History and Science Museums

History

  • Tokyo National Museum••
    5 minute walk from Ueno Station in Ueno Park
    Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (until 19:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
    Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a holiday), New Year holidays
    Admission: 1000 yen
    The oldest and largest museum in Japan, the Tokyo National Museum is made up of multiple buildings, each like a separate museum in itself. They house the largest collection of national treasures and important cultural items in the country.
  • Edo-Tokyo Museum••
    Closed for renovations until spring 2026
    The excellent Edo-Tokyo Museum displays models and life-sized recreations of structures and events to show the daily life of Tokyo during the Edo, Meiji and early Showa periods.
  • Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum
    10 minute bus ride from Musashi-Koganei Station
    Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 (until 16:30 from Oct to Mar)
    Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a holiday), New Year holidays
    Admission: 400 yen
    A branch of the above Edo-Tokyo Museum, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum exhibits a number of relocated and reconstructed historic buildings and structures laid out like a historic town.
  • Yushukan
    On the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine
    Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
    Closed: A few irregular closure days in late June and late December
    Admission: 1000 yen
    A large museum on the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine that commemorates Japan's wars from a conservative Japanese perspective with detailed information in English.
  • Shitamachi Museum
    5 minute walk from Ueno Station
    Hours: 9:30 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
    Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3
    Admission: 300 yen
    Shitamachi is the name of the artisan and merchant part of old Tokyo. This nostalgic museum has exhibits and reconstructions that show what life was like in Tokyo from the late Meiji to early Showa Periods.
  • The Japanese Sword Museum
    5 minute walk north of Ryogoku Station
    Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
    Closed: Mondays (or next day if Mon is a holiday), New Year, between exhibitions
    Admission: 1000 yen
    The Japanese Sword Museum exhibits a large number of sword blades and related items, including historic and modern items. Exhibitions are changed multiple times per year. Formerly located in Shinjuku, the museum was moved to a modern building in Ryogoku in 2018.

Science

  • National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation••
    5 min walk from Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station (Odaiba)
    Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
    Closed: Tuesdays (except national holidays) and Dec 28 to Jan 1
    Admission: 630 yen
    Also known as Miraikan, this extremely interactive and bilingual museum has excellent exhibits about environmental issues, robots, information technology, biology and space exploration.
  • National Science Museum•
    5 min walk from Ueno Station in Ueno Park
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
    Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 28 to Jan 1
    Admission: 630 yen
    This museum covers both science and natural history with hands-on physics and robotics experiments, an impressive collection of mounted animals and a 360 degree virtual theater.

Ratings:    best of the best    best of Japan    outstanding

Tokyo Museum Guide
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Hotels around Tokyo

