Tokyo Museums

The culture of Tokyo is the crystallization of the opulent culture of the common mass that flourished in the Edo period from 1603 to 1867. Furthermore there is much contemporary art to be found, from "modern" to "innovative" to "futuristic". Tokyo has many enriching museums. You are sure to find whatever you need to stimulate your creativity in these museums. The Tokyo museums will give you direct and in depth introduction of the city. The city of Tokyo itself may be called a giant "museum" which is filled with people, things and events.

There are a number of famous museums in Tokyo. Some of them are Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo National Science Museum, National Museum of modern art, Edo- Tokyo Museum and others.

Of all the museums, the Tokyo National Museum is the oldest and the largest museum in Japan. It houses 90, 000 cultural treasures of art and archeological items, extensively covering the various regions of Asia, centering on Japan. Set up in 1872, the Tokyo National museum is worth seeing. The museum houses 87 Japanese National Treasures, 610 important cultural property and others. The museum also holds research and conducts educational events related to its assemblage. The major thrusts on the collections of the museum are on the ancient Japanese art and Asian art along the Silk Road. You will also find a huge collection of Greco-Buddhist art. The museum consists of five Exhibition Buildings. They are:

- Honkan or the Japanese Gallery
- Toyokan or the Asian Gallery
- Hyokeikan
- Heiseikan
- Horyu-ji Homotsukan or the Gallery of Horyu-ji Treasures, as well as the Shiryokan or the Research and Information Center

The Tokyo National Museum was inaugurated in 1871. The Science Museum concentrates chiefly on the evolution of life on Earth. But its comprehensive permanent displays and exhibitions cater to nearly all aspects of scientific endeavor.

The National Museum of Modern Art is the foremost museum of collecting and exhibiting coeval Japanese art. The museum houses the works of many notable Japanese artists sine he Meiji period. It also houses the works of a few contemporary artists as well. The museum has Arts museum, a Crafts Gallery and a National Film Center.

The museums of Tokyo are frequented by tourists throughout the year. There are even restaurants in many museum premises like Tokyo National Museum, Edo- Tokyo Museums, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and many others.