Ueno: Pilgrim of Art in Tokyo! Enjoy Japanese Crafts and Arts Culture

While being in the heart of Tokyo, Ueno retains much of its traditional streetscape and is beloved by both locals and tourists alike. With the nature-rich Ueno Onshi Park (Ueno Park), zoo, and some of Japan's finest art museums and museums, it's a neighborhood deep in cultural enjoyment and home to numerous examples of Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts.

Among young people in Japan, there's an ongoing Showa retro boom (nostalgia for culture and lifestyle particularly from the 1950s-1960s), which has also made Ueno a popular area from this perspective.

This time, while focusing on Ueno's artistic highlights, we'll introduce facilities where you can experience Tokyo's history firsthand.

Let's enjoy an artistic journey perfect for the deepening seasons from autumn to winter!

Ueno is Known as the "City of Arts" with Many Art and Cultural Facilities in Tokyo

Ueno houses the country's leading national art museums, museums, and art universities. It can be called a "City of Arts" where international artistic works from both East and West, historical buildings, and artifacts from ancient ruins come together.

Throughout the year, each facility hosts numerous must-see special exhibitions. You can enjoy a wide range of genres, from archaeological content that unravels history to cutting-edge art, including displays of Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts.

Even if you're not well-versed in art, you're guaranteed to have a meaningful experience! Let us guide you through our recommended facilities.

Introducing 3 Art-Related Facilities in Ueno/Ueno Park

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM

Source: Official website

When it comes to Japanese museums, the Tokyo National Museum stands at the forefront. Opened in 1872, it is Japan's oldest museum.

The collection inherited over its 150+ year history comprises approximately 120,000 items, including 89 National Treasures and 649 Important Cultural Properties. It specializes in precious Asian art pieces, historical documents, and archaeological artifacts, primarily from Japan.

The vast grounds, covering 100,000 square meters, feature six exhibition buildings with different themes, along with a resource center, gardens, and tea rooms.

While the collection is naturally the main attraction, the buildings themselves are must-see attractions. The buildings are designated as Important Cultural Properties, showcasing remarkable architecture from the 1600s to the 2000s. The grand staircase in the main building's atrium entrance, which serves as its "face," and the interior decorations are particularly spectacular.

Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:00 (Last entry 16:30); Open until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and November 3 (Last entry 19:30)
Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a holiday, open on the holiday and closed the following weekday), December 17, 2024, December 23-January 1, 2025 *Other temporary closures and openings may apply
Phone: 050-5541-8600
Official Website: https://www.tnm.jp/

TOKYO METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM

Source: FASHION PRESS

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (locally known as "Tobikan") is one of Japan's leading art museums, approaching its 100th anniversary in 2026. Located in the same district as many Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts venues, it has become a cultural landmark.

The museum consistently hosts notable exhibitions featuring masterpieces from both Japan and worldwide, which I never fail to follow. It attracts large crowds daily for special exhibitions featuring renowned artists such as Taro Okamoto, one of Japan's most significant 20th-century artists, and Henri Matisse from France.

Beyond its exhibitions, the museum building itself is a highlight. The new wing, built in 1975, was designed by Kunio Maekawa, a master of Japanese modernist architecture.

The building features various artistic elements throughout, making the structure itself worthy of being called a work of art.

Address: 8-36 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last entry at 17:00)
Closed: 1st and 3rd Mondays (If a holiday, closed the following day) *May have additional closures during New Year's and for maintenance
Phone: 03-3823-6921
Official Website: https://www.tobikan.jp/

The National Museum of Western Art

Source: Official website

The National Museum of Western Art is a national museum specializing in Western art, curated through a Japanese aesthetic perspective.

The museum's core collection is the Matsukata Collection (an art collection assembled by Japanese businessman Kojiro Matsukata in the early 1900s, primarily consisting of French Impressionist paintings and Rodin sculptures) returned as a donation from the French government.

The collection spans from the Renaissance to the mid-20th century, featuring paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings by renowned artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Pablo Picasso. The museum building itself is recognized as a World Heritage site, being one of Le Corbusier's architectural masterpieces. In 2022, the front garden was renovated to restore its original atmosphere.

