are friendly, helpful and patient, and they make instructions very simple for kids (young kids or kids who don’t speak Japanese) to follow. You can check in (best to buy tickets online before visiting) at the counter before the shift starts (2 shifts per day: 9am to 3pm and 4pm to 9pm) and you will be given a queue number card for entering. You can start to queue 45 minutes before the shift starts at the stipulated queue spot according to your queue number and admission begins around 30 minutes before the shift starts. Once inside, it is best to go to the popular activities (Nintendo, candy factory, pilot) to make a reservation so that you can come back for that activity later at the reserved time. You can only make the next reservation after you have finished the first reserved activity. In the meantime, You can do other jobs that are available (refer to the timing information displayed at each activity). For the theatre events, there’s only 1 session per event(example, there’s only 1 wedding ceremony per shift) so you might want to reserve for a particular type of theatre activity that your child really wants to do. Kidzania Tokyo does not use the B.Kidzania PaZZport so you cannot collect stamps in your PaZZport here. Instead they use the job reservations card and they give out a job card at the end of each completed activity, which is quite a nice collectible. They also have professionally taken photos of your child for certain activities that are printed out and displayed near the entrance and you can choose which one you will like to purchase. (Wish they can be more environmentally friendly though!) They have some F&B outlets for food and drinks purchases, with lots of seatings around. There’s also a parents lounge for parents to relax in. We went for the Speak English Wednesday 2nd shift event, and we heard from the staff that the speak English events are usually not as crowded. Overall it’s a unique and fun place for kids to try different jobs activity.
10. The National Art Center, Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,302 reviews
Announcement of Temporary Closing (May 11, 2021) In compliance with the state of emergency and the government's request, the National Art Center, Tokyo will be closed to prevent the further spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) from April 25 (Sun) for the time being. Re-opening plans will be announced at a later date on the NACT website/SNS. We apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation. --- The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) is a unique and innovative art exhibition facility: instead of maintaining a permanent collection, it makes the most of a total of 14,000 square meters of exhibition space, one of the largest in Japan, and focuses on serving as a venue for various art exhibitions.
Reviewed By Joao_FGR - Sapporo, Japan
The museum doesn't have a permanent collection, which means that the exhibitions change very often. The building is really nice, including very good restaurants, and the choice of the themes is always very interesting. Although the prices are a bit high, the collections presented are normally very large and well organised. I visited 3 times during the last years and it was always very, very interesting.
