Nezu Museum

Located in Aoyama, Tokyo, the Nezu Museum is home to a diverse collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art that was founded by Nezu Kaichiro (1860-1940). He was the president of the Tōbu Railway Co., Ltd. and showed his passion for art early in his life. As well as showing his abilities as a businessman and politician, he became an enthusiastic practitioner of the tea ceremony, and that spurred his collection of art.

After his sudden death, his son opened the Nezu Museum in its current location in 1941. Even though a great part of the museum was destroyed during World War II, the museum was reconstructed and resumed holding exhibitions in 1946 with works of art that had been evacuated to a safer location during the war.

Numerous private donations of works have been added to its collection since 1940, and today over 7,400 works including 7 National Treasures, 88 Important Cultural Properties, and 94 Important Art Objects are exhibited in the museum which was rebuilt in 2009. The building itself is a mix of traditional and modern architecture designed by internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma. The museum houses many genres of art collection including painting, calligraphy, sculpture, metalwork, ceramics, lacquerware, wooden and bamboo craft, and textiles. Since he worked hard on the tea ceremony and collected tea wares, those works are a major pillar of the collection.

Not only its collection but its expansive Japanese garden also makes the museum worth a visit. Surrounded by well-preserved tea houses, ponds, and a torii gate, this Japanese garden is well designed in every corner to let visitors enjoy the beauty of the garden. Every step you go into the garden, you almost forget you are in Tokyo. Immerse yourself in this tranquil atmosphere and don’t forget to take Instagrammable pictures that can be taken only in Japan. There are also a pleasant cafe and a souvenir shop selling their original souvenirs, books, and catalogs of past exhibitions.

Visit this picturesque museum and garden on your free day in Tokyo during our Cherry Blossom tour or Highlights of Japan tour packages. You can always customize your own vacation through Japan Deluxe Tours to include the Nezu Museum and the other beautiful destinations you want to visit.

See the latest exhibit schedule on their official website.