Address: 7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last entry at 17:00), Fridays and Saturdays 9:30-20:00 (Last entry at 19:30)
Closed: Mondays (If a holiday, closed the following weekday), December 28-January 1
*May have additional temporary closures or openings
Phone: 050-5541-8600
Official Website: https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/

National Museum of Nature and Science

Source: Wikipedia

The National Museum of Nature and Science offers an engaging way to learn about Japanese history from natural history and scientific perspectives.

As Japan's only national comprehensive science museum, it houses over 4.9 million specimens and materials, including animal, plant, and fungal specimens, living plants, minerals, fossils, human bones, and scientific/technological historical materials. Approximately 25,000 items are on permanent display.

From dinosaurs to cutting-edge space technology, the exhibits fascinate both adults and children. Photography is permitted in certain areas (no flash), so feel free to bring your camera.

The museum is divided into two main buildings: the Japan Gallery (Nihonkan) and the Global Gallery (Chikyukan). The Japan Gallery teaches visitors about the formation of the Japanese archipelago and ancient Japanese life. The Global Gallery's highlight is its impressive dinosaur exhibition, along with an overwhelming display of mammal and bird taxidermy.

Address: 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (If a holiday, closed the following Tuesday)
Phone: 050-5541-8600
Official Website: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/

Shitamachi Museum

Source: Wikipedia

The "Shitamachi Museum" is a facility that preserves the traditional culture of Tokyo's downtown area. It is currently closed for renovation, with plans to reopen in March 2025.

The highlight here is a recreated streetscape of early 1900s downtown Tokyo. Like a movie or drama set, it's enjoyable just being there. You can step inside to glimpse the lifestyle of that era, featuring typical merchant houses built in the "dashigeta" (projecting beam) style and nagaya (row houses) in narrow alleyways known as uradana, which showcase the rich heritage of Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts.

The space is furnished with authentic period furniture and daily utensils. You can sit at a chabudai (low dining table) or in front of a nagahibachi (long charcoal brazier) used for boiling water and keeping warm. This immersive experience allows you to deeply appreciate the atmospheric seasonal changes and daily life of old downtown Tokyo's not-so-distant past.

Address: 2-1 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-16:30 (Last entry 16:00)
Closed: Mondays (next weekday if Monday is a holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3, and special inventory periods
Phone: 03-5846-8426
Official Website: https://www.taitogeibun.net/shitamachi/

The Ueno Royal Museum

Source: Google Maps

The Ueno Royal Museum is beloved by locals as a unique art museum in Ueno, known for its extensive collection of woodblock prints depicting Ueno scenes and exemplifying Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts.

The ukiyo-e collection is particularly recommended. It features a wide range of works from the 1700s-1800s, including pieces by Utagawa Hiroshige, a ukiyo-e master (1600s-early 1900s) celebrated by art enthusiasts worldwide, as well as early 1900s works following the ukiyo-e tradition.

The museum is also famous for regularly hosting diverse exhibitions, from major international shows to ukiyo-e and manga exhibitions.

Note: Closed for renovation from September 16, 2024, to February 12, 2025

Address: 1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Closed: Irregular (varies by exhibition)
Phone: 03-3833-4191
Official Website: https://www.ueno-mori.org/

Art Creation Workshops at The Ueno Royal Museum

Source: Official website

The professional art school operated by The Ueno Royal Museum is also popular. The atelier is located on the third floor of the museum's annex, offering instruction tailored to individual skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists.

Courses include 6-month "regular courses," 1-2 day "single session courses" on weekends, and "special courses" during extended holidays. Each instructor provides diverse curricula focusing on oil painting, acrylic, watercolor, and traditional Japanese painting, continuing the legacy of Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts.

People with various aspirations participate, whether to broaden their artistic knowledge or try their hand at creation. For a unique travel memory, the single session courses are highly recommended.

Tokyo Has Many Museums Where You Can Enjoyably Learn About Japanese Culture and Arts!

Japan Folk Crafts Museum

Source: Official website

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum was established through the dedicated efforts of Yanagi Soetsu, who is known as the founder of the Japanese mingei (folk crafts) movement. Like the renowned Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts district, this museum showcases Japan's rich cultural heritage.

