Full of museums and galleries from traditional to modern art, Tokyo is undoubtedly a paradise for lovers of art and design. However, there are so many art museums in Tokyo that you may feel overwhelmed at first. Don’t worry, we select 7 best Tokyo art museums for you. From Japanese to Western, from paintings to sculptures, from photography to video artworks, you can enjoy a wide range of art in the 7 selections of museums.
National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo
A Museum Next to the Imperial Palace
Situated near the Imperial Palace, The National Museum of Modern Art (MOMAT) has one of the largest collections of Japanese modern and contemporary art from the beginning of the 20th century to the present as well as works from abroad.
Japanese art over more than a century old.
The permanent exhibition on the fourth to the second floors is the only one in Japan gives us an insightful overview of the modern Japanese art over more than a century. In addition, MOMAT hosts an abundance of excellent special exhibits.
Also, please don't miss "Room With A View" where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Imperial Palace East Garden.
Spot information
- Spot name: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
- Street address: 3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322
- Access: 3 minutes walk from 1b exit, Takebashi station, Subway Tozai Line
- Admission:
- Adults: 500 yen
- University and college students: 250 yen
- Free for high school students, under 18, seniors over 65, Campus Members, those with MOMAT Passport, MOMAT Members, and MOMAT Supporters. Persons with disability and one person accompanying each of them are admitted free of charge.
- Admission for special exhibitions varies from exhibition to exhibition.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
Japan's ONLY public photography museum
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, also known as TOP Museum, occupies a four-floor building in one corner of Yebisu Garden Place. It is the only public museum in Japan devoted to photography and moving images.
Over 34,000 items of photography artworks
It features a large permanent collection of over 34,000 photography artworks, many of which have become rare and hard to obtain. World-class works from both Japanese and international photographic artists are exhibited in the museum.
In addition, the library and educational programs reflect the latest global developments in various fields of multimedia.
Spot information
- Spot name: Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
- Street address: Yebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0062
- Access: 7-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Ebisu station or a 10-minute walk from Exit 1 of Ebisu station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- Admission: The admission fees vary, depending on the exhibition or screening.
National Museum of Western Art Tokyo
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Having been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016, The National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) is Japan's only national institution devoted to western art.
The Impressionists and Auguste Rodin
The permanent exhibition contains the Matsukata Collection of the Impressionist paintings and Auguste Rodin's sculptures and works from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Special exhibitions present works from overseas museums.
Spot information
- Spot name: The National Museum of Western Art
- Street address: 7-7 Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
- Access:
- JR Yamanote Line, 1 minute from Ueno Station, Park Exit
- Ginza or Hibiya Subway Lines, 8 minutes from Ueno Station
- Admission:
- Adults: 500 yen
- College students: 250 yen
- Free for High school students or younger; those over the age of 65; those under the age of 18; those with physical or mental disabilities and their attendants.
- Separate charges for special exhibitions
- On Friday and Saturday evenings from 17:00 to 20:00, admission to the Collection Galleries is free.
Tokyo art museum Roppongi—The National Art Center, Tokyo
One of the largest art exhibition facility in Japan
The National Art Centre, Tokyo (NACT) is an innovative art exhibition facility featuring futuristic designs by Kisho Kurokawa. It occupies a total of 14,000 square meters of exhibition space, one of the largest in Japan.
A museum without permanent collection
Instead of housing permanent collection, it concentrated on various special exhibitions. The main exhibition space is free, for some special exhibitions will require a ticket.
Spot information
- Spot name: The National Art Center, Tokyo
- Street address: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8558
- Access: Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nogizaka Station, Direct access from Exit 6
- Admission: Exhibition fees vary by exhibition.
Tokyo art museum Roppongi—Mori Art Museum
A museum on a high floor with great contemporary art
Located on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the Mori Tower, the Mori Art Museum hosts contemporary art exhibitions in various genres, including fashion, architecture, design, photography and video.
A museum on a high floor with great city view
Aside from the excellently-curated exhibitions, what also attracts us is the indoor observatory and rooftop sky deck where a spectacular view of Tokyo is visible. One combined ticket can allow access to both the museum and the observatory.
Spot information
- Spot name: Mori Art Museum
- Street address: 52F/53F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 0-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line “Roppongi Station” Exit 1C (direct access to Roppongi Hills through concourse)
- Admission: Mori Art Museum (and Tokyo City View)
- Adult: 1,800 yen
- University / Highschool student: 1,200 yen
- Child (Age 4 up to Junior, highschool student): 600 yen
- Senior (Ages 65 & over): 1,500 yen
Bridgestone Museum of Art Tokyo
A great museum founded by Bridgestone Corporation
In 1952, the founder of Bridgestone Corporation, Ishibashi Shojiro opened a gallery on the 2nd floor of the Bridgestone Building in Kyobashi Tokyo in order to open his art collection to the public.
The museum's permanent collection centres on modern and contemporary Western art, with a particular focus on Impressionism and 20th century paintings, and also Japanese Western-style paintings.
Closing since 2015 and reopening in 2019
Since May 2015, due to the reconstruction of the building, the museum has been closed to the public. The new building is scheduled to open at the start of 2020, and the space will be nearly twice larger than before.
Spot information
- Spot name: Bridgestone Museum of Art (will become Artizon Museum in January 18th, 2020)
- Street address: 1-10-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031
- Access:
- 5 min. walk from JR “Tokyo” Station Yaesu Chuo-guchi
- 5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line “Kyobashi” Station Exit No. 6
- 5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line・Tozai Line, Toei Asakusa Line “Nihonbashi” Station Exit B1
- Admission: Exhibition fees vary by exhibition.
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Outstanding collection of Western oil paintings
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (TFAM) was founded in 1983 by Daisaku Ikeda, the president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI). The TFAM collection contains over 30,000 items of artworks, from East and West, ancient and modern.
Especially noteworthy is its outstanding collection of Western oil paintings which span a five-hundred-year period. From the Renaissance, 17th century Baroque, 18th century Rococo, to Impressionism and postmodernism.
Spot information
- Spot name: Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
- Street address: 492-1 Yano-machi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0016
- Access: From JR Hachioji Station (North Exit) or Keio Hachioji Station: take Nishi-Tokyo Bus at bus platform no.4 for Soka University Main gate Tokyo Fuji Art Museum bus stop, or Soka University loop bus to Soka University Main Gate Tokyo Fuji Art Museum bus stop.
- Admission:
- Adults: 1,300 yen
- University and high school students: 800 yen
- Junior high school and primary school students: 400 yen
- Free for preschool children and younger. Free for junior high school and elementary school students on Sat. Free entry on birthdays.
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