In Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama district, Nezu Museum brings pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art together with a contemporary building and a large Japanese garden. The collection includes paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, textiles and Buddhist sculpture, with displays that change over time. Allow time for the garden as well as the galleries: its paths wind past bamboo, stone lanterns, sculptures and teahouses. The museum’s glass walls frame views of the greenery, linking the indoor collection with the grounds outside.
A collection built around pre-modern art
Nezu Museum preserves and displays the collection of Nezu Kaichirō, a businessman and art collector whose interests included Japanese and East Asian works. He gathered objects across many forms, from paintings and calligraphy to ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, sculpture and tea utensils. After his death in 1940, his son established a foundation to protect the collection, and the museum opened to the public in 1941.
The collection has grown to more than 7,400 objects. Only a selection is on display at any one time, and exhibitions change, so the galleries can look different on a return visit. The focus is largely on pre-modern art from Japan and elsewhere in East Asia. Depending on what is showing, you may encounter ink paintings, ancient objects, Buddhist sculpture or works connected with tea culture.
Inside the galleries
The museum’s displays are arranged around selected parts of its collection rather than the full holdings. Past exhibitions have included Chinese paintings and medieval Japanese ink-wash paintings, as well as ancient relics and sculptures. Seasonal changes to the displays give visitors a reason to check what is showing before planning a visit.
The building was designed by Kengo Kuma and reopened in 2009 after major renovation work. A bamboo-lined approach leads towards the galleries, where broad windows look out onto the garden. The design uses the view of the grounds as part of the museum experience, while keeping the galleries’ presentation of older art in focus. Explanatory text in English is available for the works.
The garden and its teahouses
The garden is a substantial part of the visit, not simply a view from the galleries. Paths pass through a landscape of slopes, bamboo, water, stonework and plantings, with sculptures and teahouses along the way. Bridges cross streams, and the changing plants give the grounds a different character through the seasons. The garden also contains tea rooms, reflecting the importance of tea-related objects in Nezu Kaichirō’s collection.
Leave room in your schedule to walk the paths at an unhurried pace and pause at the benches. The grounds extend away from the main building, and the quieter paths are further into the garden. Insect repellent is provided at the entrance, a practical help when spending time outdoors.
Planning your visit
Nezu Museum is in Minami-Aoyama, near Omotesando, in Tokyo’s Minato City. Advance tickets are recommended, especially when demand is high; tickets can also be bought in the lobby. The garden and galleries are both part of the visit, so decide whether you would rather explore the outdoor paths first or begin with the current exhibition.
The grounds include a café with views over the garden. It can draw a crowd, so do not build your visit around getting a table there. Check the museum’s official website for current ticket and exhibition information before setting out. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, according to its listed schedule.
FAQ
Where is Nezu Museum?
It is at 6 Chome-5-1 Minamiaoyama in Minato City, Tokyo, near Omotesando.
Do you need to book Nezu Museum tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended, particularly during busy periods. Tickets are also available at the lobby.
How long should you spend at Nezu Museum?
Allow around two to three hours for the galleries and a walk through the garden.
What can you see at Nezu Museum?
The museum displays pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics and sculpture. Its grounds include paths, bamboo, teahouses and garden sculptures.
