HomeItinerariesToursBlogDay GuidesLocations
Cart
Trip To Japan
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

About Trip To Japan

Company

  • About Us
  • Careers
    New!
  • Blog
  • Travel Guide
  • All tours
  • All itineraries
  • Groups

Partners

  • Tour operator signup
  • Hotel signup
  • Creator signup
    New!

Contact us

+81 03-4578-2152

info@triptojapan.com

Address

Takanawa Travel K.K.,
Kitashinagawa 5-11-1
Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

Best Locations To Visit

FukuokaHakoneHiroshimaHokkaidoKawasakiKobeKyotoMiyajimaMt. FujiNaganoNagoyaNaoshimaNaraNaritaNikkoOkinawaOsakaTakayamaTokyoTsumagoSee All Locations
Ribbon illustration

License

Certified Travel License
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office: No.3-8367
Japan Travel

QualityTermsPrivacyCommerce Disclosure
© Takanawa Travel

Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo

Tokyo National Museum

4.5 (29810)Tourist AttractionArt MuseumMuseumPoint Of InterestEstablishment

The Tokyo National Museum stands as Japan's oldest and largest museum, established in 1872 during the Meiji era. Located in Ueno Park in Tokyo's Taito ward, the institution was founded to preserve and showcase Japanese art and antiquities during a period of rapid modernization. The museum complex comprises several buildings, with the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) serving as its main building, designed in the Imperial Crown Style and completed in 1938.

The museum houses an extraordinary collection of over 120,000 objects, including 87 National Treasures and 650 Important Cultural Properties. Its holdings span Japanese art, archaeology, and cultural artifacts from prehistoric times to the modern era, alongside significant collections of Asian art from China, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. The museum serves as the primary institution for understanding Japanese cultural heritage, displaying everything from ancient Buddhist sculptures and samurai armor to delicate ukiyo-e woodblock prints and tea ceremony utensils. The collection provides comprehensive insight into Japanese aesthetics, religious traditions, and historical development across millennia.

Visitors can explore six main exhibition buildings spread across the expansive grounds. The Honkan presents the core Japanese collection across 24 galleries on two floors, organized chronologically and thematically. The Toyokan (Asian Gallery) focuses on non-Japanese Asian art, while the Heiseikan hosts major temporary exhibitions and archaeological displays including important Jomon period artifacts. The Hyokeikan, a beautiful Western-style building from 1909, occasionally opens for special exhibitions. The museum's garden, accessible during spring and autumn, features traditional tea houses and offers a peaceful retreat. Most exhibitions rotate regularly to preserve delicate objects and provide variety for repeat visitors.

The museum is located a short walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) and Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya lines. Regular admission to the main collections costs ¥1,000 for adults, with additional fees for special exhibitions. The museum offers combined tickets that provide better value when multiple exhibitions are showing. Visitors should allow at least two to three hours to explore the main galleries, though enthusiasts could easily spend an entire day examining the extensive collections.


Hours
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone
+81 50-5541-8600
Website
www.tnm.jp


The area

Address
13-9 Uenokōen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712, Japan

Hours

Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone

+81 50-5541-8600

Website

www.tnm.jp

What other travelers are saying about Tokyo National Museum

An excellent museum. We got there at opening hours and stayed until we had to leave for a reservation and still had so much we could have looked at. (Caveat: we lost like 2 hours that could have been used at exhibits with special New Years performances of sword dances, Taiko drums and a lion dance plus lunch. Still, the museum was huge). Very well organized and easy to navigate. We’re definitely going back whenever we’re back in Japan

Nearby attractions to see

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

Otaguro Park

Otaguro Park

Solso Park, Tokyo

Solso Park, Tokyo

Nearby attractions to see

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

Otaguro Park

Otaguro Park

Solso Park, Tokyo

Solso Park, Tokyo


Frequently Asked Questions

The Tokyo National Museum is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday, with last entry at 4:30 PM. The museum extends its hours until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with last entry at 8:30 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), during the New Year holiday period from December 26 to January 1, and occasionally for exhibition changes. It's advisable to check the official website before visiting as special exhibitions may affect regular hours.

