Tokyo Museums

Tokyo, city of culture? If Tokyo museums are anything to go by, Tokyo should be up near the top of the world list of great cultural cities.

You'll find some of the most popular museums in Tokyo in this section of the site with a link to a fuller description including opening hours, location, and what's in store for you when you visit.

We've also included a couple of the lesser known museums in Tokyo for those of you who might fancy something a little different.

Tokyo History Museums

Edo Tokyo Museum - Nestling right behind the Tokyo sumo stadium where the Grand Sumo Tournament takes place is the Edo Tokyo Museum. Enter over the historic wooden Nihonbashi bridge and move from the early 1600s, the Edo period in Japan, to modern industrialized Tokyo.

There are life-size reproductions, artifacts on display, dioramas of classic scenes, as well as special shows and events.

Tokyo National Museum - This is an excellent choice of museum if you want to find out more about Asian history. There are permanent displays of Asian art, cultural exhibits, and archealogical artefacts as well as special exhibitions at regular intervals throughout the year.

Fukagawa Edo Museum - Of the many Tokyo museums, this is a small scale venture but charming in its own right. It consists of a reproduction Edo village that you can wander round while smelling and hearing the sounds from days gone by.

Just around the corner outside is a lovely Japanese garden where you can grab some lunch so it's a good day out full of Japanese culture.

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Tokyo Art Museums

National Museum of Modern Art - Like the Science Museum Tokyo, this building can be found at Kitanomaru-koen in Chiyoda-ku and it is home to the many forms of art belonging to the 20th Century in Japan.

National Museum of Western Art - Inside the galleries at this particular Tokyo museum, you will find the works of Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Miro and Pollock to name a few.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography - With themed exhibitions of various aspects related to life and living, there are often some very poignant photos on display here. If you're a photo fan their displays receive high acclaim.

Studio Ghibli - Tokyo museums have earned their reputation for being leaders in their field. Studio Ghibli, however, stands out even from such an elite crowd.

This is a place that has to be experienced. It has been designed to let you escape the realms of everyday life and transport you to... well that would be telling! This one needs to booked in advance, usually about a month's notice is required, so if you're coming to Tokyo plan ahead if you want to try it for yourself.

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Tokyo Science and Technology Museums

The Future Science Museum in Tokyo or Miraikan as its known in Japanese. As the name suggests, you'll find all things future here, including the infamous robot Asimo.

There are theaters to bring the future to life, demonstrations of scientific principles and some very cool displays that you can clamber around. This includes the inside of a space shuttle capsule where the astronauts live during a mission and a deep sea diving sub, all on the relative safety of land : )

National Science Museum - Explore all aspects of the natural science world at this muesum located in Ueno. Find out about habitats, the story of the dinasours and the evolution of life for starters.

Science Museum Tokyo - Located at Kitanomaru-koen in Chiyoda-ku this is a hands on science museum with plenty of interactive exhibits to try. Check out the sky cycle, find out about cryogenics or climb on board the flight simulator.

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Tokyo Sporting Museums

Japanese Sumo Wrestling Museum - Is located inside the Kokugikan, the sumo stadium in Tokyo. This is where the Grand Sumo Tournament that occur 3 times a year in Tokyo is held. If you get the chance, combine a visit to the museum with an afternoon watching the real thing inside the stadium.

Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum - Housing many memorabilia from the 1964 Olympics, if you're a fan of sport history, this is one to put on your agenda when you want a quieter afternoon and a break from the action of the city.

Toyota History Garage - Located at Odaiba, this is a fun way to break up an afternoon of shopping and other amusements. Wander round the classic cars dotted around this museum or if you're into more modern vehicles, see the Tokyo Mega Web next door.

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Tokyo Slightly Bizarre Museums

The Ramen Museum - Tokyo museums come in all shapes and sizes. This one is actually located in Yokohama, but if you are noodle buff and want to learn more about the types of ramen available in the different regions of Japan, this is the museum for you. In the basement you will find a food hall where you can choose the type of ramen you would like to try, all in a setting of times gone by.

Meguro Parasite Museum - Mmmm... what can I say? If you're into parasites...