Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum, founded in 1872, is Japan’s oldest and largest museum and a cornerstone of cultural preservation in the country. Spread across six buildings in the scenic Ueno Park, the museum holds more than 120,000 objects, including 89 National Treasures and 648 Important Cultural Properties. The collection spans Japanese art from prehistoric Jomon pottery to samurai armor, ancient scrolls, ceramics, ukiyo-e prints, and Buddhist sculptures. The Honkan (Japanese Gallery) presents the grand sweep of Japanese art history across 24 rooms, while the Toyokan explores Asian art from China, Korea, and beyond. The Heiseikan houses Japanese archaeological finds, and the Hyokeikan showcases Western-style Meiji-era architecture. Temporary exhibitions frequently rotate through the museum’s calendar, attracting global interest with major loans from partner institutions. The museum also maintains the largest collection of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in the world. Visitors can explore the spacious grounds, including Japanese gardens that open seasonally. The museum shop and restaurant provide additional amenities. With guided tours available in English and a comprehensive online collection database, Tokyo National Museum offers an unrivaled window into Japan’s artistic and historical legacy, making it an essential first stop for anyone exploring Japanese culture.