Visiting Tokyo National Museum

About Tokyo National Museum

Japan's oldest and largest museum displays samurai armour and swords, Buddhist sculpture, ukiyo-e prints, kimono and national treasures across several buildings in Ueno Park. The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures, a minimalist building by Yoshio Taniguchi, holds 7th- and 8th-century Buddhist artefacts.

Tip: Start in the main Honkan building for an overview of Japanese art, then save the dimly lit Horyuji gallery for a quiet finish.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 2–3 hours.
• Cost: Low cost.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Ueno, museums, a big park and a busy market street.

Best time to visit Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo National Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:

• June: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• July: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
• September: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Tokyo has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Tokyo National Museum is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

• No. 9 of the 20 sights in our Tokyo things-to-do list.
• Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
• Day 7 of the 7-day plan.

Near Tokyo National Museum

Also in Ueno, so you can walk between them:

• Ueno Park — 2–3 hours, free

If you like Tokyo National Museum

• teamLab Planets — Toyosu, 1.5–2 hours
• Ghibli Museum — Mitaka, 2–3 hours
• Nezu Museum — Aoyama, 1.5 hours

Staying near Tokyo National Museum

Stay in Ueno ($$) to walk here: museums, a big park and a busy market street. All areas to stay in Tokyo.

Questions travellers ask