No visit to Tokyo is complete without an exploration of some of its excellent museums. Although not always free to enter like some museums in other countries, admission charges are very reasonable and there is a huge variety of things to see. Any review of museums in Tokyo would normally cover the excellent Edo-Tokyo Museum, but this is closed for renovation until the end of 2025, so I will update this article with information on the Edo-Tokyo Museum closer to its reopening. Meanwhile, you can find details about the Tokyo National Museum in another post here, and if interactive, immersive digital art is your thing, you can get information about teamLab Borderless here.
National Museum of Nature and Science- Extensive exhibits on natural history and science within Ueno Park (MORE ON THIS)
Mori Art Museum – A contemporary art museum located on the 53rd floor of the Mori Tower (MORE ON THIS)
Tobacco and Salt Museum – Learn the history of this unique combination in Japan.(MORE ON THIS)
National Art Center– Rotating exhibitions from various art forms and periods (MORE ON THIS)
Nezu Museum – A private collection of pre-modern Japanese and East-Asian art (MORE ON THIS)
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The only national museum of nature and science in Japan, this museum, located within Ueno park, is home to 25,000 exhibits exploring everything from dinosaurs, to outer space, Japanese ecosystems, and technological advances. Easily recognizable by the blue whale replica at its entrance, it includes a Japan Gallery, tracing the history of the Japanese people, 3D and IMAX theaters, and various interactive exhibits. The museum was originally opened in 1871, and, after several name changes, became the National Museum of Nature and Science in 2007.
Admission Fee: General admission: ￥630. Free for high-schoolers and below, over 65s, and disabled visitors (+ one caregiver). May be additional charges for specific exhibits.
Access: No more than a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno station, or a 10-minute walk from Keisei Ueno station and Ueno station on the subway Ginza line.
The Google map link is here.
The Mori Art Museum, founded by real estate developer Minoru Mori, is a contemporary art museum situated on the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, a commercial, cultural, and residential mega-complex in Tokyo. Established in 2003 based on Mori’s belief that “culture shapes a city’s identity,” the museum focuses on large-scale international exhibitions of contemporary art while also maintaining a permanent collection featuring works from Japan and the wider Asia Pacific region. The museum’s diverse programming caters to a wide-ranging audience, including children, older adults, locals, and international visitors. It regularly hosts thematic exhibitions that explore current social, cultural, and political issues through various media, including painting, sculpture, video, and installation art. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum offers educational programs such as lectures, workshops, and gallery tours to engage the public with contemporary art.
Admission Fee: General admission: ￥1,600 for adults, ￥1,100 for university/high-school students. Some discounts available for groups and disabled persons.. May be additional charges for specific exhibits.
Access: Approximate 3-minute walk from Roppongi station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (Exit 1) or the Toei Oedo Line (Exit 1C or 3)
The Google map link is here.
The Tobacco and Salt Museum in Sumida, Tokyo, explores the historical and cultural importance of tobacco and salt, two commodities that were once state-controlled in Japan. Originally founded in Shibuya in 1978, the museum relocated to Sumida in 2015. Its permanent exhibitions focus on the introduction and evolution of tobacco in Japan, showcasing smoking tools and packaging from around the world, and the role of salt in food preservation, its extraction methods, and trade routes. The museum highlights the impact of both commodities on Japanese daily life and economy. It also hosts special exhibitions on various related topics, making each visit unique. The museum features interactive displays that offer a deeper understanding of tobacco and salt’s significance. Although small, it provides a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s industrial and cultural history and is a recommended stop for visitors near Tokyo Skytree.
Admission Fee: General admission is 100 yen for adults and university students, and 50 yen for students up to high school age.
Access: Approximate 12-minute walk from Oshiage station on the Hanzomon, Keisei and Toei-Asakusa lines, 10 minutes on foot from Honjo-Azumabashi station on the Toei-Asakusa line, and 8 minutes from Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree Line.
The Google map link is here
A distinctive feature of the National Art Center, opened in Roppongi in 2007, is that it does not contain any permanent exhibitions, but focuses on hosting a huge range of temporary collections. The museum has a distinctive wave-like architecture, designed by renowned architect Kishio Kurokawa, and a massive 14,000-square meter exhibition space. The exhibitions cover a wide range of different art forms, including contemporary sculptures, photography, design, and fashion, as well as classical paintings.
Admission Fee: Admission to the museum is free, but there may be charges for individual exhibitions.
Access: Direct access from Nogizaka station on the Chiyoda line (exit 6), or a 5-minute walk from Roppongi station on the Hibiya line (exit 4A) or 4-minute walk the same station on the Toei Oedo line (exit 7).
The Google map link is here
The Nezu Museum, located in Tokyo’s swanky Aoyama district, is a renowned cultural institution specializing in Japanese and East Asian art. Founded in 1940 by industrialist and art collector Nezu Kaichirō, the museum offers a serene and enriching experience with its collection of over 7,400 pieces, including painting, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, and metalwork. Highlights include Japanese tea ceremony utensils, Buddhist art, and Chinese bronzes. The museum is set within a sprawling traditional Japanese garden, which includes winding paths, ponds, tea houses, and carefully manicured landscapes. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, the museum features modern architecture that harmonizes with its traditional Japanese garden. Seasonal exhibitions and thematic displays provide fresh insights into East Asian art and culture, making it a cultural and scenic highlight of Tokyo’s fashionable Omotesando boulevard.
Admission Fee: ￥1,400 for adults, ￥1,300 for students of high school age or above, and free for younger students. There may be additional charges for individual exhibitions.
Access: Approximately a 10-minute walk from Omotesando station on the subway Ginza, Hanzomon, or Chiyoda lines (exits B3 or B4).
The Google map link is here