Nezu Museum (Nezu Bijutsukan)
6 Chome-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Kanto, 107-0062
One of Tokyo’s top cultural attractions, the Nezu Museum is home to an impressive collection of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean art. Hundreds of works, including paintings, ceramics, and textiles, are displayed in the rooms of the museum—just a sample of the more than 7,000 item-strong collection, which is combed through for the museum’s rotating exhibitions.
The basics
The museum occupies a building designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. It houses the private collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art of Nezu Kaichirō. The collection includes seven National Treasures, 87 Important Cultural Properties, and 94 Important Art Objects, such as a pair of Edo period folding screens and Irises, by the 17th/18th-century artist, Ogata Kōrin. Although you can explore the museum independently, visits are often included in guided tours focused on Japanese art, architecture, and culture.
Things to know before you go
- Nezu Museum is a must-visit for those interested in Japanese cultural heritage.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in all areas of the museum, garden, and parking area.
- You must comply with all “Do Not Enter” signs and notices. Teahouses in the garden are only open to those taking part in a tea ceremony.
- There is a gift shop, which sells art books and reproductions, inside the museum.
How to get there
Nezu Museum is located in Tokyo’s central Minato district. It is an 8-minute walk from Omotesandō station on the Ginza, Hanzōmon, and Chiyoda subway lines and a 5-minute walk from Minami Aoyama 6-chōme bus stop on the Metropolitan Bus Shibu 88 that runs between Shibuya and Shinbashi Station.
When to get there
The museum is typically open from 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays through Sundays. It is closed on Mondays, unless a National Holiday falls on a Monday, in which case the museum is open on that Monday and closed on Tuesday. The museum also closes for exhibition installations (check the website ahead of your visit), and during the New Year's holiday period.
The Gardens
In addition to viewing the museum’s rich collection of artworks, visitors can explore the stone-paved paths of the well-manicured grounds outside the galleries, where teahouses, sculptures, and a glass-walled café, also designed by Kuma Kengo, round out the museum experience. The garden and café are only accessible to ticket holders.
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