Best Unique Museums in Tokyo

Tokyo is home to some of the most wonderful and whimsical museums globally. With so many from which to pick, it can be difficult to know which to visit during your vacation or stay.

I’ve detailed below the most unique and interesting museums that took my breath away when I visited the Japanese capital. I hope you enjoy the list!

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum

The name “Taro Okamoto” is not the most well-known outside of the Japan, but his work really is worthy of checking out! Although there isn’t much English text written, the art itself transcends language barriers.

When you visit the museum in Tokyo, expect to see pieces that are avant-garde, make use of elaborate colours, and are very surrealist or abstract. Many of the works Okamoto created were done before and after World War II, and feature a lot of interesting and moving symbolism.

Okamoto moved to Paris at the early age of 18, where he enrolled in the Panthéon-Sorbonne University (the sister university of where I studied). Unlike many other Japanese artists living in Paris at the time, Okamoto was determined to integrate into the Parisian society to get the most out of his experience.

Due to his varied education and the tumultuous events taking place during his periods of creation, it’s safe to say that Okamoto’s art is very unique. If you enjoy art and history, make a trip over to this small but well-packed museum. It’s certainly a feast for the eyes!

Location:
6 Chome-1-19 Minamiaoyama

MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM - TeamLab Borderless

Explore, discover, and dream as you release your inner child at this phenomenal museum in Odaiba.

The teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum is, without a doubt, one of my top 5 favourite museums in the world. It’s not a traditional museum - it’s an entire experience that stimulates ‎all the senses.

The museum itself is set up in a way that makes it’s difficult to know where to wander next, and that’s the point. You’re constantly bombarded with new and unique sights and sounds, ensuring that each “room” brings about something new to discover.

Nezu Museum

Note: There is no photography allowed inside of the museum itself. Any photos taken inside of the museum are not mine. They are from Nezu Museum’s official Twitter page (https://twitter.com/nezumuseum). I have indicated which photos are not mine in the captions below.

Located in the Minato district, The Nezu Museum showcases the late Nezu Kaichiro’s private collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art and artifacts. There are impressive calligraphy, tea ceremony paraphernalia, textiles, sculptures, and paintings on display.

The collection luckily survived the bombings to the property in May 1945, and is now on display for curious travellers to Tokyo.

On top of being a stimulating and fascinating look at Japanese and East Asian art, the museum also has a magnificent garden. This is by far one of my favourite gardens in Tokyo, and the ground are well-tended. There is even some artwork throughout, and a peaceful stream to discover.

If you love traditional East Asian art, this is really a fantastic museum to visit.

Edo-tokyo Museum

For a fascinating look at Japan in the Edo period, head on over to the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

This immersive museum is a large-scale exhibit that houses full-sized examples of Edo-period houses, festival floats, and temples inside, along with art pieces and artifacts.

Everything is well laid out, and it’s easy to navigate. There is even a section dedicated to post-Edo inventions, and I personally found I easily spent a day in the museum.

If the history of Japan intrigues you, do make time to see this museum. The descriptions are also very well done, and are offered in a variety of languages. Great!