Photography is generally permitted in most areas of the Tokyo National Museum for personal use only, but flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited. However, certain special exhibitions and specific objects may have photography restrictions clearly marked with signs. Items designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties sometimes prohibit photography to preserve their condition. Video recording is not allowed throughout the museum. Always look for signage in each gallery and respect any restrictions to help protect these valuable cultural artifacts.

Yes, the Tokyo National Museum provides comprehensive English support for international visitors. English audio guides are available for rent at ¥550 and cover highlights from the main Japanese Gallery collection. Most gallery labels and explanations include English translations alongside Japanese text. The museum also offers a free smartphone app with English audio commentary and gallery information. English-speaking staff members are available at the information desk, and free guided tours in English are occasionally offered by volunteer guides, though schedules vary and should be confirmed in advance.

Most visitors should allocate 2 to 3 hours to see the highlights of the main Honkan (Japanese Gallery) and explore one or two additional buildings. Art enthusiasts or those with particular interest in Japanese culture may want to dedicate 4 to 6 hours or even a full day to thoroughly explore all six buildings and special exhibitions. If you're short on time, focus on the Honkan's second floor, which displays the museum's most significant treasures including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The museum can be overwhelming due to its size, so planning your visit around specific interests helps maximize your experience.

The museum offers several dining options within its grounds. Hoteiya, a traditional Japanese restaurant, serves seasonal Japanese cuisine in an elegant setting and requires advance reservations for lunch. The Museum Garden Café operates during spring and autumn when the garden is open, offering light meals and refreshments. For more casual dining, there's a café in the Honkan serving coffee, tea, and light snacks. Additionally, the Museum Shop & Café near the Heiseikan provides beverages and simple food items. Outside the museum, Ueno Park has numerous restaurants and cafés, and the surrounding Ueno neighborhood offers extensive dining options for all budgets.
  1. Home
  2. Places
  3. Tokyo
  4. Tokyo National Museum
Profile
Jere Pilapil
Jan 3, 2026
For the serious history enthusiast, do plan a couple of days for the complete immersive experience. We only have 1/2 a day and reluctantly leave not able to complete all the exhibition halls. The museum always have special exhibits and hence always have something new to look forward to
Profile
Chee Wan Lim
Feb 1, 2026
Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館) is an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese culture, history, and visual arts. Located in the peaceful setting of Ueno Park, the museum offers a perfectly balanced experience that feels both grand and calming, making it easy to spend several hours exploring without feeling overwhelmed. The permanent collections are exceptional, showcasing samurai armor, ancient ceramics, delicate textiles, Buddhist sculptures, calligraphy, and exquisite screens and scrolls. Each gallery is thoughtfully curated, allowing visitors to clearly follow the evolution of Japanese aesthetics from prehistoric times to the Edo period. The Honkan (Japanese Gallery) alone is worth the visit, offering an immersive journey through centuries of craftsmanship and artistic refinement. Temporary exhibitions are consistently high-level, often featuring rare national treasures and important cultural properties. For photographers, the museum is a quiet source of inspiration. While photography rules vary by gallery, the architecture, garden, and exterior details offer beautiful compositions, subtle light, and refined lines. The traditional Japanese garden is especially photogenic and provides a peaceful break between exhibitions. Refined, educational, and deeply inspiring, Tokyo National Museum is not just a museum—it is a gateway to understanding Japan’s cultural soul. Whether it’s your first visit to Tokyo or your tenth, this museum remains a timeless highlight.
Profile
Paul Parent
Jan 1, 2026
Massive place and experience, but a must see if you are visiting Tokyo. It truly gives you an understanding of the Japanese culture from a foundational point of view. The amount of religious, cultural, sartorial relics on display is jaw-dropping and gorgeous. The museum is vast and can easily take up an entire day. Ueno park is also very pretty to tour along once you are finished. If you want a deeper dive, check out my travel videos on my YouTube Page: @thewholetraveler (see Japan Playlist: Tokyo Part 1)
Profile
The Whole Traveler
Jan 6, 2026
TRULY EXCEPTIONAL! This museum is a great introduction to Japanese culture, archaeology, history, art, and much more. Almost every sign has English translation. Each of the three floors is packed with interesting and unique items that help to tell the story of Japan. From samurai armor to ceramics, this museum’s collection has enough to keep any visitor busy for hours.
Profile
LS Sheldon
Jan 8, 2026