In a city as busy, complex and constantly evolving as Tokyo, time spent here is often focused on exploring its inspiring contemporary culture and amazing cuisine. However, if you’re looking to shed some light on Japan’s past, Tokyo’s historical museums may be the place for you.

This season, discover one of the many immersive replicas of traditional Tokyoite homes and workplaces, learn about fascinating Samurai culture or gaze at traditional woodcuts in some of the city’s most interesting historic venues. Here’s a roundup of our favorites!

1. Ota Memorial Museum of Art

A visit to the compact tatami rooms of the Ota Memorial Museum of Art is a must for those interested in ukiyo-e, the traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking that flourished during the Edo period. The Edo era lasted from 1603 to 1868, a period of significant economic prosperity and cultural growth across Japan, particularly in the arts. The museum is dedicated to the artist Ota Seizo, who collected a staggering 12,000 block prints during his lifetime. The prints on display are rotated every two to three months and show around 200 works at a time, so there’s always something interesting on view. The works are well curated, with English labels, and the museum’s central location—a stone’s throw from the colorful streets of Harajuku—adds an interesting contrast to the traditional art on display.

• Price: Varies (See current exhibition for details)
• Open: 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
• Where: 1-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Meiji-Jingumae
• Website: http://www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp/eng

2. Shitamachi Museum

For those seeking a little nostalgia, the Shitamachi Museum offers a glimpse of everyday life in Tokyo between the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and the Great Earthquake of 1923. The Meiji Period saw Japanese society transition from a feudal to the more modern identity it enjoys today. Comprising a number of rooms, including a sweet shop, a coppersmith’s workshop, and rows of tenement house apartments, this charming museum explores working and living conditions during this period. Visitors are encouraged to get interactive—children can play with traditional toys, while adults can view old photographs and rummage through the display’s cupboards and drawers. Small but perfectly formed, the Shitamachi Museum is a great place to incorporate into a day trip to Ueno. Ask for an English-speaking guide if needed.

• Price: ¥300 (Adults), ¥100 (Child/Student)
• Open: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
• Where: 2-1 Ueno-koen, Taito, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Ueno
• Website: https://www.taitogeibun.net/shitamachi/

3. Samurai Museum

Most people have heard of the Samurai culture through Hollywood blockbusters and pop culture, but many may not be fully familiar with its symbolic resonance in Japanese culture and the powerful history it evokes. For over 700 years, from the Kamakura (1185) to the much later Edo period, the Samurai dominated Japanese society both militarily and symbolically. The recently opened Samurai Museum in Shinjuku—a painstakingly curated, carefully designed collection featuring an impressive ensemble of costumes, swords and historical relics—helps visitors discover this fascinating history. With plenty of fun activities, including having your photograph taken in full samurai attire or witnessing a traditional sword battle, this is a great place to visit with the whole family.

• Price: ¥1,900 (Adults), ¥800 (Under 12), Free (Under 3).
• Open: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Where: 5−17−13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Shinjuku
• Website: https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/en/

4. Edo-Tokyo Museum

If you have friends visiting or are new to Japan, a visit to the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a great way to understand more about this important period. The museum tracks Tokyo’s development from a medieval town to an urban metropolis via its many artifacts and large-scale models of streets and bridges. The museum gives visitors a comprehensive overview of this 400-year pre-earthquake period through both its permanent collection and special exhibitions throughout the year, alongside a vibrant lecture and workshop program. Its impressive ornate kimono collection is also pretty special, and the free English audio guides will help non-Japanese speakers navigate the displays.

• Price: TBA
• Open: TBA
• Where: 1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo.
• Closest Station: Ryogoku
• Website: https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/

5. Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

Based in Koganei city in Western Tokyo is the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, a vast open-air historical “theme park” dedicated to exhibiting old historical buildings of cultural value that cannot be preserved in their original locations. Many of those buildings were lost to fires and air raids since the Edo period but were reconstructed at this location in their original shapes. Here, you can see old private residences, public baths, various shops and recreation facilities, including a bar and a tea room, which show how people have lived in Japan since the Edo period. Visitors can freely explore the facilities’ interiors, where time appears to have stopped centuries ago.

