Tokyo National Museum

About Tokyo National Museum

As Japan's oldest and largest museum, the Tokyo National Museum houses an unparalleled collection of Japanese art and cultural artifacts, including an extensive array of samurai swords, armor, and weapons. The Honkan (Japanese Gallery) showcases centuries of samurai culture, from early warrior gear to elaborate ceremonial pieces. The museum's collection spans over 1,000 years of Japanese history, offering visitors a comprehensive journey through the evolution of samurai artistry and craftsmanship.

History

Tokyo National Museum was established in 1872, making it the oldest national museum in Japan. It traces its origin to an exhibition held that year at the Yushima Seido hall in central Tokyo, which displayed imperial artwork and scientific specimens. The institution later moved to its present site in Ueno Park in Taito City, where it grew into the largest of Japan's national museums. In 1878, 319 relics transferred from Horyuji temple formed the basis of what is now the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures. The museum complex expanded across multiple buildings including the Honkan, Toyokan, and Heiseikan, and its holdings today number roughly 120,000 cultural properties. In 2022 it marked its 150th anniversary by exhibiting its entire set of designated National Treasures together for the first time. As of 2023 the museum holds roughly 89 items with National Treasure designation, representing about a tenth of all such objects in Japan.

What to See

For visitors focused on samurai history, the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) is the central draw. Its second-floor chronological rooms trace Japanese art from prehistory through the late Edo period, while first-floor thematic rooms include dedicated displays of Japanese swords and a separate room for the attire of the military elite, covering armor, helmets, sword fittings, and mounted tachi from the Heian through Edo periods. Rotating displays feature blades signed by major historical smiths and complete sets of o-yoroi and domaru armor. The museum's holdings include a large number of swords and sword mountings designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, shown in rotation every four to eight weeks to protect the works. The Heiseikan hosts large special exhibitions that frequently feature samurai, shogunate, or temple-related themes drawn from the museum's own collection and loans from shrines, temples, and other institutions.

Visitor Tips

Plan for at least three to four hours to cover the Honkan alone, or a full day for the entire complex. Hours are 9:30 to 17:00, with extended evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 19:00, and last admission thirty minutes before closing. Object labels appear in Japanese and English, and audio guides are available in English. Photography without flash is generally permitted in the permanent galleries. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Ueno Park itself hosts several other museums and the zoo, making combined visits easy.

Visitor Information

Hours: 9:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)

Admission:

• Adults: 1,000 yen
• University students: 500 yen
• High school students and younger: Free

Access: 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) or JR Uguisudani Station (South Exit). Multiple subway lines serve Ueno Station.

Museum Highlights

• Japanese Gallery (Honkan)
• Asian Gallery (Toyokan)
• Samurai armor collection
• National treasure swords

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours at Tokyo National Museum?

9:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)

How much is admission to Tokyo National Museum?

Adults: 1,000 yen; University students: 500 yen; High school students and younger: Free

How do I get to Tokyo National Museum?

10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) or JR Uguisudani Station (South Exit). Multiple subway lines serve Ueno Station.