Researched guide · Checked on Nov 2, 2026
Tokyo has world-class museums for every interest: Japanese art and samurai armor, the history of the city, digital art, science, photography and animation. Here are the best ones for visitors, grouped by area, with what to know before you go.
Quick answer
Japanese art and history: Tokyo National Museum (Ueno) and the Edo-Tokyo Museum (Ryogoku). Modern art: Roppongi. Digital art: teamLab. Animation: the Ghibli Museum (advance tickets only).
Opening hours: most of the museums in our table open at 9:30 or 10:00 and close between 16:30 and 17:30. Most close on Mondays; the Railway Museum and the CUPNOODLES Museum close on Tuesdays. Check before you go.
| Museum | Area | Good to know | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo National Museum | Ueno | Japanese art, samurai armor, ceramics. Opens at 9:30 am, usually closed on Mondays, open until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays | Ueno |
| Edo-Tokyo Museum | Ryogoku | The history of Tokyo. Reopened on March 31, 2026, after renovation | Ryogoku |
| Sumida Hokusai Museum | Ryogoku | Works by the ukiyo-e master Hokusai | Ryogoku |
| Mori Art Museum | Roppongi | Contemporary art near the top of Roppongi Hills, with the Tokyo City View deck | Roppongi |
| The National Art Center, Tokyo | Roppongi | Large special exhibitions. Usually closed on Tuesdays | Roppongi |
| teamLab Borderless and Planets | Azabudai, Toyosu | Immersive digital art. Timed tickets | teamLab tickets |
| Tokyo Photographic Art Museum | Ebisu | Japanese and international photography | Ebisu |
| Miraikan | Odaiba | Science and technology | Odaiba |
| Ghibli Museum | Mitaka | Studio Ghibli. Advance tickets only, sold on the 10th of each month | Ghibli Museum tickets |
| Asakura Museum of Sculpture | Yanaka | A sculptor’s former home and studio | Yanaka |
A museum day in Ueno
Ueno Park has several major museums in one place, including the Tokyo National Museum, so it is easy to spend a morning there and then walk to the old streets of Yanaka or the market street of Ameyoko. See our Ueno and Akihabara guide.
Art in Roppongi
Roppongi has big art museums close together, and teamLab Borderless is next door in Azabudai Hills. Combine them with a city view at night. See Roppongi and Azabudai.
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Museums compared: prices and hours
Here are the prices and opening hours for the museums we cover in detail. Prices are for adults. Most museums are closed one day a week, so check before you go.
| Museum | Adults | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo National Museum | ¥1,000 (free under 18) | 9:30–17:00, later on some weekends | Usually Mondays |
| National Museum of Nature and Science | ¥630 (free for high school and under) | 9:00–17:00 | Mondays |
| Edo-Tokyo Museum | ¥800 (permanent exhibition) | 9:30–17:30, Saturdays until 19:30 | Mondays |
| Sumida Hokusai Museum | ¥1,500 (special exhibition until November 23, 2026) | 9:30–17:30 | Mondays |
| Japanese Sword Museum | ¥1,500 (special exhibition, October 24 – December 20, 2026) | 9:30–17:00 | Mondays, and between exhibitions |
| Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum | ¥400 | 9:30–16:30 (October–March) | Mondays |
| Planetarium TENKU | ¥1,600 online | Weekdays 10:30–22:00, weekends from 9:30 | — |
| The Railway Museum (Saitama) | ¥1,600 (¥1,500 if bought by the day before) | 10:00–17:00 | Tuesdays |
| CUPNOODLES Museum Yokohama | ¥500 (free for high school and under) | 10:00–18:00 | Tuesdays |
Prices and hours come from each museum’s official site, checked in our individual guides on October 20–21, 2026. Special exhibition prices and dates change.
Tips
- Check closing days: many museums close on Mondays (or the next day after a public holiday), but some close on other days.
- Special exhibitions often need a separate ticket and can be crowded. Go early on weekdays.
- Museums are a great plan for bad weather. See what to do when it rains.
FAQ
What is the best museum in Tokyo?
For Japanese art and history, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. For Tokyo’s own history, the Edo-Tokyo Museum. For something different, teamLab’s digital art.
Are Tokyo museums closed on Mondays?
Many are, including the Tokyo National Museum, but not all. Some close on Tuesdays. Always check the museum’s calendar.
Is the Edo-Tokyo Museum open?
Yes. It reopened on March 31, 2026, after a long renovation.
Do I need to book museums in advance?
Most museums sell tickets on the day, but timed-entry places such as teamLab and the Ghibli Museum should be booked ahead.
Keep reading
Sources
This guide brings together information from our area guides, which list their own official sources (checked October 18, 2026). Hours and closing days change, so please check before you go.
Prices and hours in the comparison table were checked in our individual museum guides on October 20–21, 2026, and gathered here (checked November 2, 2026).