• Price: ¥400 (Adults), ¥320 (College), ¥200 (Students). Free for primary school and younger children
• Open: 9:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. (April-Sept), 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (October-March). Closed on Mondays.
• Where: 3-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo (inside Koganei Park)
• Closest Station: Hana-Koganei
• Website: http://www.tatemonoen.jp/english/

6. Fukagawa Edo Museum

Travel east towards Koto Ward and you’ll come across this hidden gem of a museum. The Fukagawa Edo Museum houses a replica of the neighborhood from 1840 (around the end of the Tokugawa Period). Complete with seasonal sound effects and decorations, walk through the town and feel like you have traveled back in time. There are volunteer guides on the premises who are more than happy to guide you through the different displays. Afterwards, check out the hall that goes into more detail about the Fukugawa neighborhood, complete with statistics and graphs.

• Price: ¥400 (Adults), ¥50 (primary school children and below)
• Open: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays
• Where: 1-3-28 Shirakawa, Koto, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Kiyosumi-shirakawa
• Website: https://www.kcf.or.jp/fukagawa/

7. Tokiwaso Manga Museum

Tokiwaso was once an iconic two-storey apartment building that housed many talented manga (comic) artists, including Tezuka Osamu (creator of Astro Boy) and Terada Hiroo (creator of Sebango 0). It became the spot for up-and-coming artists to live out their mangaka (comic artist) dreams and a place for friendly rivalry. Though the original building was demolished, fans came together and reconstructed it as a manga museum. Today, it’s a place to learn more about manga and anime culture through the lens of these famous artists.

• Open: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays
• Where: 3-9-22 Minaminagasaki, Toshima, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Ochiai-minami-nagasaki
• Website: https://www.tokiwasomm.jp/

8. Tokyo Waterworks Historical Museum

Learn about Tokyo’s rich history through its waterways at this free museum. Tracing back to the city’s founding (then called Edo) under Tokugawa Ieyasu, learn about the ancient techniques used to purify water and redirect it to the city’s citizens. Follow along and learn about how the city’s waterworks have changed and improved through the 17th century to the present day. It’s a unique take on the city’s history, and one that continues to improve the lives of Tokyo’s population even today.

• Price: Free
• Open: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Where: 2-7-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Suidobashi
• Website: https://www.suidorekishi.jp/

9. Shinjuku Historical Museum

At the Shinjuku Historical Museum, get a deeper understanding of how the area was before all the flashing lights and skyscrapers. The permanent exhibit features artifacts and trivia about key literary figures associated with the city ward, such as Natsume Soseki (author of Kokoro and I Am a Cat). Browse through each era from the Jomon Period to the Edo Period and Meiji Period sections. Check out the life-sized replica buildings of a former pasty shop and even a streetcar.

• Price: ¥300 (Adults), ¥100 (primary school children and below).
• Open: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Where: 12-16 Yotsuya Saneicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Yotsuya
• Website: https://www.regasu-shinjuku.or.jp/rekihaku/

10. Japanese Sword Museum

This small but well-curated museum highlights the art of Japanese swordmaking. Beyond weapons, Japanese swords have been used as symbols of faith, authority and art. Each sword represents the samurai spirit. The shape and curvature of each sword sheds light on the needs, trends and the context of that era. Made to be unbreakable, unbendable and extremely sharp, walk away from your museum visit with a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship and generations of history that go behind making one of these most unmistakable symbols of Japanese culture.

• Price: ¥1,000 (Adults), ¥500 (High school and college students), Free (primary school children and below).
• Open: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays
• Where: 1-12-9 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo
• Closest Station: Ryogoku
• Website: https://www.touken.or.jp/museum/

For a guide to Tokyo’s most unusual museums, see this article.

What’s your favorite museum in Tokyo? Share with us in the comments! 

With the warmer weather comes the perfect opportunity to explore some of the city’s most beautiful and timeless outdoor spots, full of shady nooks, stunning flowers, scenic bridges and some brilliant facilities. Hotbeds of history, Tokyo gardens merge design with Japanese philosophical and aesthetic ideals, and prove a great way to learn more about Japanese culture while enjoying the view.

Typical of Tokyo are the traditional Edo-period stroll gardens, designed to take visitors on a circular route while borrowing scenery from outside the garden, such as temples or mountains. Another key feature is the “hide-and-reveal” technique, which allows scenes to unfold as visitors reach certain viewpoints. Serene yet simple, we’ve picked some of the best to explore across the city.