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      Mokkoan
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and a hot tub, Mokkoan offers accommodation in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Private parking is available on site. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain units have a seating area where you can relax. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Yokohama is 37 km from Mokkoan, while Chiba is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 24 km from Mokkoan.
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      Tokyo inn Sakura An
      Mid-range
      Set in Tokyo, 200 metres from Tokyo Origami Museum and 600 metres from Komagatado, Tokyo inn Sakura An offers free bikes and air conditioning. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The ryokan also offers facilities for disabled guests. The ryokan is equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV. The kitchen is fitted with an oven, a microwave and a toaster and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation has a private entrance and soundproofing. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum, Asakusa Station and Sumida Riverside Hall. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.
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      SOLA HOTEL
      Mid-range
      Featuring 3-star accommodation, SOLA HOTEL is located in Tokyo, 300 metres from Kamejimashogakko Memorial Park and 800 metres from Kameido Tenjin Shrine. Among the facilities at this property are a lift and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel features family rooms. The aparthotel will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is also a well-fitted kitchen in some of the units equipped with an oven and toaster. At the aparthotel, every unit has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Umeyashiki Monument, Tokyo Skytree and Tobacco & Salt Museum. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 21 km away.
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      cyashitsu ryokan asakusa
      Mid-range
      Situated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan offers a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 24 km from the property.
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      hanare
      Budget-friendly
      Offering quiet street views, hanare is set in the Taito district of Tokyo, 400 metres from Asakura Museum of Sculpture and 400 metres from Kyoouji Temple. The 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation offers luggage storage space and a concierge service for guests. At the guest house, each unit includes a tatami. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental or an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Guests at hanare will be able to enjoy activities in and around Tokyo, like walking tours. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include The Site of Koda Rohan House, Tenno-ji Temple Gojuno Tower Remains and Tennoji Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 25 km from the property.
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      No Borders Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      In the Shinagawa Ward district of Tokyo, close to Togoshi-ginza Shopping Street, No Borders Hostel features free bikes and a washing machine. Featuring a shared lounge, the guest house is close to several noted attractions, around 1.5 km from Meguro Fudoson Ryusen-ji Temple, 1.6 km from Yakushi-ji Tokyo Annex Temple and 1.7 km from Ohsaki New City Shopping Mall. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. The air-conditioned units have a fully equipped kitchen with dining area, a microwave, kettle, and a fridge. Featuring a shared bathroom with a shower and slippers, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Anyo-in Temple, Remy Gotanda Shopping Mall and Musashi Koyama Shopping Street Palm. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 12 km away.
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      Ryokan Nakadaya
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Tokyo, within 1.5 km of Sensoji Temple and 2.2 km of Tokyo Skytree, Ryokan Nakadaya offers accommodation with a shared lounge. The property is set 3.5 km from Edo Tokyo Museum, 6 km from Marunouchi Building and 6 km from Yasukuni Shrine. Free WiFi is available. The units in the inn are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room is equipped with a shared bathroom. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 19 km from the property.
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    •
      The Okura Tokyo
      Luxury
      Composed of 2 buildings, The Okura Tokyo boasts a garden and bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge, ticket service and currency exchange for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, kettle and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All guest rooms have a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer, bidet and free toiletries. Located on 28-40 floors, Prestige Tower offers rooms with cityscape views. Guests booking room type with Club Lounge Access in Heritage Wing can enjoy Club Lounge. Spacious rooms in Heritage Wing include complimentary welcome drink, steam sauna and spa bath. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near The Okura Tokyo include Iino Hall and Conference Centre, National Diet Building and Space FS Shiodome. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International, 22 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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      ulu Tokyo
      Luxury
      Situated within 700 metres of Monument of Electric Experiment at Hiraga Gennai and 500 metres of Shibusawa Eiichi Taku Monument, ulu Tokyo features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Tokyo. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 700 metres from Site of Mutsu Munemitsu Residence. At the hotel, rooms are equipped with a balcony. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, some rooms at ulu Tokyo also boast a city view. The rooms in the accommodation are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Popular points of interest near ulu Tokyo include Shinkawa Historic Place Monument, Masago Monument and Bank of Japan Origin Place Monument. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 17 km from the property.
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    •
      Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Ideally set in the centre of Tokyo, Kaminarimon Ryokan offers Asian breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Popular points of interest nearby include Hozomon Gate, Nitenmon Gate and Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Asakusa Public Hall. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms come with a kettle, while selected rooms also feature a terrace and others also feature city views. At Kaminarimon Ryokan, the rooms include a seating area. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Drum Museum, Komagatado and Asakusa Station. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
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Tokyo Restaurants

Recommended in Tokyo
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      Udatsu Sushi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.
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    • Waketokuyama
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.
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    • Fry-ya
      Tonkatsu
      Exquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.
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    • TEMPURA & WINE SHINO
      Tempura
      The kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of "Hidden gem". In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.
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    • Hikarimono
      Sushi
      With a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.
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    • Daikanyama Issai Kassai
      Izakaya
      The owner, Shinji Odahara, boasts a 30-year career in Japanese cuisine and has the remarkable achievement of opening a Japanese restaurant in New York that earned a star. Guests can enjoy exquisite charcoal-grilled meat dishes and rice cooked in a clay pot, all within a modern interior with dim lighting that sparks adult curiosity.
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    • Sudachi
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      You can enjoy dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients, transcending the traditional boundaries of Japanese cuisine. While rooted in the traditions of Japanese cooking, the menu features unique offerings such as dishes incorporating shark fin—rarely seen in Japanese cuisine—and sushi that reflects the chef's background in sushi restaurants. At the open kitchen counter, where the lively atmosphere comes alive, you can savor the culinary creations with all five senses.
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    • Torinao
      Yakitori
      In a relaxed and serene atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite yakitori made with "Koshu Kenmidori" chicken, grilled to perfection over Kishu Binchotan charcoal for a delightful aroma. The tender and fluffy tsukune (chicken meatball) is particularly popular for its juicy flavor. Additionally, the carefully selected Japanese sake, chosen by the owner, pairs wonderfully with the yakitori.
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    • Ichiu
      Sushi
      Chef Hamano is renowned for his experience training at three different two-star restaurants. In addition to sushi, he has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at the esteemed Akasaka Kikunoi, giving him a strong foundation in traditional Japanese culinary techniques.When it comes to nigiri, he is meticulous not only about the toppings but also the rice. He uses a premium rice variety from Akita, enhanced with two types of red vinegar and plum vinegar to create a refreshing flavor.
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    • Yakiniku Onuki
      Yakiniku
      The restaurant is proud of its "Tare Yakiniku" (grilled meat with sauce), which is made from Japanese black beef that has inherited the "excellent sauce" from the main restaurant, and is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The beef tongue is also superb. The thickly cut beef tongue is very difficult to grill, so the waiter grills it and serves it to you. Enjoy a blissful moment with wine that pairs well with the meat.
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Experiences around Tokyo

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