If you see nothing else while you’re in Tokyo, see this. No one in the world creates digital environments as rich and immersive as TeamLab, and wandering through this ever-changing kaleidoscope of digital wonders is entertaining for far longer than most museums, because it feels like you never step into the same river twice. TeamLab’s BorderlessContinueContinue reading “TeamLab Borderless”
Category Archives: Art
The Tokyo Toilets
Have your own perfect day exploring the seventeen amazing toilets designed by famous architects that were featured in the Wim Wenders film “Perfect Days.” If you want to see the transparent ones turn opaque when you flip the lock on the door, go between April and October, when the weather is warm enough for theContinueContinue reading “The Tokyo Toilets”
Ueshima Museum
Works by Lauren Quin and Annie Morris This new museum near Shibuya’s hip Miyashita Park is home to a collection that’s an extremely satisfying romp through a who’s who of international modern art, with a special focus on young Japanese artists bursting onto the world stage. An especially nice place to spend some time whenContinueContinue reading “Ueshima Museum”
Tomo Museum
The Tomo Museum showcases artists taking traditional techniques in whole new directions, and the way they exhibit each piece is a work of art in itself. It’s an especially nice place to visit on a hot or rainy day. This is the most spectacular ceramics museum in Japan. The galleries are designed to frame manyContinueContinue reading “Tomo Museum”
The Mingeikan: Japan Folk Art Museum
Objects in this museum’s collection expanded the concept of “art” to include items that are useful as well as beautiful. The Mingeikan—a museum dedicated to the Japanese Mingei Movement of the 1920s—literally means “Museum of the Peoples’ Art.” Their collection celebrates objects used in everyday life which have been honed to perfection (and beauty) byContinueContinue reading “The Mingeikan: Japan Folk Art Museum”
Yayoi Kusama Museum
Some of the famous pumpkins This dedicated Kusama Museum is the place to see all things Yayoi Kusama—the iconic pumpkins, the brilliant canvases & and an infinity room—all in one place. It’s an especially great place to visit on a hot or rainy day. Yayoi Kusama might be the most well-known (and eccentric) modern artistContinueContinue reading “Yayoi Kusama Museum”
Hoki Museum
This is not a photograph. The Hoki Museum houses the finest collection of Realist art in Japan—maybe in the world—and not only do they display the stunningly huge and lifelike works in their collection, they commission new works from artists around the globe and are the first to exhibit them. It’s an especially great placeContinueContinue reading “Hoki Museum”
Artizon Museum
It’s not just the art that’s worth seeing at the Artizon Museum, it’s the way it’s presented. From unique curating ideas that surprise you by shwoing familiar masterpieces from a new perspective to galleries that invite you to see more, come closer, and think differently, don’t miss seeing whatever is on display while you’re inContinueContinue reading “Artizon Museum”
TeamLab Planets
Planets is more sensory than the other digital environments TeamLab is famous for, so get read to encounter living plants, interactive mirrored scmoos and a wading pond stocked with digital koi and blooming flowers! It’s an especially nice escape from the heat and rainy days of summer. Come prepared to give up your shoes andContinueContinue reading “TeamLab Planets”
Roppongi Area
Roppongi is best known for sketchy nightlife, but it also offers a couple of provocative museums, a must-see art night, cherry blossoms from mid-March to mid-April, a fine display of koi nobori carp flags from mid-April to May 5th, and some of the best winter illuminations in Tokyo from late November through December. Most visitorsContinueContinue reading “Roppongi Area”
TeamLab Borderless Digital Museum
If you see nothing else while you’re in Tokyo, see this. TeamLab’s Borderless is back and better than ever. It’s truly a digital world without horizons, constantly changing and unfolding around you. It’s an especially excellent place to spend a few hours if it’s hot or rainy outside. The moment you enter through the Borderless Universe,ContinueContinue reading “TeamLab Borderless Digital Museum”
Yamatane Museum
“Autumn Colors” by Kaii Higashiyama, photo courtesy of Google Art & Culture This is the place to see masterpieces of Japanese nihonga painting, from venerable to contemporary. Their collection of works painted with powdered gemstones is first-rate, and they curate shows that are both enlightening and enjoyable. Visit in March and April for their annualContinueContinue reading “Yamatane Museum”
Sato Sakura Museum
“Sakura River” by Ryo Date This museum doesn’t just collect works painted with powdered gemstones in traditional Japanese nihonga style, they commission new works too! It’s an especially excellent stop in late March to early April, when the cherry blossoms are blooming along the Meguro River outside the door. Situated just a block from theContinueContinue reading “Sato Sakura Museum”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 