On the landscaped grounds of Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum offers a complete look at arts, crafts, and objects from Japan. From ancient pottery dating back 5,000 years to a fascinating selection of samurai swords and armor, the exhibitions will help deepen your understanding of Japanese life through the ages. The museum makes a good complement to other Tokyo cultural activities, such as foodie tours and geisha performances.
The main gallery—known as the Honkan—houses the majority of the most interesting items, though the additional Horyuji Treasures gallery, devoted to Buddhist artifacts, is also well worth a visit. For a more detailed understanding of the items on display, you can book a private guided tour of the museum.
The Tokyo National Museum is located in Ueno Park, a 5-minute walk from Ueno station, which is served by the metro and JR train line. There is limited car parking available at the station.
The museum is busiest on weekends—so visit during the week for a quieter experience. It’s usually closed on Mondays as well as year-end holidays, but the weekly schedule changes when other holidays fall on a Monday, so check the website in advance. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Ueno Park is Tokyo’s "museum quarter," home to the National Museum, Museum of Nature and Science, Museum of Western Art, Ueno Zoo, and more. Apart from these cultural sights, the park itself is also worth exploring, offering a pretty lake and paths lined with cherry trees. It’s one of the most popular parks in Japan to visit during hanami, the cherry blossom festival in the spring.
