All ancient art museums to visit in Japan

Step back in time with the fascinating collections of 15 ancient art museums in Japan. Marvel at artifacts, sculptures, and relics from ancient civilizations that tell the story of human history.

Do you have a fascination with ancient history and art? These are the top ancient art museums in Japan:

  1. Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts1

    Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts

     Osaka Prefecture
    The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, located in the Tennōji district of Osaka, is a significant cultural landmark. The museum is situated on the site of the former residence of the Sumitomo family, a prominent Japanese family known for their contributions to various industries. The family donated the land, which includes a traditional Japanese garden, for the establishment of the museum.
  2. The Sumida Hokusai Museum2

    The Sumida Hokusai Museum

     Tokyo
    The Sumida Hokusai Museum, located in the Sumida district of Tokyo, is dedicated to the renowned painter Katsushika Hokusai. This museum is a tribute to Hokusai's life and works, offering visitors a unique insight into the artist's world.
  3. Ebara Hatakeyama Museum of Art3

    Ebara Hatakeyama Museum of Art

     Tokyo
    The Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Arts, situated in Minato, Tokyo, is a private art museum. It offers a unique opportunity to explore a diverse collection of art pieces, making it an interesting destination for art enthusiasts visiting Tokyo.
  4. Hiroshima Museum of Art4

    Hiroshima Museum of Art

     Hiroshima
    Founded in 1978, the museum presents European paintings as well as Japanese ones. Its main focus is the French Romantic period.
  5. Tokugawa Art Museum5

    Tokugawa Art Museum

     Nagoya
    The Tokugawa Art Museum is a private institution situated in the former Ōzone Shimoyashiki compound in Nagoya, central Japan. This location is steeped in history and provides a unique setting for the museum.
  6. Nomura Art Museum6

    Nomura Art Museum

     Kyoto
    The Nomura Art Museum features two rooms dedicated to displaying exhibits. Additionally, the museum also houses a chashitsu, a traditional Japanese structure designed for tea ceremonies. This setup allows visitors to explore a variety of exhibits while also experiencing a piece of traditional Japanese culture.
  7. Hosomi Museum7

    Hosomi Museum

     Kyoto
    The Hosomi Museum, an art museum in Japan, is situated near Okazaki Park in Kyoto. It was opened to the public in 1998 and has since been a destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike. Its location near the park offers a serene environment that complements the artistic experience within the museum.
  8. Yurinkan museum8

    Yurinkan museum

     Kyoto
    The Yūrinkan Museum, also known as Fujii Saiseikai Yūrinkan, is a private museum located in Kyoto, Japan. It was established in 1926 and is known for its extensive collection of East Asian art. The museum is the second oldest private museum in Japan, making it a significant part of the country's cultural heritage.
  9. Municipal Nakamura Memorial Museum9

    Municipal Nakamura Memorial Museum

     Kanazawa
    Muso Soseki's calligraphy work, variety of paintings or traditional tea bowls - these and many more objects can be found in this charming museum.
  10. Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa-Bunko Museum10

    Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa-Bunko Museum

     Yokohama
    The Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa-Bunko Museum, also known as Kanazawa Bunko, is situated in the Kanazawa Ward of Yokohama, Japan. This museum is a significant cultural site that houses a vast collection of traditional Japanese and Chinese art objects, many of which date back to the Kamakura period.
  11. The Gotoh Museum11

    The Gotoh Museum

     Tokyo
    The Gotoh Museum, located in the Kaminoge district of Setagaya on the southwestern outskirts of Tokyo, is a private museum that offers a unique cultural experience. It was opened in 1960 and houses a collection of classic Japanese and Chinese art, including paintings, writings, crafts, and archaeological objects. The museum also features a small selection of Korean art.
  12. Iwasaki Museum12

    Iwasaki Museum

     Yokohama
    The Iwasaki Art Museum, located in Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, was established in 1983. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the region, offering visitors a chance to explore a diverse collection of artworks.
  13. 13

    Okada Museum of Art

     Hakone
    This spacious museum is devoted to Japanese, Korean, and Chinese art. The name refers to the collection's owner and founder of the museum, Okada Kazuo. Visit also the adjacent gardens with numerous springs and streams.
  14. Hayashibara Museum of Art14

    Hayashibara Museum of Art

     Okayama
    The Hayashibara Museum of Art, owned by the Hayashibara Group, is situated at 2-7-15 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, in Okayama. The museum is located on the site of a former guest house by the inner moat of Okayama Castle, providing a unique historical context to the museum's location.
  15. The Gotoh Museum15

    The Gotoh Museum

     Setagaya
    The Gotoh Museum, located in the Kaminoge district of Setagaya on the southwestern outskirts of Tokyo, Japan, is a private museum that offers a unique cultural experience. It was opened in 1960 and houses a collection of classical Japanese and Chinese art, including paintings, writings, crafts, and archaeological objects. The museum also features a small selection of Korean art.