Museum of the Imperial Collections (The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo) — located in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, the Museum of the Imperial Collections boasts a collection of about 9,500 works of art and craft, including paintings and calligraphy, that have been passed down through successive generations […]
Museum of Contemporary Art (4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo) — The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, was opened in 1995 to systematically research, collect, preserve and display contemporary art that has been created both in Japan and overseas since 1945. The museum boasts three floors of galleries devoted to temporary exhibitions and two floors for […]
Mori Art Museum (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 53r, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) – this is one of Tokyo’s major art museums that feature both contemporary Japanese and other Asian art. This museum is located on the 52nd & 53rd floors of a skyscraper whose building (along with the museum) is named after real estate developer […]
Miraikan / National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation (2-3-6 Aomi, Koto, Tokyo) — the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) is a place where one can understand the things happening in our world today from a scientific point of view, and have discussions while considering the future that awaits us. In addition […]
Meiji Mura (1,Uchiyama, Inuyama-shi, Aichi Pref.) – a.k.a. “Meiji Village” and located 3 ½ hours southwest of Tokyo, this is one of Japan’s major open air museums, which showcases over 60 buildings from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). That era ended Japan’s feudal period, with its architecture borrowing influences from Western architectural styles. Given this museum’s […]
Kyoto International Manga Museum (Oike agaru, Karasuma-dori, Chukyo-ku, Kyoto) – located 3 ½ hours southwest of Tokyo, this museum was developed and opened through the deep understanding and active cooperation of local residents, as a joint project of Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University, the Kyoto International Manga Museum was established on the site of […]
Kanazawa Castle Park (1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa) – located 5 hours west of Tokyo, this is a popular site for those who wish to see historical areas of Japan. In 1583, Lord Maeda Toshiie, who was Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s first retainer, moved to Kanazawa. The Maeda family resided in Kanazawa Castle and governed the Kaga Clan (the […]
Japanese Sword Museum (4-25-10 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku Tokyo) — this museum filled with both history and art. It displays swords, sword mountings, armour and other sword related items. The museum has swords created by famous local craftsmen such as Nobuyoshi (Ryumon school), Kuniyuki (Rai School) and another Kuniyuki (from the Taima school). It also has swords […]
Ishiguro Samurai House (Kakunodate, Akita Perfecture) – located 3 ½ hours north of Tokyo, this historic residence was built in the early 19th century and has been the home of the Ishiguro family — retainers of the dominant Satake clan. Visitors are shown around the main rooms by a guide and can view the garden […]
Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara (Nara) – located about 4 hours southwest of Tokyo (at the one-time capital of Japan), the city of Nara boasts various historical sites, including five Buddhist temples, a palace, and a Shinto shrine. Todai-ji Temple, a major attraction at Nara, houses the “Great Buddha of Nara” – the world largest […]