People walking next to the entrance of the Honkan museum building that holds the Japanese Gallery in … [+]
Tokyo is an intoxicating swirl of culture and entertainment with something exciting to do or see around every corner and alleyway. It would be an understatement to say that narrowing down your itinerary on your first trip to the city is going to be difficult. That said—there are a handful of museums and galleries that should be on every first-timer’s itinerary when visiting Tokyo, especially if you like to spend your holiday getting lost observing artifacts and fine art.
The following museums and galleries offer a great overview of contemporary and historical Tokyo and greater Japan and will allow you to get a feel for the city and for Japanese culture past and future. Here are five of the best museums and galleries for first-timers in Tokyo:
Yayoi Kusama Museum
The Yayoi Kusama Museum is a must-see for contemporary art lovers, hands down. Dedicated to the work of the 90-year-old Japanese artist, the museum boasts the largest collection in the world. Note that tickets sell out extremely fast, and go on sale on the first of every month. It’s imperative that you book in advance.
teamLab Borderless
You’ve probably seen shots of the teamLab Borderless exhibit on viral Instagram videos, but the interactive digital 3-D museum is well worth visiting in real life—and not just for the social media pics. Expect moving art, hidden rooms, and innovative installations that will instantly transport you back to childhood.
The National Art Center
From Murakami to Cartier, The National Art Center in Roppongi highlights some of the best contemporary and classic art from around the world. One of Japan’s largest exhibition centers, here’s where to come for the best and most interactive art exhibits in the country.
Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum should be on every first-timer’s itinerary, whether or not you’re a fan of the animation studio already. The quirky museum was partially designed by director Hayao Miyazaki and the colorful exterior architecture and dense layers of greenery that surround the property are almost as impressive as the collection of artifacts on the inside.
Tokyo National Museum
You’ll want to give yourself the full day to explore the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. The museum is considered the oldest museum in all of Japan and features the most comprehensive collection of Japanese art in the world. The Tokyo National Museum also contains more than 100,000 different Japanese artifacts to explore and discover—but keep in mind that the museum is constantly designing different curations, which means every time you visit you’ll see something new.