1. Rikugien

© Photo by iStock: k_river

Hidden from passersby by a high brick wall, the scale of Rikugien takes you by surprise. Visitors are greeted by a colossal weeping cheery before being confronted with the stunning vista of the koi carp-filled lake and sprawling pathways leading visitors around its shoreline. Founded by literary scholar Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu in the early 18th century, “Rikugien” means “garden of the six principles of poetry” and was originally home to 88 miniature views taken from the Japanese landscape. While only a few of these scenes remain, its meticulous construction has resulted in a gorgeous, serene space. It’s not a spot for picnics or ball games—a horticultural enthusiast’s delight—June is the perfect time to see its blossoming blue hydrangeas and pink azaleas.

The formal aspects of Rikugien are not the whole story. The wilder areas around the garden’s perimeter—where stepping stones lead to shadier, tree-lined pathways—are fun to explore. Embrace the idyll and sip a cup of green tea at the charming Fukiage-chaya tea-house overlooking the lake or grab a bench in a secluded spot to watch the world go by.

• Where: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 10-minute walk from Komagome Station.
• Open: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Entry fee: ¥300

2. Koishikawa Korakuen

© Photo by iStock: RnDmS

Nestled among the baseball diamonds surrounding Tokyo Dome, Koishikawa Korakuen offers a moment’s peace from its otherwise hectic surroundings. Slightly smaller than Rikugien, it shares many of its stroll-around-the-garden features. It, too, has a lake as its centerpiece and some stunning flower displays (its purple irises are particularly pretty), but what differentiates this garden from others is its roots in Chinese culture.

Its design was overseen in the early seventeenth century by a refugee from the Ming dynasty and scholar Zhu Shun Shui, which explains its mingling of Japanese and Chinese features and, most memorably, its romantic Full Moon Bridge. Along with the rice paddies, the pretty waterways and the lashings of mosquito repellent provided at the ticket office, it’s a lovely, peaceful getaway right in the heart of the city.

• Where: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 3-minute walk from Iidabashi Station or 8-minute walk from Korakuen Station.
• Open: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Entry fee: ¥300

3. The Garden At Nezu Museum

A true urban oasis, this stunning garden is a highlight of any trip to the Nezu Museum. Located in the stylish hub of Omotesando, the museum was formerly Nezu Kaichiro’s private residence, and now, it houses his collection of Asian and Japanese art. Winding walkways, stone lanterns, paving stones and a bamboo grove all provide different viewpoints to explore around the hilly garden, filled with stone sculptures and a number of preserved tea houses.

Perhaps most interesting is the beautiful juxtaposition between the garden’s vivid greens and classical features and the museum’s modern glass architecture. The café, serving lunch and cakes, is also a great place to enjoy the garden.

• Where: 6-5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
• Access: 8-minute walk from Omotesando Station, exit A5.
• Open: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays.
• Entry fee: Pay for an exhibition entry (check their schedule)

4. Kiyosumi Teien

© Photo by Pixta: Masa

Originally the residence of an Edo-era merchant, the gorgeous Kiyosumi Teien has lots of features that make it an ideal spot for children. Its character comes from the many isowatari, or stepping stones, which cross parts of the lake, allowing visitors to pick their way through the turtle- and carp-filled waters, discovering the small inlets that surround the lake’s shores. Landscape stones were symbols of prestige and power, and the garden was once renowned for its impressive collection.

Be sure to visit the Ryotei, a traditional Japanese restaurant that seems to float on the lake itself (don’t forget to make a reservation) or linger over the many types of trees. There are over 4,000 here, particularly Japanese black pine.

• Where: 3-3-10, Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 3-minute walk from Kiyosumi Shirakawa Station
• Open: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Entry fee: ¥150

5. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Most of us tend to think of Shinjuku Gyoen as a vast park, but it’s in fact a garden, as its operators will persistently correct you. Sprawling across central Tokyo, this picturesque garden is one of the city’s most popular destinations for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) and autumn leaf picnics alike. Yet despite its popularity, it’s still a welcome escape from the urban chaos unfolding beyond its borders.

Shinjuku Gyoen was once a private residence and a botanical garden, before being completely destroyed during World War II. Reopening to the public in 1949, it certainly proves good value for money: as well as a traditional Japanese park, complete with bridges, ponds and fountains, there’s also a formal French garden and an English landscape green space with wide, open lawns. Peruse its beautiful greenhouse full of tropical plants or check out its information center and art gallery. With its range of spaces to explore, a pretty tea-house and central location, Shinjuku Gyoen is the perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday exploring.

• Where: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 5-minute walk from Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station.
• Open: 9 a.m.-6:30p.m. Closed Mondays.
• Entry fee: ¥500

What are your favorite Tokyo gardens or parks? Share with us in the comments!

