Top Museums to Visit in Tokyo 2026: Your Complete Guide by Interest

Tokyo is home to some of the most diverse and fascinating museums in the world. From centuries-old Japanese art to cutting-edge digital installations, a museum in Tokyo offers far more than just quiet galleries. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore deeper, this guide highlights the best museums in Tokyo to add to your itinerary, organized by interest to help you plan smarter.

For Traditional Japanese Art & History

If you want to understand Japan’s roots, its samurai past, Buddhist heritage, and classical aesthetics start with these museums in Tokyo.

Tokyo National Museum

Located in Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest and largest museum, and an essential stop for understanding Japanese history. Its vast collection includes samurai armor, Buddhist sculptures, ceramics, calligraphy, and multiple National Treasures. The museum’s spacious grounds and well-curated galleries make it approachable even for first-time visitors.

• Opening hours: 9:30AM–5 PM (Tue-Sun)
• Fee: 1,000yen (Adult) 500yen (Student)
• Location: Google map
• Website

Nezu Museum

The Nezu Museum focuses on pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, including paintings, tea ceremony utensils, and archaeological artifacts. What truly sets it apart is its serene traditional garden, which feels worlds away from central Tokyo. It’s an ideal museum for visitors interested in aesthetics, architecture, and quiet reflection.

• Opening hours: 10AM–5 PM (Tue-Sun)
• Fee: 1,300yen (Adult) 1,000yen (Student)
• Location: Google map
• Website

For Modern & Contemporary Art

If you’re drawn to bold architecture, global art trends, and innovative exhibitions, these modern art museums in Tokyo are perfect anchors for your trip.

Mori Art Museum

Sitting atop Roppongi Hills, the Mori Art Museum combines contemporary art with panoramic city views. Its exhibitions often explore global social themes, architecture, and new artistic movements. Many visitors pair their visit with the observation deck, making it one of the most dynamic modern art museums in Tokyo.

• Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM (Daily)
• Fee: 1,600yen (Adult) 1,100yen (Student) 600yen (Children)
• Location: Google map
• Website

The National Art Center, Tokyo

Known for its dramatic wave-like architecture, The National Art Center, Tokyo does not have a permanent collection. Instead, it hosts rotating exhibitions covering painting, sculpture, photography, and international art trends. The open interior and café spaces make it one of the most visually impressive museums in Tokyo.

• Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM (Mon-Thu) / 10AM – 8PM (Fri-Sun)
• Fee: 2,300yen (Adult) 1,500yen (College students), 900yen (High School Student)
• Location: Google map
• Website

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

Founded by fashion designer Issey Miyake, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT explores design as part of everyday life. Exhibitions focus on innovation, materials, and how design shapes society. It’s especially appealing for visitors interested in fashion, product design, and Japanese creativity.

• Opening hours: 10AM – 7PM (Mon, Wed-Sun)
• Fee: 1,600yen (Adult) 800yen (College students), 500yen (High School Student)
• Location:
• Website

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Located in Ueno Park, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is Japan’s first public art museum, established in 1926 as a gateway to both Japanese and international art. Today it’s known for its rich schedule of special exhibitions and public shows, from modern masters and contemporary Japanese artists to calligraphy and student works, all housed in a striking modernist building designed by Kunio Maekawa.

• Opening hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM (Daily)
• Fee: free
• Location: Google map
• Website

For Immersive Digital Experiences

If you love interactive, Instagram ready spaces where you’re part of the art, Tokyo’s digital museums are a must.

teamLab Borderless / teamLab Planets

Few museums in Tokyo are as globally recognized as teamLab’s digital art spaces. These immersive museums blend light, sound, and motion to create interactive environments where visitors become part of the artwork. Locations and formats may change, so it’s best to check current details before visiting in 2026, as teamLab periodically updates or relocates its large-scale installations.

