You know the story of the 47 samurai who avenged their lord, then were all ordered to commit ritual suicide? You can see the movie anywhere in the world, but visiting the place where the REAL 47 rōnin are buried is something you can only do in Japan! If you want to see a pieceContinueContinue reading “Sengaku-ji Temple”
Category Archives: Museums
Nihon Minka-en Thatch-Roofed Farmhouses
The Nihon Minka-en (Japan Open Air Folk Museum) is an excellent only-in-Japan excursion, and one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. Why make the big schlep and fight the crowds at Shirakawago when you can stroll through 23 different thatch-roofed houses less than an hour outside central Tokyo? The Nihon Minka-en is a beautiful park set upContinueContinue reading “Nihon Minka-en Thatch-Roofed Farmhouses”
Yushukan Museum
The Yasukuni Shrine grounds are home to an extensive WWII museum, with a fascinating collection of artifacts, weapons and memorabilia from the Japanese side. It’s easy to spend a few hours here, especially if it’s hot or rainy outside. The Yushukan is arranged as a timeline that starts long before the war, detailing events inContinueContinue reading “Yushukan Museum”
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”
Tobacco & Salt Museum
The collections of smoking paraphernalia on the Tobacco floor are pure amusement gold. These two are my personal faves Don’t bother going to the Tobacco & Salt Museum unless you love being surprised by hilarious collections of smoking paraphernalia, weird things made from salt, and a gift shop that will satisfy the souvenir needs ofContinueContinue reading “Tobacco & Salt Museum”
National Museum of Nature & Science
Not just for kids! You might not think a natural history museum is a must-see when there are so many only-in-Japan things to do, but you’ll thank me for telling you about the All Things Japanese wing at the National Museum of Nature & Science! From mighty indigenous bugs, to ancient people mannequins with aContinueContinue reading “National Museum of Nature & Science”
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”
Kokugakuin University Museum
Various animal figures, late Kōfun Period, 6th Century Kokugakuin University was founded by the imperial family with the mission to study the origins of the Japanese people and their beliefs, and this museum is the premier place to see excellently displayed artifacts, from those dating back over 15,000 years (the dawn of Japanese cuteness culture!)ContinueContinue reading “Kokugakuin University 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”
Fukagawa-Edo Museum
The Fukagawa-Edo Museum is a life-size town, complete with shops, homes & treasure storehouse that have been recreated down to the last detail. It’s an especially great place to visit on a hot or rainy day. Are you ready for a little time travel? One step inside this shitamachi museum, and we’ll find ourselves in theContinueContinue reading “Fukagawa-Edo 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”
Deal with rainy summer days the only-in-Japan way!
If you’re in Tokyo anytime from mid-June through July, chances are you’ll have the, uh, privilege of experiencing the traditional Japanese season known as tsuyu: the rainy season. (And since Japan is in the Asian monsoon belt, that means hot and rainy.) But the Japanese have been coping with steamy summer days for centuries, soContinueContinue reading “Deal with rainy summer days the only-in-Japan way!”
Noooo! Why is it CLOSED?!
There’s nothing more disappointing than flying all the way to Japan, navigating the trains, and hiking to the pin on your map,* only to discover that something you really want to see is CLOSED! Here’s what locals know about when things are open and when they’re not. 1 The 30-Minute Rule Most places don’t allowContinueContinue reading “Noooo! Why is it CLOSED?!”
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”
Great things to do in January
Tell me more! Best shrines for enjoying the new year’s festivities: • Winter Illuminations Many of Tokyo’s fabulous free winter illuminations continue in the month of January, as well as the eye-popping paid illuminations at Tokyo Mega-Illumi, Yomiuriland, and Sagamiko. Tell me more! • Winter Sumo Tournament The Tokyo winter sumo tournament runs for 14ContinueContinue reading “Great things to do in January”
Yasukuni Shrine
The shrine with a sumo ring! The most controversial shrine in Tokyo, the Yasukuni Shrine hosts festivals with all the trimmings in January, April, July and October. It’s also got a fascinating WWII museum, a lovely garden and an outdoor sumo amphitheater. This is a gorgeous, lively, maddeningly nationalistic, must-see Imperial shrine. Like the MeijiContinueContinue reading “Yasukuni Shrine”
Shibuya Area
Shibuya is a shopping paradise, home to my three favorite stores in Tokyo, that iconic scramble intersection, a thought-provoking museum, the famous Tokyo Toilets and an excellent skatepark. Even on Coming-Of-Age day, girls head over to Shibuya to party as soon as their family duties are over! The best time to see the famous ShibuyaContinueContinue reading “Shibuya Area”
Ryōgoku Area
Ryōgoku is home to two of the first things people think of when they hear the word “Japan”: sumo wrestling and woodblock prints. The Tokyo sumo tournaments happen for ten days every January, May and September. The sumo stadium is right next to Ryōgoku Station, and watching a sumo match is like nothing you’ve everContinueContinue reading “Ryōgoku Area”
Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside
Don’t let a little steamy weather keep you from having all the summer fun and seeing all the good stuff! There are plenty of only-in-Japan delights you can 100% enjoy and still keep your cool. Instead of groaning at the soaring temperatures, think yourself lucky you’re here for experiences and food that are only offeredContinueContinue reading “Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside”
How to make your own sea creature swim through TeamLab Borderless!
Did you know there’s a room at TeamLab Borderless where you can make your own sea creature and send it swimming through the museum? It’s really fun, it’s not just for kids, and it’s free for everyone with museum admission! Here’s how! When you enter the aquarium room, find the doorway leading into the sketchContinueContinue reading “How to make your own sea creature swim through TeamLab Borderless!”
What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day
You’ve got every precious day in Japan all planned out…then you wake up one morning and it’s raining. Here are some only-in-Japan things you can do on a rainy day that might deliver even more fun than what you thought you’d be doing today! MAP TO ALL DESTINATIONS • Only-in-Japan Aquariums If the word “aquarium”ContinueContinue reading “What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day”
What museum shows are happening while you’re in Tokyo?
Here are links to the current exhibition schedules of all my favorite Tokyo museums in one place, so you can check what eye-popping art will be on display while you’re there! These are all great museums, but the ones with pictures are my personal only-in-Japan favorites. • ARTIZON MUSEUM Choice pieces of modern art byContinueContinue reading “What museum shows are happening while you’re in Tokyo?”
Nine must-see Tokyo museums you’ve never heard of
These only-in-Japan museums and galleries are smaller (and far less crowded) than the ones listed in every travel guide, but they offer a rich dive into Japanese culture, with exhibits that are thought-provoking and visually spectacular. Every single one is well worth spending time at! MAP TO ALL NINE MUSEUMS More great museums are onContinueContinue reading “Nine must-see Tokyo museums you’ve never heard of”
Tips & tricks for maximum fun at the new TeamLab Borderless
Hi, it’s me, Jonelle. The TeamLab Borderless Digital Museum is the hottest ticket in Tokyo right now, but it’s also the great grandaddy of FOMO. There are no maps, and it’s designed to get you turned around so you “discover” instead of beelining to the thing you’re dying to see. The new Azabudai Hills siteContinueContinue reading “Tips & tricks for maximum fun at the new TeamLab Borderless”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 