I first arrived in Tokyo late at night, completely disoriented as I was spat out of the rabbit-warren that is Shimbashi Station. My first impression, alongside the standard bright neon lights, was how tall everything was. With over 175 skyscrapers over 150 meters, Tokyo’s skyline is a vast, soaring affair, putting it at number nine on a list of cities with the most skyscrapers. While Tokyo definitely has pockets of tradition and charm, its overwhelming architecture is futuristic, modern and sleek.

Within this dense urban landscape, Japanese architects favor building designs that stick out. Architecture competitions commonly stipulate rules that steer design away from the typical concrete skyscraper route, instead favoring light-filled, airy structures that take the weight out of the city. As a result, Tokyo’s cityscape has many unusual and beautiful modern buildings, designed to inspire and surprise. Here’s our pick of some of the most unique ones.

1. Dear Ginza

© Photo by Amano Design Office

Designed by the Amano Design Office, this striking building was made to draw attention to a quiet Ginza side street. This peaceful lane runs alongside a much busier thoroughfare in central Ginza, offering a different kind of urban experience. Walkers will notice jagged triangular edges jutting out, plus scattered square windows covering the building’s right-hand side. Its folded geometric face resembles a “crumpled up street wrapper,” a form created using computer algorithms. However, the flower-like pattern softens its appearance, blending technology with an unexpectedly delicate design.

The building is used for both shops and offices, bringing some activity to the otherwise subdued Gaslight Street area. Compared to Ginza’s hectic main street, this area is more serene, with less foot traffic and noise. The architects aimed to give passersby a “slight feeling of strangeness” to lure them toward the building. This feeling, they hoped, would also encourage exploration of the charming side street itself.

Where: Ginza-1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

2. Sugamo Shinkin Bank’s Shimura Branch

© Photo by Kikukawa

Nicknamed the “Rainbow Bank,” this cheerful and colorful building, designed by Emmanuelle Moureaux, is one of Tokyo’s happiest spots. The building features 14 layers of brightly colored vertical louvers that shift in appearance depending on the angle and time of day. Inside, natural light filters through the colored panels, casting vibrant patterns across the floors and walls. While it serves as a functioning bank, it also symbolizes openness and community.

Where: 2-4-16 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo

3. Prada’s Aoyama Building

© Photo by iStock: chris-mueller

Designed by Herzog & De Meuron, the coruscating kaleidoscope-like Prada Building is one of the city’s most magnificent urban landmarks. Following Rem Koolhaas’ Prada Flagship Store New York, Prada wanted to create something similarly inspiring for its Aoyama store. The architects hope to “reshape both the concept and function of shopping, pleasure and communication, to encourage the meshing of consumption and culture.” Reminiscent of a crystal, the five-sided facade, with its signature varying diamond-shaped green glass panes, effortlessly sparkles, particularly on sunny days. Highly decorative whilst still being functional, the building also serves as an optical illusion. For those walking by, some of the curved glass panes appear to move. This grid-like structure is also intended to inspire a slight shita-machi (downtown) vibe to the building.

Where: 5-2-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

4. Mode Gakuen Shinjuku Cocoon

© Photo by iStock: YASEMIN OZDEMIR

At 204 meters high, the shining, lattice-fronted Shinjuku Cocoon is the second-highest educational building in the world. From the outside, this sleek, metallic structure might not seem like an education facility, but it’s actually home to three schools. The result of a competition, with one stipulation being that the building could not be rectangular. The winning proposal was from Tange Associates, who created the cocoon-like structure to symbolize the nurturing function of their building. According to the architect, the incubating form is designed to help students ‘create, grow and transform.’ The combination of white aluminum and dark blue glass creates its shell-like appearance. The design earned the firm the Emporis.com 2008 Skyscraper of the Year Award. Surely, one of the world’s weirdest yet inspiring places to study.

Where: 1-7-3 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

5. Gyre Omotesando

© Photo by MVRDV

Gyre is a high-end shopping center in Omotesando that aims to make its visitors stop and think. Also known as ‘The Swirl’ and opening in 2007, the structure was designed by Dutch architects. They intended to create ‘a new shopping experience: the vertical promenade.’ Upward external staircases circle the building, creating a sense of movement as they link the multiple terraces and shops. Designed to look like a set of stacked boxes, rotating around a central, vertical axis, the nine-storey building, with three basement levels, is also renowned for its interior, a light-filled space with large paneled windows, which makes it a beautiful, clean structure both inside and out.

