Tokyo has hundreds of museums and art galleries. Many of the most famous such as the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art are located in Ueno Park, but there are many more spread throughout the city. Entrance fees for museums are typically ¥600-800 and ¥1,000-1,500 for art galleries, with discounts for children and senior citizens.
If you plan on visiting several museums in Tokyo, then you should consider the Grutto Pass which gives you discounted entry to around 100 facilities throughout the capital. Note that most museums close on Mondays (unless it is a public holiday), and during the end year and New Year holidays.
Gallery éf
Well regarded and unusual art gallery near Asakusa housed inside a beautiful old Edo warehouse which has managed to survive fires, air raids, and earthquakes. The gallery markets itself as a cafe/bar space and a place for cultural exchanges, and many of the works of art are themed around the historic area.
Gallery 12:00-19:00. Bar 18:00-24:00
Free
Ghibli Museum
Museum designed by Studio Ghibli’s director, Hayao Miyazaki, and based on the storyboards used to create the films, the most famous of which (outside of Japan, at least) is Spirited Away (2001).
10:00-18:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
Adults ¥1,000, discounts for U18s and children. Tickets can only be purchased in advance.
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art—one of the oldest contemporary art museums in Tokyo—opened in 1979 to display…
11:00-17:00 (until 8pm on Wednesdays. The museum is closed on Mondays or the following day if Monday is a public holiday. The museum may also be closed in-between exhibitions so check the website for details
Adults ¥1,100 | Students ¥700 (high school and university) or ¥500 (junior and elementary)
Japanese Sword Museum
Museum containing a collection of over 150 items including swords designated as national treasures. There is an explanation of the manufacturing process and an archives room that holds 1,500 historical documents on swords.
9:30-17:00. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Adults ¥1,000 with discounts students and children.
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum
The museum focuses primarily on late 19th century Western art work—notably including 250 works of graphic art originally owned by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
10:00-18:00. Fridays: 10:00-21:00 (unless a public holiday). The museum is closed on Monday (unless that day is a national holiday).
Admission fee varies by exhibition
