The 8 Best Museums to Visit in Tokyo

A trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Ghibli Museum — for fans of the award-winning animation production studio, anyway. The museum is located beside Inokashira Park in Kichijoji, ones of the cities’ most beautiful locales. The only downside is that tickets must be purchased in advance. Buy tickets online through a third-party agent or at a Lawson convenience store kiosk. Open 10am to 6pm Wednesday to Monday.

21_21 Design Sight was created by award-winning architect Tadao Ando and legendary designer Issey Miyake. The museum is not only a place to display art, architecture, and design, but hosts workshops and events aimed at encouraging the public’s interest in art and design. 21_21 Design Sight is located inside the Tokyo Midtown Mall and is open 11am to 8pm Wednesday to Monday. Entry is 1,400 yen per adult and free for children.

Musée Tomo is a collection of modern Japanese ceramics. The wares are owned by Kikuchi Tomo, who used to show them off in America and Europe before finding a home for them in Tokyo. The extensive collection rotates every couple months. Open 11am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday, and admission fees vary depending on the exhibition.

One of Tokyo’s more well-known museums, the Mori Art Museum, houses the city’s finest collection of contemporary art. In addition to its rotating exhibits from local and international artists, entry includes access to the Tokyo City View and — weather permitting — the Sky Deck for unbeatable views of central Tokyo. Mori Art Museum is located inside the Roppongi Hills Mall complex.

The Advertising Museum Tokyo takes patrons through the past, present, and future of advertising in Japan. Their permanent exhibits feature the history of advertising from the Edo Period and beyond. There are also exhibits on important figures in the world of advertising, and a library of advertising and marketing materials. Temporary exhibits are curated by ad organizations and cover a variety of related topics. Find the Advertising Museum Tokyo inside the Caretta Shiodome Mall, from 11 AM to 6.30pm (4.30pm on Saturdays). Closed Sundays and Mondays. Entry is free.

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a lesson in Japanese history. The museum houses Edo-era replicas and a wealth of information on Tokyo’s humble beginnings to the present. There is both a permanent collection and space for special exhibitions. Open from 9.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday (7.30pm on Saturday). Admission: 600 yen per adult and free for children.

Exhibits at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography change regularly, and you only need to pay for the ones you want to see. Both local and international artists are spotlighted. The museum just reopened in August after a lengthy renovation period. Open from 10am to 6pm daily (8pm on Thursday and Friday). Closed Mondays.

The Tokyo Kite Museum displays traditional Japanese paper kites and takes up the fifth floor of the popular Taimeiken restaurant. Kites were a hobby of the former owner of Taimeiken, Shingo Modegi, who helped to establish the museum in his restaurant. Although the museum is small, it exhibits some 3,000 paper washi and bamboo-framed kites. Entry is 200 yen for adults; open 11am to 5pm daily and closed on Sundays.