Museum / Science Museum Spots in Tokyo Area

Area

Tokyo
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Museum / Science Museum

Samurai Museum

4.5

1907 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Kabukichou 2-25-6 Yongwa 6th Building 1F

This museum is dedicated to generals and samurai of the Warring States period. There are displays of armor and swords by period, and explanations of the origins of the samurai. You can also rent armor to get your picture taken as a samurai! It's very popular with tourists from overseas. They also have an attraction letting you join in a sword battle, as well as lots of events like sword preparation and calligraphy classes. They also sell souvenirs and gifts like replica armor.

Very engaging and interactive experience at this museum! The guides were very knowledgeable on the history but also had really cool activities at the end (ninja and samurai) to make it a good...
Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum

4.5

2178 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Sumida-ku Yokoami 1-4-1

Located near Ryogoku Kokugikan, the museum has been popular since its opening in 1993 as a place to reflect on the history and culture of Edo Tokyo and to consider the future of the city and people's lives. Many foreign tourists visit this facility to enjoy learning about the city, its culture, and the lives of the people of Edo Tokyo.

Well worth a trip - lovely exhibition, amazing building. I spent around 3 hours looking at the various displays. Truly fascinating and gives a great understanding of the Edo period. Staff were...
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)

4.0

1089 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Koutou-ku Aomi 2-3-6

This is a national science museum on Odaiba island. The permanent exhibits cover a broad range of subjects from the simple science questions to those regarding the latest technologies including the earth environment, space exploration, and the wonders of life. The dome shaped theater that plays 3D science films and other three-dimensional planetarium presentations is very popular. The director of this museum is the famous astronaut, Mamoru Mohri.

If you come expecting a museum of emerging science and technology, you might be a tad disappointed. This really is more of a set of more or less sophisticated art pieces and exhibits showcasing...
Edo-Tokyo Open-air Architectural Museum

4.5

355 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Koganeishi Sakurachou 3-7-1 In the Metropolitan Koganei Park

This is an outdoor museum that exhibits historical buildings reconstructed from the metropolitan Koganei Park. It was established as an annex of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. In this museum, there are more than 30 restored buildings that date back to the Edo and early Showa periods. In the Center Zone are several reconstructed buildings such as Jisho-in Mausoleum (Otama-ya) and the residence of Takahashi Korekiyo who was assassinated in the 2.26 Incident. There are also reconstructed houses from Yamanote at the West Zone and at the East Zone visitors can enjoy a traditional neighborhood atmosphere with stores, public baths, and bars.

小金井公園の敷地内にある野外博物館。江戸時代から明治・大正時代の面影を遺す建物を移築し、保存することにより、その時代の建物の特徴や暮らしを身近に体験することが出来ます。都心から1時間程度で行けるところにあるため、気軽に行くことが出来ます。昔ながらの家屋や古民家が好き、そこにいるとホッとする、という、日頃のコンクリートジャングルに囲まれた生活の中で疲れを感じた人が行くには最適のところではないかと思い...
Tokyo National Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Taitou-ku Uenokouen 13-9

This is a national museum located within Ueno-onshi-koen Park that was established in 1872. Five buildings including the main building serve as exhibit halls, although it has several other facilities such as archives. With an enormous number of collections, it has accumulated over 116,000 items of Oriental art and ancient relics, mostly from Japan. A great number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are also included inside. The museum also holds special exhibitions that run three to five times a year.
Tokyo Fire Department Museum

4.0

267 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Yotsuya 3-10

I had this museum high on my list considering my father is a firefighter in Australia. The history levels and the static displays of the fire fighting equipment was fascinating, comparable to the...
Science Museum

4.0

177 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kitanomarukouen 2-1

The Science Museum Science Hall is a full-fledged theater-style hall able to accommodate 410 people. This facility is perfect for hosting lectures, seminars, symposiums, and presentations of all kinds.

