Tokyo 1 Day Art Lovers Itinerary

In Tokyo, art lovers are spoiled for choice: There are just so many good museums and galleries to choose from. This 1-Day Art Lovers Itinerary is the best way to see the four best museums in Tokyo without tiring yourself out.

[Nezu Museum with Japanese Garden]

Tokyo Art Lovers Itinerary Summary

• This itinerary includes the Tokyo National Museum (Ueno), the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum (Tokyo Station Area), the Nezu Museum (Harajuku/Aoyama), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Meguro).
• Base yourself somewhere central to save time (see Notes below).

Tokyo Art Lovers Full Itinerary

• 9:00am: Ueno — Tokyo National Museum
  Head up to Ueno and walk across the park to the Tokyo National Museum. Try to arrive right at 9:30am, when the museum opens, because it gets very crowded later on. This museum gives you a great overview of the major periods and categories in Japanese art.
• 10:30am: Tokyo Station Area — Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum
  Take the JR Yamanote Line south from Ueno to Tokyo Station. Walk south from the station to the superb Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum. Focusing on Western art, this museum is one of Tokyo’s great treasures.
• Noon: Tokyo Station Area — Lunch
  The area in and around Tokyo Station is crammed with restaurants. The Marunouchi Brick Square, just outside the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum (above) is a good place to eat and is slightly less crowded than places closer to the station at lunch hour. For more choices, see my Tokyo Station Area Places to Eat section.
• 1:30pm: Harajuku — Nezu Museum
  Take the Ginza subway line from Nijubashimae Station (very close to the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum) to Omotesando Station in Harajuku. From this station, it’s a short walk east to the wonderful Nezu Museum. The museum alone is well worth a visit, but the garden (admission is included with museum entry) is breathtaking — it’s probably my favorite place in all of Tokyo! Don’t miss it.
• 3:00pm: Meguro - Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
  Take the Chiyoda subway line one stop west to Meiji Jingumae (Harajuku) Station and switch to the JR Yamanote Line and ride it south three stops to Meguro. Exit and walk east for about 15 minutes to this seldom-visited Art Deco (by tourists at least) building which houses an every-changing schedule of fine exhibitions. Don’t miss the adjoining garden.

Notes:

• If you’re only going to be in the city for one day, you should try to base yourself in a central location so you don’t waste time moving around. I’d suggest Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza or the Tokyo Station area. For more on where to say, check out my Where to Stay in Tokyo page.
• If you’re tired or just want to sleep in, cut out Ueno and the National Museum and start at the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in the Tokyo Station Area. This allows for a much more relaxed pace during the day.
• Don’t try to do any more than this in one day in Tokyo — you’ll tire yourself out. If you want to relax, subtract one or two places from this itinerary. As usual, it’s better to enjoy a few places properly than to sprint through many places.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Tokyo map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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