Founded in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum has the longest history among any Japanese museums. The Museum features six galleries: Honkan, the main gallery showcasing Japanese art; Toyokan housing artifacts from Egypt to South East Asia; Hyokeikan and Heiseikan renovated in 2015; the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures; and the Kuroda Memorial Hall exhibiting paintings by Kuroda Seiki to the public for free.
Sights to see
Architecture Walks
Viewing the museum architectures is another way of enjoying the Tokyo National Museum. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, Honkan features a characteristic tiled roof, grand staircase and beautiful mosaic lounge walls.
Topped with green domes, Hyokeikan is another Important Cultural property.
A pair of “A-un” style lions (One lion opening its mouth to pronounce the sound “a” while the other closes it to represent the last Sanskrit syllable“ hum” ) siting at the entrance shows integration of Japanese elements into western style architecture. Also an Important Cultural Property, visitors can observe a distinctive architectural style of Edo period at the“ Kuromon” Black Gate which was relocated from the residence of feudal Ikeda family.
Archaeology Gallery
The Archaeology Gallery is filled with famous Dogu, Haniwa, and potteries found in Japanese school textbooks. The exhibition includes National Treasure“ Warrior in Keiko type armor”, Important Cultural Property“ Shakoki Dogu” figurine, National Treasure “ Ginzo-ganmei sword” with the oldest surviving inscriptions in silver inlay; and the Important Cultural Property “Dancing People” burial figures. The hands-on area added during 2015 renovation provides more interactive and comprehensive experience.
Admission fees
Adults: 620 (520) yen
University Students: 410 (310) yen
High/Junior High/Elementary School Students and persons under 18 and over 70: Free
* ( ) indicate prices for those in groups of 20 or more.
* Special exhibitions require a separate admission fee.
* Persons with disability and one person accompanying them are admitted free of charge.
* Regular admission is free for persons under 18 and over 70. Please show proof of age (driver’s license, passport, etc.) when entering.
* Group rates for regular exhibition apply to adults and students (up to two persons per child) accompanied by children (High school students and younger)
* Free admission to regular exhibitions on International Museum Day (May 18, for 2016), Respect for the Aged Day (the third Monday of September: September 19 for 2016).
* Payments by the following are accepted at ticket counters:
– Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, Diners, DISCOVER)
– e-cash (iD, Suica,WAON)
– UnionPay
Access
- (JR Line) 10 minutes from Ueno or Uguisudani Station
- (Ginza or Hibiya Tokyo Metro Line) 15 minutes from Ueno Station
- (Chiyoda Tokyo Metro Line) 15 minutes from Nezu Station
- (Keisei Line) 15 minutes from Keisei Ueno Station
* Visitor entrance is via the Main gate.