Where: 5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

6. Fuji TV Building

© Photo by iStock: Sean Pavone

This instantly recognisable building in Odaiba is Fuji Television’s headquarters and a well-known symbol of futuristic Japanese architecture. Completed in 1996 by famed architect Kenzo Tange, it consists of interconnected blocks, skywalks and a striking silver sphere. That iconic sphere isn’t decorative—it’s a 100-seat observation room suspended high above the city. While most areas are for staff only, the first and seventh floors, plus the sphere, are open to visitors. These accessible areas offer a behind-the-scenes look at one of Japan’s most influential television networks. Thanks to its interlocking design and sheer scale, the building has become a favorite subject for photographers. It’s especially eye-catching at night, when the glowing observatory sphere lights up like a sci-fi moon in the skyline.

Where: 2-4-8 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo

7. SunnyHills Minami-Aoyama

© Photo by iStock: chris-mueller

Designed by Kengo Kuma, this pineapple cake shop is wrapped in a lattice of hinoki (Japanese cypress) using traditional wooden joinery techniques with no nails or glue. The structure is a masterclass in sustainable architecture, with the open wooden facade inviting natural light and airflow. It blends old-world craftsmanship with modern design, giving the illusion of a forest structure growing in the city.

Where: 3-10-20 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

8. Sumida Hokusai Museum

© Photo by iStock: Ryosei Watanabe

Dedicated to the ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai, this sleek building near Ryogoku was designed by Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA. It appears as a cluster of metallic geometric blocks that reflect the sky and surroundings, making it change appearance throughout the day. The museum’s narrow crevices and mirrored surfaces create a sense of intrigue and exploration fitting for the work of Tokyo’s most internationally celebrated artist.

Where: 2-7-2 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

9. Asakusa Culture & Tourism Center

© Photo by iStock: voyata

Located just across from the iconic Kaminarimon Gate, this seven-story structure was designed by Kengo Kuma, a renowned Japanese architect. His goal was to mimic the look of traditional homes stacked vertically, creating a sense of heritage within modern architecture. The black slatted facade and sharp rooflines give the building a bold presence in Asakusa’s otherwise historic streetscape. Additionally, the free observation deck offers sweeping views of Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Skytree, which are especially beautiful at sunset. Inside, visitors will find tourist information services, an event space and a relaxing café open to the public. Overall, it’s a thoughtful blend of tradition and function—perfect for travelers seeking both views and insight into the area.

Where: 2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo

10. Reiyukai Shakaden Temple

© Photo by iStock: kuremo

This futuristic temple, completed in 1975, houses the spiritual headquarters of the Reiyukai Buddhist organization. Its bold geometric shape and black granite exterior look more like a spaceship than a traditional place of worship, but the inside is peaceful and calming. The temple also has one of the largest water reservoirs in Tokyo, hidden underneath the building, meant to aid the city in emergencies.

Where: 1-7-8 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo

What is the most unique Tokyo architecture you’ve ever seen? Let us know in the comments.

If you’re a freelancer working from home or you’re starting to feel a bit bored with your everyday office environment — provided that you work for a company that doesn’t necessarily need you to sit in your office chair to prove that you’re getting the job done — chances are the draining summer heat isn’t proving conducive to long periods of concentration and you find yourself dreaming of a quick escape.

Working away from the office is not only about concentration. A recent article from The Guardian stressed that working outside has various positive effects on people because they spend time around others which proves a vital way to weather work-related stress. With this in mind, spending time in co-working environments, even if sitting amongst complete strangers, is a great way to stay upbeat and not feel overwhelmed by your workload.

Here are our picks of the best social spots in Tokyo to get your work done fast.

1. Communal work spaces

Tokyo has an abundance of co-working spaces, which for a small fee allow you to rent a desk space for a day, week or year. Handy websites such as Copass and coworker.com are great ways to discover local destinations which are close to home and can be used cheaply, giving you a sense of office camaraderie without working full time.

I personally love Editory with its shared communal spaces, kitchen, and speakers, as well as Connecting the Dots, just a few minutes walk from Yoyogi Park. Co-ba in Shibuya also has a relaxed vibe, with big wooden tables and regular events for those using the space to meet one another. Central locations like this make these spots great places to spend the afternoon, before meeting friends for drinks or dinner.

