The 10 Best Museums in Tokyo (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 10 picks

The best museums in Tokyo in 2026 are the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi, the Nezu Museum in Aoyama and the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku. Book the Ghibli Museum in advance, because admission is by advance reservation only, and check each museum's closed day, since many close on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Tokyo's museums are clustered, so you can plan by area. Ueno Park holds the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art, Roppongi has the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center and 21_21 Design Sight, and Ryogoku has the Edo-Tokyo Museum and, nearby, the Sumida Hokusai Museum.

Closed days vary: the National Museum of Western Art closes on Mondays, while the National Art Center and 21_21 Design Sight close on Tuesdays. For a view after a museum visit, see our best observation decks in Tokyo, and for more to do in the neighborhoods, the best things to do in Tokyo.

1. Tokyo National Museum — Ueno

Japan's largest museum of Japanese art, in several buildings in Ueno Park.

¥¥Best for Families · Couples · Solo

The Tokyo National Museum is in Ueno Park and houses collection exhibitions across several buildings, including the Honkan (Japanese Gallery), Heiseikan and the Toyokan (Asian Gallery). Special exhibitions run alongside the collection. In autumn 2026 these include a Hiroshige show in the Honkan and a Daitokuji temple exhibition in the Heiseikan.

The collection and special exhibitions are open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last admission 30 minutes before closing, according to the museum's site.

Good to know: Pick one building or two rather than trying to see everything; note that Honkan Room 4 is closed from October 26, 2026, to April 25, 2027.

13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712

Google Maps Website

2. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka — Mitaka

The Studio Ghibli museum, admission by advance reservation only.

¥¥Best for Families · Couples

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is a museum of Studio Ghibli's world of animation, and a favorite for families and fans of the films. All admission is by advance reservation only, through the ticket calendar on the museum's official site.

It is in Inokashira Park's neighborhood on Tokyo's western side, a short trip from Kichijoji.

Good to know: Reserve through the official ticket calendar before you travel; no tickets are sold on arrival.

1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013

Google Maps Website

3. Mori Art Museum — Roppongi Hills

Contemporary art at the top of Mori Tower, open late.

¥¥Best for Couples · Solo

The Mori Art Museum is a contemporary art museum in Roppongi Hills' Mori Tower. Its current shows include Mariko Mori: All That Shines (October 31, 2026 to March 28, 2027), which is paired with Tokyo City View on a combined ticket.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., but only until 5 p.m. on Tuesdays; last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Good to know: Buy the combined ticket with Tokyo City View if you want both, and note the early Tuesday closing.

Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-6150

Google Maps Website

4. National Museum of Western Art — Ueno

Western art in Ueno Park, open to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

¥¥Best for Couples · Solo

The National Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park shows a permanent collection and special exhibitions. Through February 21, 2027 it is showing Turner: Painting the Sublime, in Dialogue with Contemporary Art.

Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with later hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Good to know: Closed Mondays and December 28 to January 1; if a Monday is a national holiday, it opens that day and closes the next.

7-7 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007

Google Maps Website

5. Nezu Museum — Minami-Aoyama

Japanese and East Asian art, with a garden reserved for ticket holders.

¥¥Best for Couples · Solo

The Nezu Museum in Minami-Aoyama is known for its collection of Japanese and East Asian art, including works such as Irises and Quail, and for its garden. The garden, shop and cafe are restricted to visitors with museum admission.

Tickets are sold through the museum's online ticketing site.

Good to know: Check the official site for the current exhibition and for opening hours and closed days.

6-5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

Google Maps Website

6. Edo-Tokyo Museum — Ryogoku

The history of Tokyo from the Edo period, reopened after renovation.

¥¥Best for Families · Couples

The Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku covers the history of Tokyo from Edo to the present day through its permanent exhibition. It reopened after renovation, and its site shows it open with hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

It is near Ryogoku Station and the sumo district.

Good to know: The site lists regular closed days on its Hours page; check before you go.

1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015

Google Maps Website

7. Sumida Hokusai Museum — Kamezawa

A museum dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, in his home district of Sumida.

¥¥Best for Couples · Solo

The Sumida Hokusai Museum is dedicated to the ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai and his life, with a floor guide, an education room and exhibitions about his work. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m.

It is close to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, so the two combine well in one day.

Good to know: Tickets are available through the museum's linked ticket site; see the Plan Your Visit page for closed days.

2-7-2 Kamezawa, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0014

Google Maps Website

8. The National Art Center, Tokyo — Roppongi

A large exhibition hall for major shows, closed on Tuesdays.

¥¥Best for Couples · Families

The National Art Center, Tokyo in Roppongi hosts large special exhibitions. This autumn it shows Masterpieces of the Renaissance from the Musée du Louvre (through December 13, 2026) and Shojo Manga Infinity (October 28, 2026 to February 8, 2027).

It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission 30 minutes before closing.

Good to know: Closed on Tuesdays (open on a Tuesday national holiday and closed the next working day).

7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-8558

Google Maps Website

9. 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT — Roppongi (Tokyo Midtown)

A design museum in Tokyo Midtown with changing exhibitions.

¥¥Best for Couples · Solo

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT is a design museum in the Tokyo Midtown complex. It is currently showing Learning from Hojoki: Tiny Architecture Reweaves Life (through January 11, 2027).

It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with entrance until 6:30 p.m.

Good to know: Closed on Tuesdays and December 27 to January 3, and temporarily from November 21 to 23, 2026, according to its site.

9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052

Google Maps Website

10. Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo — Kiba

A large contemporary art museum in Kiba, with collection and special shows.

¥¥Best for Couples · Solo

The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) in Kiba shows contemporary art and runs an ongoing MOT Collection display. This autumn it hosts Tada-Minami (through December 6, 2026) and Synchronic Constellation (through December 13, 2026).

Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Good to know: The site lists closed days on its Opening Times & Admission page; check before you go.

4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0022

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best museum in Tokyo?

The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park is the largest and the best for a first visit, with Japanese art and archaeological collections across several buildings. For contemporary art, the Mori Art Museum is the pick, and for a museum experience unlike any other, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.

Do I need to book the Ghibli Museum in advance?

Yes. Admission to the Ghibli Museum is by advance reservation only, and tickets are issued through the official site's ticket calendar. Do not plan to buy tickets on arrival.

Which Tokyo museums are open late?

The Mori Art Museum is open until 10 p.m. on most days and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. The Tokyo National Museum currently lists hours of 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for its collection and special exhibitions, and the National Museum of Western Art stays open to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Which Tokyo museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays?

The National Museum of Western Art in Ueno closes on Mondays, while the National Art Center Tokyo and 21_21 Design Sight close on Tuesdays. The Mori Art Museum closes early, at 5 p.m., on Tuesdays. Check each museum's calendar before you go.

Are there museums worth visiting on a rainy day?

Yes. Ueno Park has several in one place, and Roppongi's museums are connected by short walks. The Mori Art Museum pairs with the Tokyo City View deck in the same building.

Can you visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum now?

Yes. The Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku is open after its renovation and lists hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the day. Check the official hours page for regular closed days.

1. Tokyo National Museum — Ueno

2. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka — Mitaka

3. Mori Art Museum — Roppongi Hills

4. National Museum of Western Art — Ueno

5. Nezu Museum — Minami-Aoyama

6. Edo-Tokyo Museum — Ryogoku

7. Sumida Hokusai Museum — Kamezawa

8. The National Art Center, Tokyo — Roppongi

9. 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT — Roppongi (Tokyo Midtown)

10. Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo — Kiba

Frequently asked questions

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