If you’re interested in modern art, Japan has some amazing museums you shouldn’t miss!
teamLab Planets in Tokyo recently earned the Guinness World Record for most visited museum of a single art group. The art collective, which started in Tokyo in 2001, has museums and installations all around the country. They seek to navigate the confluence of art, science, and technology, and their installations are often immersive.
Advance tickets are required for all teamLab exhibits.
Naoshima
The art island of Naoshima, which has gained international recognition due to the Setouchi Triennale, a huge art show that takes place every 3 years, is basically a huge open-air museum, with installations all over the island, including Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Yellow Pumpkin. There are also a number of indoor museums, including heavy hitters such as Benesse House and the Ando Museum, featuring architecture by the museum’s namesake, architect Tadao Ando.
To get around Naoshima, we recommend renting bikes at the ferry port and exploring on your own. As of October 2024, timed entry tickets are required for most museums on the island. Many museums are closed on Mondays.
Located in the countryside about 90 minutes by public transport or 1 hour by car from Kyoto, the Miho Museum was designed by architect I.M. Pei. The museum founder, Mihoko Koyama, sought to create a place where visitors could experience peace and happiness through art. The permanent collection features around 3,000 works of ceramics, lacquerware, and other Japanese art.
Advance tickets strongly recommended. Closed Mondays.
The Mori Art Museum, in central Tokyo, features rotating exhibitions of international contemporary art. The museum focuses on cutting edge exhibitions, with an emphasis on showcasing Asian artists.
Don’t miss the observation deck, Tokyo City View, in the same building as the art museum (ticketed separately). Advance tickets are generally not required, but are available online.