Japan as a nation offers a diverse culture and traditional legacy alongside the summits of contemporary development. This is the flawless blend which any voyager will discover interesting to investigate. Alongside the numerous mainstream visitor locations, the nation has various galleries which will give you a detour of the Japanese culture, craftsmanship, science, customs, and innovation from time immemorial till the present day. The galleries in Japan have something of interest for everybody.
10 Exceptional Japanese Museums
Here is a concise compilation of the top-notch museums in Japan that you should visit to gain insight into the country’s rich and captivating history and culture:
1. Tokyo National Museum
In the list of the art museum in Japan Tokyo, this one tops the chart being the largest and oldest as well. It houses some important artifacts and archaeological things that hold immense historical significance from all the areas of Asia continent with the primary focus on Japan. The museum was opened in the year 1872. The museum is divided into five buildings which house different sets of exhibits. The collection is mainly related to traditional and ancient Japanese artworks and also some of them also have an Asian connection featuring the Silk Route area.
Location: TokyoHours: 9:30 AM – 5 PM (till 8 PM on Fridays and weekends) | Closed on MondaysAdmission Fees: INR 375
2. Edo Tokyo Museum
One of the most well-liked museums in Tokyo, Japan, this establishment was founded in the year 1993. The location is designed to exhibit the life and times of the city’s ancient civilization, starting from the days of its foundation in the 1600s up until the present day. The museum includes a permanent exhibition area on the 5th and 6th floors, which house objects depicting the culture, history, and lifestyle of Tokyo city. Edo, a region that still exists in Tokyo, was established about 400 years ago by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The museum features life-size models of past architectural marvels, the tools utilized by Edo residents, the fashion and style of that era, and many other captivating innovations and trends that influenced the rest of the world. The museum is certain to be a source of delight for all.
Location: TokyoHours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday | Open until 7:30 PM on SaturdaysAdmission: INR 400
3. Ghibli Museum
Ghibli Museum is one of the renowned art museums in Tokyo, Japan. It houses the animation works of the Japanese animation studio named accordingly. The place incorporates a technology center, an art museum, and a special section dedicated to children. Inside, there are numerous artworks that relate to the globally popular movies produced by the studio. A replica model of the ‘Catbus’ from the 1988 animated film My neighbor Totoro and a Jumping Totoro with all the main characters from this movie are among the main attractions, along with many others. The entire museum building itself is constructed with a distinctive design and concept. The place looks as if it’s straight out of a fairy tale and is definitely worth visiting to spend some leisurely time and create cherished memories.
Location: Mitaka, TokyoHours: 10 AM – 4 PM; Closed on TuesdaysAdmission: INR 625 for adults; INR 435 for ages 13 to 18; INR 250 for ages 7 to 12; INR 63 for ages 4 to 6
4. Hakone Open Air Museum
The inaugural open-air museum in Japan, this place is renowned for its compilation of art pieces, paintings, and sculptures of globally recognized artists amidst the stunning mountains and valleys of Hakone. Located in the Ashigarashimo region, this museum has everything for an art enthusiast. The highlight of the displays is a distinct section showcasing numerous paintings, sculptures, and murals by Picasso. Some of the notable pieces that can be enjoyed here include Symphonic structure, Woods of Net, and La Pleureuse. The fascinating aspect is that visitors can actually enter most of these remarkable creations and be amazed by the marvelous ingenuity and craftsmanship of the artists.
Location: Kanagawa Prefecture, AshigarashimoTimings: 9 AM – 5 PMEntry Fees: INR 1000
5. Nezu Museum
Another renowned museum in Tokyo, Japan is Nezu Museum, which displays the works of artist Nezu Koichiro. The artist is globally celebrated for his expertise in East Asian art and ancient Japanese artwork. The current structure, which underwent renovations in 2009, now proudly exhibits over 7000 artworks, including some National treasures. Another must-see is its expansive and picturesque Japanese-style garden.
Location: Minato, TokyoTimings: 10 AM – 5 PM; Mondays closedEntry Fees: INR 625
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6. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Following the calamity that befell Hiroshima in August 1945 and devastated its existence, this museum was initiated through a collective endeavor organized by the residents of Hiroshima who all united and assisted in assembling the materials pertaining to remnants of the bomb explosion, personal possessions of the victims of the explosion, and some exceptional photographs. The museum, situated inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, has gone through a gradual transformation and refurbishment throughout the years, and this place will transport you to the horrors of the past, evoke the pain and loss experienced by the victims, and once again reinforce the significance of peace over warfare.
Location: HiroshimaOperating Hours: 8:30 AM – 6 PMAdmission Fees: INR 130 for adults; INR 63 for students
7. Kyoto Railway Museum
This is a railway museum in Japan, situated in Kyoto. It was established in 1972 under the name Umekoji Steam locomotive Museum, but quite recently in 2016, it reopened with a contemporary appearance and a new designation as well. The exhibition areas are divided into five segments. The primary attraction here is a roundhouse dating back to the year 1914 and is believed to be the oldest concrete car shed in the country. Spend a day surrounded by various types of railway locomotives and carriages, ranging from the steam-operated ones to the modern-day electric ones. There is also a section exclusively dedicated to Bullet trains.
Location: Kankijicho, KyotoOperating Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PMAdmission Fees: INR 750 for adults; discounted rates for students up to High School level.
8. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
If you are interested in learning about our companions from the Mesozoic Era, then this destination is a must-see. This is one of the most renowned museums in the Asian continent, which houses all the captivating information and specimens of dinosaurs, and it is situated at Katsuyama in Fukui territory of Japan. The exhibitions comprise extraordinary, conserved fossils that belong to the era when life began on Earth. One level is dedicated to the development of life on our planet from its earliest stages until the present time. It is absolutely worth spending a day here to explore and gain knowledge about our planet’s natural history.
Location: Katsuyama, FukuiTimings: 9 AM – 5 PMEntry Fees: INR 500 for grownups; INR 375 for students
9. Toyota Automobile Museum
Amongst one of its kind car museums in Japan, this one is a delight for all car enthusiasts. Established in the year 1989, in Nagakute, to commemorate the golden jubilee of Toyota Motors, there are approximately 140 different models of cars. After a recent renovation that was completed in 2017, the museum now also exhibits famous automobiles from foreign countries. The museum was designed to raise public awareness about the history, development, and modernization of the automotive industry.
Location: Nagakute, Aichi PrefectureTimings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM; closed on MondaysEntry Fees: INR 315
10. Meguro Parasitological Museum
If you are an individual who possesses curiosity in all the eerie creatures on the Earth and desire to acquire more knowledge about them, then Meguro Parasitological Museum is the place for you. This can be referred to as one of the peculiar museums in Japan, situated in Meguro in the central part of Tokyo. This place is completely dedicated to diverse kinds of parasites and the science behind their existence. Established in 1953, the museum underwent a transformation in the year 1993 and now showcases a research center which possesses over 60000 specimens of these creatures for educational purposes. The highlight of the exhibit is a 29 ft long tapeworm which was actually discovered inside an individual’s stomach and he supposedly acquired it from a meal of trout sushi.
Location: Shimomeguro, Meguro, TokyoHours: 10 AM – 5 PM; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
With such a wide array of options for museums in Japan, you might feel overwhelmed with the choices and deciding which ones to visit. However, we can assure you that they will provide an immensely enriching experience, regardless of which one you choose! Simply take a trip to Japan, sit back and relax, and make the most of your holidays.
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