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Tokyo National Museum

Honkan main building of the Tokyo National Museum with its tiled roof reflected in the pond in front, winter trees
Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
¥1,000; students ¥500
Hours
9:30–17:00; Fri and Sat until 20:00
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
2 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Permanent collection
¥1,000 adults, ¥500 university students
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Closed
Mondays (if a holiday, the next day)
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Special exhibitions
Separate ticket and their own hours
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Free days 2026
19 May, 21 September, 3 November
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Getting there
10 minutes from Ueno or Uguisudani stations
Coordinates
35.71889, 139.77639YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

Oldestnational museum in Japan, and the largest art museum
Sourceen.wikipedia
≈ 120,000objects in the collection
Sourceen.wikipedia
89National Treasures of Japan in the collection
Sourceen.wikipedia
≈ 3,000objects on show at once — displays rotate
Sourceen.wikipedia
4–8 weekshow often items are changed
Sourceen.wikipedia
Honkanthe main building — Japanese art
Sourceen.wikipedia
¥1,000permanent collection entry
Sourcetnm.jp
Until 20:00on Fridays and Saturdays
Sourcetnm.jp

What is the Tokyo National Museum?

The Tokyo National Museum is Japan's oldest national museum and its largest art museum. It stands in the north of Ueno Park and holds about 120,000 objects of Japanese and Asian art, including 89 National Treasures.

Around 3,000 objects are on display at any one time, and the displays change every 4–8 weeks, so every visit is a little different. The museum has several buildings: the main Honkan with Japanese art, the Toyokan with Asian art, the Horyu-ji Treasures Gallery and halls for special exhibitions.

What to see

The Honkan tells the story of Japanese art from ancient times to the 19th century: samurai armour and swords, folding screens, lacquerware, kimono, ukiyo-e prints and Buddhist sculpture. It's the main building and the place to start.

The Toyokan shows art from China, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Silk Road. The modern Horyu-ji Treasures Gallery holds ancient Buddhist figures and masks from Horyu-ji temple in Nara. In front of the Honkan is a pond and garden with a view of the whole building.

Museum highlights

  • Samurai armour and swords in the Honkan.
  • Ukiyo-e prints and Japanese painting.
  • Kimono and lacquerware.
  • Buddhist sculpture.
  • The Horyu-ji Treasures in their own gallery.
  • Asian art in the Toyokan.

How to get to the museum

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on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

  • Ueno Park is about 13 min away on foot.
  • Yanaka is about 16 min away on foot.
  • Ameyoko is about 15 min away on foot.

More tips

  1. JR Ueno station — Park exit, about 10 minutes on foot through the park.
  2. JR Uguisudani station — south exit, about 10 minutes.
  3. Ueno metro stations (Ginza, Hibiya lines) — about 15 minutes.
  4. Keisei-Ueno station — about 15 minutes, handy from Narita.
  5. There's no parking at the museum — come by train.

Daytime or a Friday evening

Daytimeyou are here9:30–17:00Busier, tour groupsThe park and zoo¥1,000
Fri or Sat eveningUntil 20:00QuieterDinner in Ueno¥1,000

How long do you need?

Allow 1.5–2 hours for the Honkan, or half a day for the whole museum. If you're short of time, focus on the Honkan: the armour, swords and prints are there.

The museum combines easily with Ueno Park and Ameyoko market. On Friday and Saturday evenings it's quieter, and you can have dinner in Ueno afterwards.

Is the Tokyo National Museum worth visiting?

Yes: it's the best place to see the full sweep of Japanese art in a couple of hours — from ancient statues to samurai armour and prints.

The YesGo take: the museum is huge, and labels aren't always detailed. Make the Honkan your main goal, check it isn't a Monday, and come on a Friday evening when it's quieter.

Before you go: checklist

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Tokyo history and museums: compare and choose

Museums and historic sites in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Tokyo Imperial Palace621 h 30 minfree4.6 km
Senso-ji511 hFree33 min walk
Zojo-ji4240 minFree7.3 km
Nezu Shrine3930 minFree25 min walk
Yanaka361 h 30 minFree16 min walk
Tokyo National Museumyou are here352 h¥1,000; students ¥500—
Kabuki-za351 h 30 minsingle act ¥1,600–10,800 (Nov 2026)5.5 km
Gotoku-ji3245 minFree14.0 km

Ueno in a day

The Tokyo National Museum in the morning, a walk round Ueno Park in the afternoon, and Ameyoko market towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Tokyo National Museumyou are here2 h · ¥1,000; students ¥500
  2. 15 min walk from the previous stopUeno Park1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600
  3. 7 min walk from the previous stopAmeyoko45 min · free

3 places · about 4 h 37 min with walks · 22 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Ueno Park

Tokyo, Japan

1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600 · 15 min walk

Yanaka

Tokyo, Japan

1 h 30 min · free · 16 min walk

Ameyoko

Tokyo, Japan

45 min · free · 17 min walk

Nezu Shrine

Tokyo, Japan

30 min · free; azalea garden paid in spring · 25 min walk

How to do it right

  • Closed on Mondays.
  • Fri and Sat until 20:00.
  • Start with the Honkan.
  • Buy tickets online on your phone.
  • Nearby: Ueno Park.

Questions

How much is entry?

The permanent collection is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for university students; special exhibitions are extra.

What are the opening hours?

9:30–17:00, until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

When is the museum closed?

On Mondays (if a holiday, the next day) and at the end of December.

What should I see first?

The Honkan — samurai armour, swords, prints and kimono.

How do I get there?

10 minutes on foot from JR Ueno or Uguisudani stations.

Are there free days?

In 2026: 19 May, 21 September and 3 November.

How long do you need?

1.5–2 hours for the Honkan, half a day for the whole museum.

Is there parking?

No, it's best to come by train.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Tokyo National Museum official site (tnm.jp) — hours, prices, closing days, free days, access (checked 09.11.2026)
  • English Wikipedia: Tokyo National Museum — collection, National Treasures, buildings
  • Wikidata Q653433 — coordinates
  • YesGo general facts for Japan — transport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 09.11.2026 ·
How we checkedHours, permanent-collection prices, closing days, 2026 free days and access are from the museum's official site. Collection size, National Treasures and buildings are from Wikipedia. Special-exhibition prices and hours change, so we don't give them. The page doesn't list concessions for other visitor groups, so we don't either.

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