While there is not a lot of English here, we still had a great time and felt it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours with our boys, (10 & 12) They have 5 floors of science, all very hands on...
Meguro Parasitological Museum

4.0

199 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Meguro-ku Shimomeguro 4-1-1

This museum is dedicated to the subject of parasites. It features some 300 specimens and other related exhibits including an 8.8-meter-long tapeworm specimen illuminated with LED lights. The first floor of the museum, which has a theme of ''diversity of parasites,'' presents the diverse shapes and appearances of parasites through specimen, video, and other exhibits. The second floor, which has a theme of ''human and zoonotic parasites,'' covers topics including the symptoms that parasite infections cause in humans as well as the history of parasitology in Japan. The museum's shop offers a selection of original goods including t-shirts featuring detailed illustrations of parasites.

Only two small floors, but a lot of interesting info. There are QR-codes that give you english info. Some of the tablets have an english option too. Theres a small museum shop...
Shitamachifuzoku Museum

4.0

289 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Taitou-ku Uenokouen 2-1

This is a small museum and it was hard to find. When we finally did find it, I found it too warm inside and we didnt stay long.
Chikatetsu Museum

4.0

202 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Edogawa-ku Higashi-Kasai 6-3-1

The museum is right next to the Kasai station on the Tozai metro line (about 20 mins ride from the Ōtemachi station, next to Tokyo station). Admission to the museum for an adult is a bargain 220¥. I...
Tobu Museum

4.0

102 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Sumida-ku Higashimukoujima 4-28-16

A museum located close to Higashi-Mukojima Station in Higashimukojima, Sumida City, Tokyo. The museum opened in 1989 in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Tobu Railway company. Visitors can learn about the Tobu Railway through displays of steam locomotives and other actual railway vehicles as well as interactive exhibits such as train driving simulators. There's also an area where you can see the Tobu Skytree Line, which travels right over the museum, up close.

This was great especially on a rainy day. We caught the 39 bus which stops two minutes away. It is 200 yen to enter. We were there a couple of hours. There are lots of interactive exhibits. The signs...
Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections)

4.0

79 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

The Imperial Palace East Gyoen in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 1-1

"Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections) is located within the Imperial Palace East Garden, and is managed by the Imperial Household Agency; it is around five minutes' walk from Exit C13a of Otemachi subway station. The museum was established to preserve and manage paintings, calligraphy, handicrafts and other works of art that have been donated to the nation by successive generations of the Imperial Family, and to put these art-works on display to the general public. There are a total of around 9,800 items in the museum's collections; these important works donated by the Imperial Family include the ""Doshoku Sai-e"" (""Colorful Realm of Living Beings"") hanging scrolls painted by Ito Jakuchu, and Karajishi-zu byobu ""The huge folding screen of the Lions"" created by Kano Eitoku and Kano Tsunenobu."

Tiny one room museum with some very beautiful objects from the Imperial household collection. Worth a few minutes (and no more since it is such a small place). And no photos...
National Museum of Nature and Science

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Taitou-ku Uenokouen 7-20

Established in 1877, this is Japan’s largest general science museum. The permanent exhibitions include the Global Gallery, which focuses on the history of life on earth and traces the progress of humankind as well as science and technology, the Japan Gallery, which details Japan’s nature and the history of the Japanese people, and Theater 360, which screens films that can be seen in all directions, 360 degrees around. Special exhibitions are held several times throughout the year, and it is a very popular spot with many people lining up to visit the museum even on holidays.
Tamarokuto Science Center

4.0

85 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Nishitoukyoushi Shibakubochou 5-10-64

This science museum located in the Shibakubocho district of Tokyo’s Nishi Tokyo City opened in 1994. The name of the facility represents the six cities of Kodaira City, Higashi Murayama City, Tanashi City, Hoya City, Kiyose City, and Higashi Kurume City. The main attraction is its projector certified as the world’s “most-advanced planetarium” which can project more than 140 million individual stars. The exhibition rooms are divided up into themes such as “Meet the Science” and “Body & Senses” and are arranged to allow visitors to thoroughly learn about science, living creatures, and nature. It also has a break room that allows guests to bring their own bento lunches.

