Recommended Tokyo Museums

As one of the world’s great cities, you’d expect Tokyo to offer top-notch museums, and it doesn’t disappoint. Here’s an overview of Tokyo’s recommended museums to help you decide which to visit.

The List: Tokyo’s Recommended Museums

Tokyo is a high-tech city with a rich tradition and creative streak. This is all displayed in the dizzying, world-class museums in the city. From archeological treasures to cutting-edge science, we’ve listed the best below. Click on the place names to see our dedicated page about each institution.

If you’re looking for Tokyo art museums, please see our Recommended Tokyo Art Museums page.

Tokyo Museums

Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno-koen Park is Japan’s answer to the British Museum. With its vast collection of art and archaeological objects from Japan and beyond, it’s a treasure not to be missed when visiting Tokyo.

National Museum of Nature and Science

With its outstanding exhibits on animals, plants, humans, and technology, the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno will rekindle your love for and fascination with the world we inhabit.

Edo-Tokyo Museum

If you visit just one museum in Tokyo to learn about its past, make it the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku. Its interactive exhibits are comprehensive and illuminating, shedding light on life in Tokyo from its beginnings to the present day.

Tokyo Toy Museum

Travelling to Tokyo with young kids in tow doesn’t have to be hard: it’ll be child’s play for parents at the Tokyo Toy Museum.

Drum Museum

The Drum Museum in Asakusa is loud, interactive, pure percussive fun - you’re sure to leave on a festive note!

Tokyo Fire Museum

For a unique perspective on the history of Edo, visit the Tokyo Fire Museum in Shinjuku. Learning about the past, present, and future of firefighting will get you fired up for your travels in Tokyo.

Inokashira-koen Park and Ghibli Museum

A short trip west of Shinjuku, Inokashira-koen Park is popular with locals and travelers alike, especially those with children. In addition to the standard park fare, there is also a zoo, a museum, a shrine, and several food shacks to power you through the day, as Mario Leto explains in this family-friendly adventure.

Miraikan

Miraikan or “The Future Center” in Odaiba is an excellent science museum dedicated to the best of Japanese technology and cutting-edge research. It’s a great place to bring kids - especially if they’re aspiring to become the next robotics genius.

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine and the adjoining Yushukan Museum are at the heart of ongoing political controversy over the enshrinement of the souls of class A war criminals. However you feel about the war, there’s no doubt that it’s a fascinating and beautiful place to visit.

JCII Camera Museum

Are you a photography buff? Located in the Hanzomon area just west of the Imperial Palace, the JCII Camera Museum is a small but interesting destination for serious fans of cameras.

Shitamachi Museum

You can’t turn back time, but you can have a look at days gone by. The small but charming Shitamachi Museum in Ueno is the place to go for a glimpse of working-class Tokyo life between the 1860s and 1920s.

National Showa Memorial Museum

The National Showa Memorial Museum in Kudanshita, or Showa-kan for short, commemorates daily life in Japan during and after the Second World War. Pair with a visit to Yushukan in Yasukuni Shrine for contrasting views of nationalist policies during the war.

The Ad Museum Tokyo

This is one place where you’ll actually enjoy the ads. The Ad Museum Tokyo or ADMT in Shiodome takes you through a history of Japanese ads that’s as colorful as it is enlightening.

Museum of Yebisu Beer

For those who love their pints, an hour spent at the Museum of Yebisu Beer with a glass of beer is time well spent.

Musée Tomo

The Musée Tomo in Toranomon houses one of the finest collections of contemporary Japanese ceramics in the world. And, the museum is as elegant and tasteful as the pieces on display.

Kokugikan

There’s pretty much no reason to visit the Kokugikan Stadium in Ryogoku unless you’re watching a sumo match. But if you’re already at the Edo-Tokyo Museum next door, consider a very quick visit to the free sumo museum at the stadium.

Sony ExploraScience

Conveniently located inside the large Aqua City shopping complex, Sony ExploraScience in Odaiba is a good option for families with young kids to entertain.

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