The Tokyo National Museum is an art museum and is one of four museums run by the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage. It is also the oldest national museum in Japan, largest art museum in Japan and one of the largest in the world. With over 100,000 items in possession including 89 national treasures of Japan, this museum focuses on artwork and cultural objects from all over Asia with a primary focus on ancient and medieval Japan.

Entrance fee: 1000 Yen for adults, 500 yen for University students, free for 18&un and 70&ov

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Address: 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712

Hours: Closed Mondays and New Years holiday, 9:30am - 5pm (9:00pm on Friday and Saturday)

*If Monday is a holiday then it is open and closed the next day

Tel: +81-(50)-5541-8600

Website: https://www.tnm.jp/?lang=en

How to get there: A 10 minute walk from the JR Ueno Station on the JR Line or a 10 minute walk from the JR Uguisudani Station

 

Studio Ghibli is Japan’s world renowned animation studio that equals that of Disney’s impact and caliber. This unique museum doesn’t display the past works and history of the museum but rather an immersive experience into the world of Ghibli with some of it’s friendliest characters such as Totoro! The leading director of the Studio, Hayao Miyazaki, wrote a poem of how he wants the museum to be. He describes how he wants it to be welcomed by all people - not just Ghibli fans - and how he wants to inspire people through this unique museum. Here’s the first stanza of the poem by him:

A museum that is interesting and which relaxes the soul
A museum where much can be discovered
A museum based on a clear and consistent philosophy
A museum where those seeking enjoyment can enjoy,
those seeking to ponder can ponder, and those seeking to feel can feel
A museum that makes you feel more enriched
when you leave than when you entered!

You can read more on it’s website which is linked below.

Entrance fee:

*TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED AND RESERVED IN ADVANCED. It may take up to a month to reserve tickets at time.

1000 Yen for 19&over, 700 yen 13-18 years old, 400 yen 7-12 years old, 100 yen 4-6 years old, free for 3 and under.

Photo Credit: Itinari

Address: 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013

Hours: Closed Tuesdays and New Years holiday, 10am - 6pm

*If Tuesday is a holiday then it is open and closed the next day

Tel: N/A

Website: http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/

How to get there: A 15 minute walk from the South Exit of the JR Mitaka Station on the Chuo Line. You can purchase a community bus ticket that runs from the station to the museum as well.

 

Nezu Kaichiro, a businessman in the early 1900s, passionately collected pre-modern Japanese and east Asian art. Upon his sudden death in 1940, the Nezu museum was built by his family to conserve and preserve his special art collection. The exhibition now has over 7000 pieces with seven being national treasures, 87 important cultural properties and 94 important art objects. The museum also features a cafe, a beautiful Japanese garden and a unique architectural layout all in one harmonious place.

Entrance fee: 1100 Yen for adults, 800 yen for high students and above

Address: 6 Chome-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

Hours: Closed Mondays and holidays, 10am - 5pm

*If Monday is a holiday then it is open and closed the next day

Tel: N/A

Website: http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from exit A5 of Omotesando Station on the Ginza, Hanzomon or Chiyoda metro lines.

 

This digital art museum is one of a kind exhibition that features a 10,000 square meter venue with over 500 computers and 400 projectors to make an immersive art experience. There are many different rooms and sections in this venue that seem “borderless” - as the name suggests, which features constant moving dynamic art. Due to it’s constant changing art, this museum never remains the same. Going into the museum twice or the same room twice will give you a new set of experiences. It’s a one of a kind museum that will mesmerize you!

Entrance fee: 3200 Yen for adults, 1000 Yen for children

Address: Odaiba Palette Town 2F, 1-3-8 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Hours: Weekdays, 10:00am - 7:00pm

Weekends and holidays, 10:00am - 9:00pm

Tel: N/A

Website: https://borderless.teamlab.art/

How to get there: A 3 minute walk from Aomi Station on the Yurikamome Line. A 5 minute walk from the Tokyo Teleport Station on the Rinkai Line.

Video credit to teamLAB

 

Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Take a stroll through this lavish, downtown district for luxury brand shopping, fine dining and traditional Japanese stores. Ginza, which also incorporates the Yurakucho area, is one of the busiest shopping districts in Tokyo. Home to many department stores such as the famous Mitsukoshi Department store which has been around since 1673 and the modern Ginza Six, you’ll find yourself looking at over hundreds of shops in this district alone.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Mitsukoshi Department store, Matsuya and Ginza Six

• The massive Tsukiji fish market nearby

• A walk down Chuo Dori

Photo Credit: Tsunagu Japan

How to get there

The Ginza Station can be accessed on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya, Ginza and Marunouchi Line.

