Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Japan, established in 1872, with the first exhibition held at the Yushima Seido. In 1882 the museum moved to its current location at the Ueno Park in Taito Ward.

There are five exhibition buildings, a memorial hall, a research center, gardens and teahouses at the museum premises. The garden is open to the public only during spring and autumn.

The Honkan building exhibits Highlights of Japanese art, from the Jiomo period to the edo period (1603-1868). The original building, designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, was severely damaged during the 1923 Kanto earthquake. The current building was designed by the Japanese architect Jin Watanabe, and it is designated an important Cultural property of Japan 2001.

The Toyokan building is closed due to earthquake-proofing work, it will reopen in 2013.

The Hyokan building, built in honor of the wedding of the Taisho crown prince, is closed and there is no set date for reopening, the building has been designated an important cultural property.

The Heiseikan building, was built to commemorate the crown prince’s wedding, it is used primarily for temporary exhibitions.

The gallery of horyuji treasures is a beautiful building designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, housing the treasures of the houryu ji temple in Nara, Japan, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

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