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Nezu Museum in Japan: Authentic Japanese Garden in the Heart of Tokyo

The Nezu Museum is a cultural and scenic highlight of Tokyo’s fashionable Aoyama district in Japan, combining sweeping modern architecture with elegant traditional landscaping. The Museum is at the end of the upmarket Omotesando boulevard.

Museum Collection

The two-story museum building was rebuilt in 2006, and is a large airy, atmospheric space where selections of the Museum’s approximately 7,400 pieces can be enjoyed in periodically changing general exhibitions, and where special exhibitions are also held. The Museum collection covers many genres of art and craft created by ancient calligraphers, ceramicists, armor makers, metalworkers, textile makers, painters, lacquerware craftspersons, sculptors and others, and includes many archaeological artifacts.

Nezu was an aficienado of the tea ceremony, which uses arts and crafts as focal points, accounting for the breadth of his tastes.

All exhibits have explanations in English.

The Nezu Museum has a pleasant cafe and a shop selling good quality souvenirs, books, and catalogs of past exhibitions.

The bamboo building makes people nostalgic and think about its history

The bamboo building makes people nostalgic and think about its history
When you look back at the main gate of the entrance of art museum, you can view the remarkable bamboo passages.

Walk along Miyuki Street for 8 minutes after you go out of the A5 exit of Omotesando Station on the Chiyoda Line, Hanzomon Line, and Ginza Line.

You can see luxurious bamboo hedges across the junction. You might be surprised to see bamboo hedges in the center of the city. Cross the street to go into art museum’s main gate.

Nezu Museum in Japan: Authentic Japanese Garden in the Heart of Tokyo
Nezu Museum in Japan: Authentic Japanese Garden in the Heart of Tokyo
The big roof reminds visitors of Japanese style homes with a modern appearance that is impressive.

This is a large building which has 2 stories above ground and 2 below with an open feeling, because of the use of glass in the building.

The exhibition hall had its renewal opening in 2009. The renovations were done to give the appearance of Nezu’s home when the museum was first opened. The original structure was burned by airstrike. The art survived and was put on display temporarily at a barracks that survived the fires in 1946. Reconstruction of the building began in 1954 with the new exhibition hall created in 1991.

The renovations for the renewal began in 2006, with the exhibition hall completed 2009. Kengo Kuma a big name among Japanese architects designed it and it is highly revered at home and abroad as an exquisite architectural work of harmony with both a modern and old Japanese atmosphere.

Impressive sculptures

Visitors come as much to contemplate the beauty of the garden as to discover the works of art that have been collected by Nezu Kaichiro (1860-1940), an entrepreneur who made ​​his fortune by investing in railroads. His son established a foundation, and in 1941 opened the family home to the public. It was destroyed in “the terrifying incendiary bombings by the American Superfortresses” as Robert Guillain wrote in his book I saw Tokyo Burning. Fortunately, the collections were transferred out of the capital.

Among the seven thousand works acquired are towering Buddhist sculptures, ancient coins from China (including ancestral bronzes) and from Japan, painted scrolls, calligraphy, kimono fabrics, utensils for tea ceremonies and in particular some beautiful Korean ceramics and Japanese raku style bowls (pottery with a translucent glaze) are exhibited. It’s a haven of peace not to be missed.

Hours & Admission

The Nezu Museum is open from 10am to 5pm (last entry 4:30pm). Closed Mondays, the year-end/New Year period, and at certain periods between exhibitions.

General collection: 1,100 yen for adults, 800 yen for senior high school age, free for under senior high school age.
Special exhibitions: 1,300 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for senior high school age, free for under senior high school age.

How to get there

The closest metro station is Omotesando. Chiyoda line, Ginza line and Hanzomon line stop here. Use exit 4 or 5 and walk down the small end of Omotesando towards south east. After 400m you should reach the museum.

Conclusion

The Nezu Museum is a great way to learn some history and experience a mostly accessible Japanese garden in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. It is well worth the visit, but some caution is advised when navigating the garden.