The Nezu Museum’s motto ought to be “small, but choice” because its high-quality exhibitions and the garden that surrounds it aren’t huge, but are always worth seeing. Its permanent collection is famous for its Japanese swords and the Cultural Treasure iris screen painted by Kōrin, which is exhibited every May.
Famous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s richly precise design of the Nezu Museum entrance might be your first clue that the Nezu Museum showcases beautifully curated exhibits, focusing on traditional Japanese arts. It’s especially delightful to visit in…
May
Every year they exhibit this golden screen by the famous Japanese artist Kōrin…
because the iris just coming into bloom in the garden beyond are the same variety as those in the painting!
The museum’s permanent collection includes many precious objects, from jeweled clockwork…
to traditional dolls…
From time to time they stage extensive displays of Japanese swords made by the finest swordsmiths of the samurai era…
showing the many different styles, sizes and shapes as fighting technology changed…
and even though many of them are over five hundred years old, they’re still as sharp as the day they were made!
We can only visit the garden surrounding the museum if we have an entry ticket, and it’s pretty enough that sometimes I go see a show I didn’t think I was particularly interested in, just to stroll there…
Teahouses are tucked among the greenery…
and as you can see, it’s especially quiet and lovely in the rain…
There’s nice art at every turn
and the paths in this garden are paved in especially pleasing stone patterns
and there are plenty of picturesque little trickles of water hidden in the greenery
This garden doesn’t have many flowering plants, but the autumn leaves are truly eye-popping against the mossy greenery
Open: Every day except closed on Mondays and during exhibit preparation (check their website before you go)
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Admission: Adult ¥1100 (¥1300 for special exhibition), student (high school and above) ¥800 (¥1000 for special exhibition)
For the upcoming exhibition schedule, check the Nezu Museum website
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And here are the other places I take my friends when they come to town
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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If you enjoyed this, subscribe!
Get all the latest Japan travel tips and tricks for free ヽ(*＾ω＾*)ﾉ
And here are the other places I take my friends when they come to town
•
Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 