• Opening hours: 8:30AM – 10PM
• Fee: 3,600yen ~ 5,600yen
• Location: teamLab Borderless (Google map) / teamLab Planets (Google map)
• Website

For Science & Nature

Curious minds, families, and anyone who loves dinosaurs, space, or technology will find plenty to explore in these museums in Tokyo.

National Museum of Nature and Science

Also located in Ueno Park, the National Museum of Nature and Science offers comprehensive exhibits on biology, evolution, geology, space, and technology. Its dinosaur skeletons and hands-on displays make it popular with families, while adults appreciate its depth and educational clarity.

• Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (Tue-Sun)
• Fee: 630yen (Adult/College student) Free (High school students & younger)
• Location: Google map
• Website

Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation)

Miraikan focuses on the future, covering robotics, AI, space exploration, and environmental science. Interactive exhibits and live demonstrations make complex topics accessible. It’s one of the most engaging science museums in Tokyo for visitors curious about where technology is headed.

• Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM (Daily)
• Fee: 630yen (Adult) 210yen (18 & under) Free (Preschool children)
• Location: Google map
• Website

For History & Culture

To understand how Tokyo evolved from a samurai capital to a hyper-modern metropolis, these museums provide invaluable context.

Edo-Tokyo Museum

The Edo-Tokyo Museum presents Tokyo’s transformation from a samurai city to a modern metropolis. Large-scale reconstructions, historical artifacts, and immersive displays help visitors visualize daily life across different eras. It’s especially useful for understanding how Tokyo became the city it is today.

• Opening hours: Temporarily Closed (Scheduled to Re-open on Tuesday, March 31, 2026)
• Fee: Free
• Location: Google map
• Website

Fukagawa Edo Museum

Smaller but highly detailed, the Fukagawa Edo Museum features a life-sized recreation of an Edo-period neighborhood. Guides and seasonal changes add realism, making it one of the most engaging cultural museums in Tokyo for history lovers.

• Opening hours: 9:30AM – 5PM (Daily)
• Fee: 400yen (Adult) 50yen (High school students & younger)
• Location: Google map
• Website

For Photography

If visual storytelling and powerful images catch your eye, Tokyo’s dedicated photography museum is a must-see.

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (TOP Museum)

The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, often called TOP Museum, is dedicated entirely to photography and moving images. Exhibitions range from classic Japanese photographers to international contemporary artists. It’s a must-visit museum in Tokyo for anyone interested in visual storytelling.

• Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM (Tue-Sun)
• Fee: 700yen (Adult) 560yen (College student) 350yen (Seniors/High school students & younger)
• Location: Google map
• Website

For Anime & Fantasy Fans

Fans of Japanese animation, fantasy worlds, and cinematic magic will find some of the most memorable experiences here.

Ghibli Museum

Located in Mitaka, the Ghibli Museum is a dream destination for Studio Ghibli fans. The museum showcases original sketches, animation techniques, and exclusive short films. Tickets must be reserved in advance, but the experience is one of the most memorable museum-style visits in Tokyo, especially for those who grew up with films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.

• Opening hours: 10AM – 6pm (Mon, Wed-Sun)
• Fee: 1,00yen (Over 19) 700yen (13-18) 400yen (7-12) 100yen (4-6)
• Location: Google map
• Website

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter

Often referred to as the Harry Potter museum by fans, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter is a walkthrough-style attraction that takes you behind the scenes of the film series. Opened in 2023 on the former Toshimaen site in Nerima, it lets visitors explore iconic sets, props, and costumes in an indoor, museum-like environment without rides, similar to the London studio tour. For Potterheads, it’s one of the most magical and detailed pop-culture experiences in Tokyo.

• Opening hours: 8:30AM – 7PM (Daily)
• Fee: 6,300yen~ (Adult) 5,200yen (Junior) 3,800yen~ (Child)
• Location: Google map
• Website

If you’re planning your itinerary, mixing large institutions with smaller, specialized museums will give you the richest experience of what a museum in Tokyo can be.

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