2. Bookshops

Plenty of bookshops in Tokyo now have working areas and coffee shops integrated into the shop floor, making them an ideal place to not just work but be inspired by the people and books around you. A very obvious contender for the best bookshop to work on is the brilliant Daikanyama T-Site, which has virtually become a pilgrimage site for like-minded freelancers working across the city. With its multiple floors, sections, cafes, and areas to work, it’s a great base for solitary focus and meetings alike. The Tsutaya at Nakameguro is also a good, slightly smaller place to work from, as is the new Tsutaya Electrics in Futakotamagawa. For a slightly less busy option, try part bookshop, part cafe Niko and… close to Shibuya, which has plenty of plugs and large communal tables.

3. Cafes

It may seem an obvious choice, but finding a cafe with decent wifi, multiple plug sockets and an ambiance conducive to hard work can be tricky. But various chains and independent options manage to get the balance just right between a crowded, noisy affair and a silent, intense atmosphere.

I love City Bakery, with its various spots in Ginza, Shinagawa, and Nakameguro, which incidentally proves a great place for meetings. Try the Tenoha complex in Daikanyama which has various indoor and outdoor locations to work in, as well as great shops and cafes to keep you entertained in your breaks. Lattest Omotesando is also a great option for those wanting to escape the beaten track, with great coffee and baristas, good wifi and a laptop-friendly vibe.

4. Libraries

For some good old-fashioned focusing, the serene and silent atmosphere of a city library may be more up your street. Tokyo has some great public libraries; the Tokyo Metropolitan Libraries includes both Central library in Hibiya, as well as the slightly smaller Tama Library with a very clear English website giving instructions about how to use their services. For a more unusual option, the Tokyo National Diet Library, also in Hibiya, is a good, central option and allows one-day membership. Or for those who have membership to the Tokyo American Club, they have a fantastic library with lots of events for children too.

For more ideas for helpful work space options in your area, workfrom curates a selection of cafes, book shops, and communal workspaces that are perfect for freelancers in Tokyo — be it group friendly spots, cafes serving food or alcohol, outdoor areas or eacon-equipped spaces. Happy working!

Summer in the city can be a stressful affair. The combination of heat, tourists and rain means Tokyo’s sightseeing hotspots become instantly crowded, and you may be tempted to hunker down in a park or pool until September. But Tokyo is host to a range of interesting, unusual exhibitions this summer — and if you’re savvy about your visit, you might just have the whole gallery to yourself. With no shortage of fantastic artwork to peruse, and with subjects as wide as architecture, twentieth-century sculpture or Indian photography, it’s the perfect way to wile away a summer’s day.

1. Dayanita Singh at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

Dayanita Singh. “I Am As I Am”, 1999, Collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.

Explore the pioneering work of Indian photographer Dayanita Singh. First working as a photojournalist, Singh grew tired of the frequently exoticised representations of her homeland, and moved to art photography in the late 1990s. Now, she is renowned for her striking, honest work, which forms the subject of her first solo exhibition in Japan, Museum Bhavan. The exhibition focuses on the ‘portable museum’: a traveling family of movable wooden structures where monochrome prints are displayed and rearranged from gallery to gallery. Here, documentary and fiction collide, providing the visitor with multiple viewing experiences and asking larger questions about the ethos of the museum industry. It’s a thought-provoking and beautiful show, which stresses the possibilities of the photographic medium while considering issues such as class, gender and prejudice.

When: Until Mon, July 17, 2017
Open: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Where: Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Ebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥800 (Adults), ¥700 (College students), ¥600 (High school students/Over 65 years old)

2. Giacometti at the National Art Center

Alberto Giacometti, Walking Man I, Bronze, 1960, Collection Fondation Marguerite et Aimé Maeght, Saint-Paul de Vence, Saint-Paul de Vence, France.

Don’t miss this retrospective from the sculptural heavyweight, Alberto Giacometti, one of the first of its kind on Japanese soil. An admirer of African sculpture, Cubism and Surrealist art, Giacometti developed a style entirely his own in the 1930s. Peruse his captivating, elongated sculptures, strongly influenced with philosophical ideas such as existentialism and phenomenology. The exhibition boasts 132 selected works, from his recognizable sculptures to lesser known sketches and prints, giving a well rounded picture of the Swiss artist’s fascinating work.

The National Art Centre is a great spot to explore, with great facilities, shops and places to eat. While there, you can check out one of its many other exhibitions, such as Sunshower: Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia 1980s to Now, which starts on July 5th.

