Tokyo National Museum (Japanese Garden) [Tokyo]

【Overview of the Tokyo National Museum】

Located within Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum was founded in 1872 (Meiji 5) and stands as Japan’s oldest and largest museum. Operated by the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (an Independent Administrative Institution), it serves as a national museum of Japan. Its core missions encompass collecting, preserving, exhibiting, researching, and popularizing cultural properties (such as fine arts and archaeological artifacts) from Japan and other Asian regions.

【Tokyo National Museum Main Building (Honkan)】

Construction on the Main Building began in 1932 (Showa 7), and it formally opened its doors in 1938 (Showa 13).

The building features a total of 26 exhibition rooms spanning across the first and second floors, meticulously arranged in a square “口” shape around a grand central staircase. Designated under the historical name “Former Main Building of the Tokyo Imperial Household Museum,” it is recognized as a National Important Cultural Property.

【Tokyo National Museum Japanese Garden】

Visitors can enter the garden from the north side of the Main Building. Tracing its roots back to the garden of the former Kaneiji Temple, this Japanese garden was further developed from the Meiji period onward as a Chisen-kaiyushiki garden (a traditional stroll garden designed around a central pond). Five historic tea houses (including the Shonsuro and Okyo-kan) are dotted throughout the grounds, allowing visitors to leisurely stroll around the pond and enjoy the beautifully changing scenery of the four seasons.

However, because the garden has undergone extensive renovations since its time as a temple garden, only a few traces of its original layout remain—such as the layout of the pond and a tombstone belonging to the feudal Arima clan.

【Okyo-kan (TOHAKU Chakan) Inside the Tokyo National Museum Japanese Garden】

The “Okyo-kan” tea house was originally constructed during the Meireki era (1655–1658) of the Edo period at the estate of the Nagoya-Okubo family in Ama District, Owari Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture). It was later relocated to the precincts of Kodakuin Temple before eventually being donated to the Tokyo National Museum. During specific periods, such as from February to October 2024, it has been opened to the general public as the cafe “TOHAKU Chakan.” Here, guests can enjoy Japanese-dashi-infused spiced curry, traditional sweets, and other delicacies while gazing out at the scenic garden views.

The building still preserves magnificent fusuma-e (sliding door paintings) attributed to Maruyama Okyo, a master painter of the Edo period.

While you can dine on either the engawa (traditional wooden veranda) or inside the ozashiki (tatami-mat room), the veranda is incredibly popular and consistently draws a daily waiting list. While the veranda is lovely, the cherry blossom trees do not sit directly in front of it; therefore, I personally recommend the middle seats inside the ozashiki room.

During this visit, I ordered the matcha green tea, the Sakura Tiramisu, and Ozenzai (sweet red bean soup with mochi).

The Sakura Tiramisu features a luxurious layering of domestic Japanese strawberries, beautifully balanced by the pleasant bitterness of the matcha.

The Ozenzai offers a delightful experience with the wonderfully chewy texture of the shiratama (rice flour dumplings) and the flaky, warming softness of the chestnuts.

The Dogu-shaped Wasanbon is a high-grade traditional Japanese sugar confection molded into the shape of a “Shakoki-dogu” (goggle-eyed clay figurine). I intended to buy some as a souvenir on my way out, but due to its immense popularity, it was already completely sold out…

The customer service at TOHAKU Chakan is highly polite, and the atmosphere is exceptionally pleasant. Although the prices are a bit on the higher side (reflecting tourist/inbound pricing), you get to dine in a quiet, serene space where you can completely forget the daily hustle and bustle right in the middle of Tokyo while gazing at the garden. If you view it as paying a premium for the location, it is well worth the cost.

【Tokyo National Museum Former Main Gate of the Inshu Ikeda Clan (Kuromon)】

This structure served as the main gate (Omote-mon) for the Edo residence of the Ikeda clan, the rulers of the Inaba-Tottori Domain. During the Edo period, it was originally erected in Daimyo-koji (present-day Marunouchi 3-chome). In 1954 (Showa 29), it was relocated to the grounds of the Tokyo National Museum for preservation. Today, it is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

【Nearby Tourist Spots (Within a 30-Minute Walk)】

Kaneiji Temple, Tennoji Temple, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Shinobazu Pond Bentendo, Nezu Shrine

Ueno Toshogu Shrine【Tokyo】

Shinobaz Pond Benten Temple [Tokyo]

Tennoji Temple [Tokyo]

Nezu Shrine and Otome Inari Shrine [Tokyo]

【Tokyo National Museum Access】

Admin’s Impressions

The Tokyo National Museum boasts an immense collection that provides thorough satisfaction, making the 1,000-yen admission fee feel incredibly cheap. Since I dropped by this time to take a rest as well, I focused heavily on TOHAKU Chakan; however, the museum and the garden are absolutely packed with highlights. Ueno Park itself has so much to see, so why not take a relaxing break at TOHAKU Chakan during your stroll? If given the opportunity in the future, I would love to write a detailed report covering the Tokyo National Museum itself.

Site / Facility Scale

 (5)

Abundance of Nature

 (3.5)

Ease of Access

 (4)

Crowds / Number of Tourists

 (5)

Tokyo National Museum Address

13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8712

*No parking available.

Approximately a 10-minute walk from the “Park Gate” (Koen-guchi) of JR Ueno Station or the “South Gate” (Minami-guchi) of JR Uguisudani Station.

Tokyo National Museum Official Website

参考

TOHAKU 茶館 – TOHAKU CHAKAN –

TOHAKU 茶館

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