Not foreigner friendly. We took our kids here for summer vacation thing to do and got kicked out of the planetarium in 2min of start because of my watch light coming on. Took a 5, 4, and 2yr old in...
Swords Museum

3.5

119 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Sumida-ku Yokoami 1-12-9

Recently moved to a new building and location. The first floor has a video with a Japanese narrative but understandable via beautiful camera work, along with descriptions in Japanese/English about...
Tokyo Water Science Museum

4.0

78 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Koutou-ku Ariake 3-1-8

A hands-on museum dedicated to water operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks. Entry is free. A variety of facilities can be found in the museum, including a theater room and experiment labs, teaching visitors about water through videos, quizzes, and experiment shows. Closest station: Kokusai-tenjijo-seimon Station on the Yurikamome.

Its a small, free exhibition about drinking water purification in Tokio. The majority is in Japanese, bit there are really cool self explaining experiments and English headers for the most...
Museum of Maritime Science

3.0

91 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shinagawa-ku Higashiyashio 3-1

A museum dedicated to ocean science located close to Yurikamome Fune-no-kagakukan Station in Higashiyashio, Shinagawa City, Tokyo. Focusing on oceangoing boats and maritime culture, the museum displays materials on ocean industries in Japan and also provides mini classes on canoeing and sailing using an outdoor pool. The museum also has outdoor displays of model submarines and actual ships such as the Soya, a first-generation Antarctic exploration vessel.

Museum is closed for renovation. There is a small exhibit in a single small space at ground level that appears to be the original ticket or gift shop. Minimal multilingual support. Neighboring...
The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

4.0

113 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Bunkyou-ku Kouraku 1-3-61

"The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located inside the Tokyo Dome, around five minutes' walk from either Suidobashi Station (JR Sobu Line and Toei Mita Line) or Korakuen Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line). The museum provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the history and current status of baseball in Japan (both professional and amateur leagues), and has on display a large amount of fascinating historical artifacts and documents, etc. The Baseball Hall of Fame commemorates individuals who made a particularly important contribution towards the development of baseball; there is also a library with around 50,000 sports-related books, and a ""Batter's Box Experience Zone"" where visitors can try their hand against professional baseball pitchers (shown on video screens), etc."

in tokyo for our last visit to japan most probably and our good friend brought us here one day. built in 1959 and moved to the tokyo dome since 1986. has a library, reference rooms, and many...
Ochanomizu Origami Kaikan

4.0

69 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Bunkyou-ku Yushima 1-7-14 (Ogami Hall)

The Origami Kaikan was originally established in 1858 as a store for dyeing and manufacturing “chiyogami” papers, and is located in Bunkyo City’s Yushima. With the objective of promoting paper culture, it aims to convey Japanese culture and Japan’s beauty through the traditional handicraft of origami. In addition to exhibits on the history of paper culture and displays of works by origami artists around the world, visitors can purchase washi that has been dyed within the shop. The center also holds washi handicraft classes that teach participants to make small articles and accessories out of washi.

We stopped by Origami Kaikan and were intrigued by the different items created through origami. It is a true art and the training, patience and accuracy which is needed to come up with the art on...
Fuchu City Kyodo-no-Mori Museum

4.5

77 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Fuchushi Minamichou 6-32

This outdoor museum located in the Minamicho district of Tokyo’s Fuchu City is a facility that allows visitors to learn about the nature and history of Fuchu primarily through buildings. Important structures from the Edo period to the early Showa period such as the former Fuchu town hall government office building and Fuchu stores, townhouse and farmhouses have been relocated and are now stored on the premises that span approximately 140,000 square meters. In the main building are regular displays of local materials about Fuchu, and together with the outdoor buildings visitors can learn about Fuchu’s people and history. On the flat level floor is Japan’s largest planetarium.

A total of 10 different structures (several designated as Tokyo Cultural Properties) from Edo (Samurai times), Meiji, Taisho, & Showa Eras from around Fuchu are located in this open-air museum...

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Museum / Science Museum

Tokyo Areas

The setting of countless iconic movie scenes and the inspiration for songs, poetry, and literature worldwide, Tokyo barely requires an introduction. It’s hard for the kaleidoscopic neon lights, wacky pop culture, and some of the world’s tallest structures not to instill excitement in any first-time visitor to Tokyo, whether you’re in the very center of the hustle and bustle in Shinjuku or Shibuya or looking in from the quieter suburbs.