 

Opening up in 1995, the Museum of Contemporary Art was built to preserve, display and study modern art. They have a primary focus on post-war Japanese art, but still encompass large works from abroad as well. Prior to the opening of this museum, there had been no official institution that inclusively dealt with the collection of contemporary art in Tokyo. Now, the museum has inherited over 3000 art pieces and over 50,000 rare book materials to be seen.

Entrance fee:

Changes depending on exhibition.

MOT collection: 500 yen for adults, 400 yen for students, 250 yen for high school students and seniors, free for junior high and under.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Address: 4 Chome-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0022

Hours: Closed Mondays and holidays, 10:00am - 6:00pm

*If Monday is a holiday then it is open and closed the next day

Tel: +81-3-5245-4111

Website: https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/en/

How to get there: A 9 minute walk from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station on the Hanzomon Line. Follow signs for exit B2.

 

Discover the Imperial families extensive collection of art with over thousands of works from various artists. Located right in the Imperial Palaces East Garden, you can see a variety of art styles such as calligraphy and Nihonga-style art from ancient Japan and China. This private collection was donated by the Imperial household in 1989 - the start of the Heisei era.

Entrance fee: free

Photo Credit: Chris Rowe blog

Address: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 〒100-0100

Hours: Closed Monday, Friday and holidays, 9:00am - 3:45pm

Tel: 03-3213-1111

Website: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sannomaru02.html

How to get there: The museum is located in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. It is closest via the Ote-mon Gate. From Otemachi Station it is about a 3 minute walk.

 

TOKYO TOURS | SHOPPING IN NIHONBASHI

Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Nihonbashi literally means Japan Bridge and gets its name from the bridge in the area that acted as a zero kilometre marker for Japans national highway since the 1600s. Considered to be the “center” of Japan, it acts as a financial district for Tokyo but is also rooted in rich history and tradition. Much of the shops in the area have been in business for over 300 years! This classy, high-end district is a unique place to shop for old-traditional goods and foods. Ask your guide on a Tokyo tours for more.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Mitsukoshi department store that has been around since 1673

• Coredo department store that holds many shops inside that’s been around for over 200-300 years.

• Bank of Japan and the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Join our Tokyo tours for a special day in Nihonbashi

How to get there

Nihonbashi can be accessed right from the Nihonbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Asakusa Line or directly outside the Mitsukoshi-mae Station on the Ginza Line.

 

TOKYO GUIDE TO SHOPPING: SHIBUYA

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most famous and popular destinations to visit. It proudly holds the Shibuya Crossing, Center Gai and Dogenzaka as popular tourist destinations. If Tokyo’s cities were a family, Omotesando and Aoyama would be the Dad and Mom, Harajuku the daughter and Shibuya the son. They all have similarities in being a fashion destination of Tokyo. This lively area is the youth soul of Tokyo. Shibuya would be your one stop destination to shop for anything ranging from fashion items, cosmetics, souvenirs, anime/manga goods, household products and much more.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• The Creative Life store Tokyu Hands and Loft

• Shibuya Scramble Square with over 200 shops/restaurants with a beautiful view on their viewing deck

• Shibuya Mega Don Quijote: one of the biggest, most popular discount stores

• Shibuya 109 that holds over 100 shops of the newest, trendiest fashion.

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

How to get there

Shibuya area is located directly outside the Shibuya Station. The Shibuya Station is connected with many lines such as the JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, Tokyu Toyoko and Den-En-Toshi Lines, Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hanzomon Lines and the Keio Inokashira Line.

 

Nishi-ku, Yokohama

Located on the waterfront in Yokohama, this modern shopping district has lots to see, eat and do. Developed in the 1980s, it was planned to become a central district for activities, commerce and tourism. The Minato Mirai line runs through this entire district with Minato Mirai Station being the center middle link. This area is filled with loads of places to shop such as the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse from the earl 1900s, the largest Chinatown in Japan and the massive Queens Square shopping complex. Aside from shopping, Minato Mirai offers night time illusions, a mini theme park, countless museums, boat rides and stunning bay side views.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Shopping areas such as Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Queens Square and Chinatown

• Unique museums which include the Cup Noodle Museum, Hikawa Maru floating museum, the Bluff Houses and the Maritime Museum

• Cosmo World to hop on the giant Ferris wheel for a spectacular view of the city

• The Landmark Tower for a view at the top and fine dining

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

How to get there

Minato Mirai Station is accessible on the Minato Mirai Line, just two stops from Yokohama Station. If you are coming in on the bullet train through Shin-Yokohama Station it’s just a short twenty minute ride on the Blue Line and Minato Mirai Line. Coming in from Tokyo you can get to Yokohama Station from Shibuya on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. From Shinjuku it’s about 20 minutes on the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line.