When: Wed, June 14 – Mon, September 4, 2017
Open: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
Where: The National Art Center, Tokyo (Kokuritsu-Shin-Bijutsukan), 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥1,600 (Adults), ¥1,200 (College students), ¥800 (High school students)

3. Japan, Archipelago of Houses at the Rouault Gallery

Fresh from a successful tour of Europe and organized by a group of French architects, this unusual exhibition offers a compelling evaluation of Japanese domestic architecture, carefully documenting the evolution of the Japanese home. Split into three parts, each section charts the architectural developments from traditional to modern structures through detailed examples, nodding to the interplay between Japanese and Western influences, and focusing on the key philosophies that imbue the Japanese aesthetic. Each section features striking photographs and videos, as well as blueprints and interviews with architects and homeowners. A must for architecture fans and those keen to learn more about the buildings we walk by everyday.

When: Until Sun, June 25, 2017
Open: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.
Where: Shiodome Museum Rouault Gallery, 1-5-1 Higashi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥800 (Adults), ¥600 (College students), ¥200 yen (High School Students)

4. Luigi Ghirri at the Taka Ishii Gallery

Luigi Ghirri, “Sassuolo” (Serie: Diaframma 11, 1/125 luce naturale), 1975, C-print, image size: 15.5 x 19.2 cm © Eredi di Luigi Ghirri

Italian artist Luigi Ghirri’s enigmatic prints are the focus of this brilliant, compact solo show — “Works from the 1970s.” Influenced by the conceptual art of the sixties, Ghirri’s work proves delightfully playful, through his collaborations with other artists and experiments with crops and frames. His color photographs consider the subtle balance between the real and the imaginary, asking questions about the place of the image within society. With a wide range of subject matter, from women looking at work in a gallery space to posters in public spaces, these works are pervaded with a sense of mystery and the unknown, which makes viewing them all the more intriguing.

The Taka Ishii Gallery is a perfect pitstop after a stroll around Roppongi’s many galleries, shops and restaurants; be sure to pop downstairs to see what the Tomio Koyama Gallery has on display, which is also free entry.

When: Until Sat, Jun 24, 2017
Open: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Where: Taka Ishii Gallery, 6-5-24 3F Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: Free

5. Bruegel at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Pieter · Brügel I. ”Tower of Babel” around 1568. Oil on board. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Head to the Tokyo Met to see Bruegel the Elder’s painstakingly detailed oil painting, the “Tower of Babel.” An incredible 1,400 figures populate this work, on loan from Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans and in Japan for the first time. It’s not just Bruegel on show here; the display comprises of close to one hundred paintings from sixteenth century Netherlandish painting, set against the leafy backdrop of Ueno park. The highlight for many visitors is the chance to get up close to the unsettling and often frightening work of Hieronymus Bosch, Bruegel’s predecessor who provides a fascinating starting point to not only the detail, but the macabre subject matter that was often popular in early Renaissance culture. Marrying intense realism with hellish subject matter, you really need to see these works in the flesh to appreciate them.

When: Until Sun, July 2, 2017
Open: 9.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Where: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 8-36 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥1,400 (Adults), ¥1,100 (College students), ¥600 yen (High School Students)

Visiting any of these exhibitions? Share your unique photos via Instagram at @savvytokyo. Enjoy!

It was Picasso who said that the purpose of art is “to wash the dust of daily life off our souls.” While living in Tokyo is an adventure in itself, there’s no doubt that a trip to a gallery can help inspire and invigorate. With Golden Week coming up, this may be the perfect time for you to lose yourself in one of the city’s cool art galleries or museums for some extra spark — you know, for when the holidays are over. From intimate shows in quieter suburbs to blockbuster exhibitions, there’s a whole lot of art in town. So here are five exhibits to get out and see over the holiday — all guaranteed to give you a creative lift.

© Photo by © Elizabeth Peyton; Sadie Coles HQ, London; Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels

Behind The Many Popular Faces

Elizabeth Peyton: Still Life At The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art

In the depths of downtown Tokyo lies the cultural gem of the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art and its current exhibition, showing the mesmerizing portraits of American artist Elizabeth Peyton, is not to be missed. Sparsely curated, this is the perfect place for a peaceful afternoon spent solo. Enjoy a coffee in the pretty sculpture garden, and become immersed in the thoughtful and striking paintings and drawings of Peyton’s friends and family. You may recognize a few familiar faces too — Peyton’s work includes a number of celebs, artists and writers. The museum also includes a small permanent collection tucked into surprising locations, which is bound to make you smile. It’s worth a visit for the shop alone, crammed full of art-inspired trinkets, books and posters.

