Stroll at a leisurely pace and explore Tokyo’s art paradise: museums & exhibitions

Not only in Asia but also on the global map of art museums, Japan can be considered a major player. For travelers seeking to experience first-class exhibitions and museum spaces, Tokyo’s museums—with their impressive quantity and quality—are an outstanding option that also considers both travel time and budget.

Tokyo is home to several refreshing museums that host unique and imaginative exhibitions of various themes and concepts throughout the year, inviting artists and institutions from Japan and around the world. Among them, the National Art Center, Tokyo and the National Museum of Western Art are must-visit destinations for those passionate about art exhibitions. The former, designed by the renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa, features an undulating glass façade resembling waves, perfectly expressing the concept of coexistence with the surrounding forest. The museum showcases not only paintings and sculptures from ancient to modern times from around the world, but also extends its scope to contemporary art. As for the National Museum of Western Art, it was originally established to house over 300 works collected by Matsukata Kojiro, the president of the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Company, one of Japan’s leading entrepreneurs. Since its opening in 1959, the collection has grown to over 2,000 pieces—an astonishing number—and it remains Japan’s only national museum dedicated solely to Western art. Its current collection mainly focuses on artworks from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century, with the largest proportion being works by French artists. In addition to these two major museums, when visiting Tokyo, you may also want to include a trip to the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. This four-story museum displays a wide range of avant-garde and highly individualistic photography and video works, featuring not only Japanese artists but also many curated pieces from around the world. A special reminder: before visiting a museum, it’s best to check its closing days (usually Mondays), as opening hours may also vary during special exhibitions. For more information, you can visit the Japan Gallery Information Site. Article source: Fun with Tokyo Museums

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