The mingei movement, initiated in 1926 under Yanagi's leadership, was a cultural movement focused on daily life. He termed the everyday utensils created by anonymous craftsmen as "mingei" (folk crafts). He proclaimed that these items possessed beauty equal to fine art pieces and emphasized that beauty exists in everyday life.

The mingei philosophy continues to thrive in modern Japan.

Using this museum as his base, Yanagi conducted research and collected crafts from various regions including Tohoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. The main building, designed by Yanagi himself, is presented as a work of artistic beauty.

- Address: 4-3-33 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
- Closed: Mondays (Next day if holiday), New Year holidays *May close temporarily for exhibition changes
- Phone: 03-3467-4527
- Official Website: https://mingeikan.or.jp/

Edo-Tokyo Museum

Source: Go Tokyo

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is an interactive museum that traces Tokyo's history from the 1600s, when it was called Edo, through to the period around World War II.

The permanent exhibition is divided into two major zones: the "Edo Zone" and the "Tokyo Zone" covering the period from the late 1800s onwards. Both areas feature life-sized models and displays recreating the towns and lifestyles of each era, giving visitors the feeling of time traveling to those periods.

Visitors can thoroughly understand the development of early modern and modern Japan, including changes in architectural styles and the evolution of lifestyle elements including food.

Note: Currently closed for major renovation work. Expected to reopen after 2025.

- Address: 1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: Currently closed
- Closed: Currently closed
- Phone: 03-3626-9974
- Official Website: https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/

Japanese Sword Museum

Source: Asahi.com

Many foreigners are interested in the nihonto (Japanese sword), a symbol of Japanese bushi (warriors) and samurai. Beyond its nature as a weapon, the Japanese sword served as an object of worship and a symbol of authority, while also being appreciated as an art piece.

The Japanese Sword Museum offers a deep dive into this fascinating world of Japanese swords. After World War II, Japanese swords were considered weapons and became targets for confiscation by the occupying forces.
Despite facing the crisis of extinction, there was a growing movement to study and preserve them as artistic craftworks.

Since its opening in 1968, the museum has housed numerous swords, toso (sword mountings), tosogu (sword fittings), katchu (armor), kinko (metalwork) materials, and historical documents.
It's a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese history or swords!

- Address: 1-12-9 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 9:30-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
- Closed: Mondays (Next day if holiday), Exhibition change periods, New Year holidays
- Phone: 03-6284-1000
- Official Website: https://www.touken.or.jp/

Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square

Source: Official website

Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square is a gallery shop featuring diverse traditional crafts from across Japan, including ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, Japanese paper, woodwork, and metalwork. Similar to the renowned collections found at Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts, visitors can experience the world of Japanese folk crafts here.

Each item has been nurtured by Japan's cultural climate and passed down through generations of Japanese daily life. Unlike high-end art pieces, these items combine practicality with aesthetic value, designed for long-term use in everyday life.

We invite you to experience firsthand the numerous masterpieces born from Japanese sensibility and craftsman's expertise, and feel the warmth of handmade craftsmanship.

Address: 1F, 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00-19:00 *Hours may vary on the first and last days of special exhibitions
Closed: New Year's holidays
Phone: 03-5785-1301
Official Website: https://kougeihin.jp/

Kigumi Museum

Source: Official website

Kigumi (wood joinery) is one of Japan's globally acclaimed techniques for firmly joining wooden pieces in traditional architecture, rivaling the craftsmanship displayed at Ueno Traditional Crafts and Arts. Its history dates back 4,000 years. Buildings constructed using kigumi are known for their exceptional durability and earthquake resistance, despite using no metal fasteners. This technique is also employed in the construction of temples and shrines registered as World Heritage sites.

The Kigumi Museum is an interactive facility exploring the fascination of wood joinery. It displays over 500 items, including large-scale models and various elements of traditional Japanese wooden architecture such as lacquer, roofing, and kazarikanamono (decorative metal fittings created by hammering patterns into metal plates). A distinctive feature is the ability to touch and experience these remarkable items firsthand.

Address: 3F, 2-3-26 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed: Generally Friday through Monday
Phone: 03-3209-0430
Official Website: https://www.kigumi.tokyo/