Date

Until Sun, May 7, 2017

Time

Tue-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Wed)

Location

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, 4-7-25 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku,

Fee

¥1,100 (general), ¥700 (university), ¥500 (high school)

More Info

© Photo by Alfons Mucha, The Slav Epic, The Slavs in their Original Homeland, 1912 ©Prague City Gallery

A Look Into The Slav Epic

Alfons Mucha At The National Art Center Tokyo

One of the Czech Republic's most prolific artists, Alfons Mucha is the star of his own exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo. A strong patriot and an influential art nouveau painter, Mucha is renowned for his graphic-style posters from fin-de-siecle Paris. But it’s his later work, “The Slav Epic,” that is the focus of this exhibition — a staggering series of twenty large canvases that depict the history of the Slav people from ancient to modern times. And it’s really something. Dreamlike monumental canvases of deep purples and soft yellows fill the walls, enveloping visitors in fascinating stories with an array of characters and settings. This is the first time these works have been displayed outside of the Czech Republic — don’t miss your chance to be catapulted into these surreal, stunning worlds in Tokyo.

Date

Until Mon, June 5, 2017

Time

10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Mon, Wed, Sat & Sun), Until 8 p.m. on Fri.

Location

The National Art Center, Tokyo 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku

Fee

¥1,600 (general), ¥1,200 (university), ¥800 (high school)

More Info

The Mystery Of Japanese Tea

Chanoyu: The Arts of Tea Ceremony, The Essence of Japan At The Tokyo National Museum

The Chanoyu — The Arts of Tea Ceremony, The Essence of Japan is a unique exhibition that focuses on the history of tea and the tea ceremony, as it developed from the Muromachi era to modern days. The first — and largest — exhibition on tea ceremony held at the Tokyo National Museum since 1980, Chanoyu displays various tea ceremony tools, cups and other rare exhibits, showing how tea was used throughout the history of Japan. The exhibit is a unique opportunity to witness how the tea ceremony has developed over time and why Japan still considers tea one of its most significant cultural assets.

Date

Until Sun, June 4, 2017

Time

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri, Sat & May 3 & 4 until 9 p.m.

Location

Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum, 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito-ku

Fee

¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,200 (university), ¥900 (HS), Free (JHS & under)

More Info

© Photo by Maurice Denis, Les Muses, 1893 huile sur toile 171x137.5 | © Musee d’Orsay

A Taste Of Paris

Orsay Nabi At The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum

For a taste of Paris, head to this great little show on loan from the home of French impressionism, the Musée d’Orsay. Focusing on the work of the avant-garde artist group known as the Nabis, the exhibition features paintings, portraits and some sculpture by Bonnard, Vuillard and other French artists of the 1890s. For those in the know, there are some interesting parallels with Japanese art of the period, too. Despite being based in Paris, the group were hugely influenced by traditional Japanese printmaking. From Parisian cafés to colorful interiors, intimate nudes and leafy park scenes, you’ll be transported to urban France in no time — just don’t forget to sample the pâtisserie selection in the ornate Cafe 1894 on your way out.

Date

Until May 21, 2017

Time

10 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Fri). Closed Mon

Location

Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, 2-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku

Fee

¥1,700 (general), ¥1,000 (university), ¥500 (high school)

More Info

© Photo by Asakura Museum of Sculpture, Tokyo

A Date With The Sculptor

The Regular Exhibit At The Asakura Museum of Sculpture

Although not strictly a temporary exhibition, spring is the perfect time to visit the serene Asakura Museum of Sculpture, a few minutes walk from Nippori station. The former studio and residence of Japanese sculpture Asakura Fumio is now a gorgeous museum with a rooftop garden, courtyard and gallery space, where Asakura’s sculptures are on view. Wander through Asakura’s traditional tatami rooms, which overlook a stunning ornamental pond complete with koi. It’s a strict shoes off policy, but this only adds to the laid back, relaxed feel of this space. The staff all speak English and are happy to regale anecdotes about Asakura and his home. This is a great neighborhood to explore, full of pretty side streets and unusual galleries. For those wanting something more modern, Scai the Bathhouse is a stone’s throw away — or head to the Yanaka cemetery and the scattering of museums and galleries on the Ueno Art Trail.

Date

Daily except Mon & Thu.

Time

9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Location

Asakura Museum of Sculpture, 7-18-10, Yanaka, Taito-ku

Fee

¥500

More Info

Seeing any of these exhibitions? Share the love by sending us your best photos through Facebook or Instagram with a hashtag #SavvyTokyo. Enjoy!