City: Japan
Top Things to do in Japan
Top Hotels in Japan
- 1. Hotel Universal Port Vita
- 2. Hotel Universal Port
- 3. Hotel Nikko Osaka
- 4. Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
- 5. Hotel Nikko Alivila Yomitan Resort Okinawa
- 6. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
- 7. Mitsui Garden Hotel Prana Tokyo Bay
- 8. Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
- 9. The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
- 10. The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda
Countries
Things to do in Japan, Japan: The Best Specialty Museums
Coordinates: 35°N 136°E / 35°N 136°E / 35; 136
Restaurants in Japan
1. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,517 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Arriving in Nagoya mid-morning by train from Matsumoto, I thought I would abandon my luggage in a locker at Nagoya Station and head to the Toyota Museum before checking-in to my hotel for a 2-night stay. A short hop (1-stop) on a local Meitetsu train to the nearby Sako Station and a few minutes walk down the street brings you to the main entrance. Just entering the attraction, it immediately earned 5-stars for me when I discovered that the normal Y500 entrance fee is waived for Seniors (over 65's) like myself. Audio guides are available if required for Y200, but for me the informative leaflet in English was sufficient to find my way around. I was blissfully unaware of the Textile Machinery Pavilion and Toyota's history of spinning and weaving prior to visiting and found this part of the exhibit surprisingly interesting. Like most people, I had been drawn to the Museum by the "Cars" and the Automotive Pavilion contained a reasonable cross-section of models across the decades since Toyota's first passenger car (Model AA) was produced in 1936. As well as the cars, I particularly enjoyed the Production Line Reconstructions associated with the Model AA and the exhibit where robotic arms assemble a modern car chassis (.... press the button, stand back and video the balletic performance!). Before you leave, make sure you take in a performance of a Toyota robot playing the violin in the South Lobby (see leaflet for times). It's not only the "Cars" that are the "Stars"!
2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,977 reviews
This park commemorates the explosion of the first atomic bomb, and houses the Peace Memorial Museum and monuments related to the horrific event.
Reviewed By Dan06101973 - Toowoomba, Australia
This is perhaps one of the most moving experiences we had during our Japanese holiday. The Atomic Dome, Peace Park and Museum are all captivating, with many deeply personal stories and reflections. There is an audiovisual display that gives a depiction of the bomb dropping which depicts Hiroshima both before and after the event which is extremely thought-provoking and intense. If you travel to Japan you must visit this site - you will not be disappointed.
3. Ghibli Museum Mitaka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,898 reviews
The brainchild of award-winning Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, this museum includes a theater showing film excerpts, a whimsical children's play zone, a rooftop garden, and exhibits related to his movies, including Spirited Away.
Reviewed By Janis857
Amazing museum for Ghibli fans. Not overwhelming - works its way into your heart, just like their productions. Relies on triggering your recall of things Ghibli that you love. I also enjoyed their presentation of the rooms and desks where the drawings were created, and the equipment used to create the moving animation. Must get tickets in advance, and line up early - aim for 10AM opening time tickets, and get in line by 9:30.. Easy 17 minute train ride on JR Chuo Line Rapid to Mitaka from Shinjuku station in Tokyo and then walk thru park to the museum -- or ride the quick, local Community Bus , stop 9 at south exit of JR Mitaka station. There is real attention to making exhibits accessible to small children. The cheerful cafe has a menu with hotdog type food - aimed for kids. After visit, recommend eating lunch at a great French restaurant - Fuyotei- located at edge of park.
4. National Museum of Ethnology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By Buckster21 - London, United Kingdom
In the centre of the Expo Park, and some way out of the city, this museum is definitely worth a visit. The second floor is a huge set of rooms that are informative (and usually in English too) and very well laid out. The place is an academic centre too, which probably explains the outstanding quality of the exhibits. You will learn about other cultures, not just in Asia, and see samples of their art, religion and dress. As an example of how to explain changes in societies, this place is hard to beat.
5. Yamato Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 846 reviews
Reviewed By dave_hempenstall1
Awesome museum, do scan the QR code on entering to get the English video apps for the museum, makes a big difference, WiFi in museum is free. The exhibits are well worth the trip from Hiroshima(free with JR pass), the models of ships are cool and drop over to the JSDF museum opposite for a free lookie loo in a submarine.
6. Toyota Automobile Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
Reviewed By instajan66 - Bornem, Belgium
It's not just Toyota, it's about cars... history and cars. The release of a certain car set in the time era. Good lay-out, cars all look amazing, as new. You can also see nice cars on the parking lot, sometimes Toyota-fans gather with their oldtimers.
7. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 701 reviews
Reviewed By KlapauciusJapan
Revisited after about 6 months since the last time. Have been here many times but always seem to find something I’ve missed before or something new added, and enjoy seeing the same exhibits again. Also, the special exhibition changes every few months. Well worth revisiting if you haven’t been for a while.
8. JMSDF Kure Museum
9. Motorcar Museum of Japan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
The classic car called various national valuable wonderful car is exhibited. The car museum where about 500 classic cars of the Japanese maximum level were exhibited.
10. Oya History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By Shigeabbott - Abbottstown, United States
We had no idea how jaw dropping this place was! You are able to talk through a part of a stone mine. It makes you feel you are on another planet or something. Don’t forget to take a sweater or light jacket because it’s chilly all year around. I didn’t see any handicap accommodations and you will have to climb down and up many steps-just like when you visit a good size caves or caverns. Very limited information in English, which didn’t make much sense. But you can get what they’re trying to tell you. There is a small information area but again all in Japanese. My non-Japanese speaking teens were able to get main information by reading English signs posted here and there. They were very amused by huge tour buses driving through small areas between carved boulders in the mountain.
