Introducing Museums and Art Galleries Around HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU in Ueno and Nezu
Hello from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU!
As autumn deepens, it’s time to start preparing for the cold weather. While heading outside on a chilly day may seem a bit challenging, how about spending some quiet time at an art gallery or museum where you can stay warm indoors?
The museums and galleries we’re introducing today not only allow you to enjoy exhibits, but also offer the chance to relax over lunch or tea, chat, and even shop for exclusive goods. You can enjoy these venues from various perspectives.
① Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
- Located just a short walk from the JR Ueno Station Park Gate, head toward the main entrance of Ueno Zoo, and you’ll spot the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum on your right just before the gate.
This building, with its red brick, Western-style architecture, was constructed about 50 years ago in 1975.
At this museum, you can enjoy a variety of exhibitions, with a focus on curated and special exhibitions organized by the museum itself. Additionally, there are regularly held exhibitions from public groups and school-related organizations. Since there are no permanent exhibits, the museum offers around 13 outdoor sculptures that are displayed year-round.
When I visited, the exhibition “The Whispering Land: Artists in Correspondence with Nature” was on display. This exhibition featured five contemporary artists deeply engaged with nature, showcasing works in various forms such as photography, woodcuts, oil paintings, and installations.
The exhibition included works like prints made by applying ink to the cross-section of wood, and photographs capturing the life of plants and animals by an artist from Hokkaido, highlighting the intimate connection with the natural world.
As the exhibitions change regularly, it’s a good idea to check the museum’s official website to see what’s currently being showcased before your visit.
Museum Name: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Closed: The 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month (if a public holiday or substitute holiday falls on a Monday, it will be closed the following day)
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry by 5:00 PM)
Admission Fee: Varies by exhibition, so please check the exhibition details on the official website for current prices.
② NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
Located within Ueno Park, the National Museum of Nature and Science is easily accessible from JR Ueno Station’s Park Exit. Head towards the main entrance of Ueno Zoo, pass in front of the National Museum of Western Art, and turn right at the intersection. The museum will be on the right.
The museum has separate entrances for its permanent and special exhibitions, and it tends to be quite crowded.
As one of Japan’s oldest museums, the National Museum of Nature and Science is the country’s only national comprehensive science museum focusing on natural history and the history of science and technology.
The permanent exhibits are divided into the “Japan Gallery,” where visitors can learn about Japan’s ecosystems, the characteristics of its people, and its history, and the “Global Gallery,” which focuses on the history of life on Earth and humanity. The museum features free-flowing exhibits, allowing visitors to explore in any order they prefer.
The rooftop Herb Garden in the Global Gallery features a variety of herbs, including those for medicinal, culinary, dye, and flavoring purposes. From the adjacent Sky Deck, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Ueno area.
Please note that the garden may be closed due to weather conditions.
The special exhibitions vary depending on the time of year, so please check the official website for the latest information.
Museum Name: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
Closed: Every Monday (If Monday is a public holiday, the museum will be closed on Tuesday)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission is at 4:30 PM)
Admission Fee: Varies depending on the exhibition. Please check the exhibition information on the official website.
③ National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western Art is located just to the right as you exit the park gate of JR Ueno Station. It is a museum dedicated to Western art, founded in 1959 based on the Matsukata Collection. The museum features Western paintings from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century, as well as modern French sculptures, particularly those by Rodin.
A great feature of the museum is that you can check the specific artworks on display via their official website. The paintings are organized by era, and there are also thematic exhibitions focused on genres like landscape painting, allowing visitors to enjoy the art in a smooth and engaging flow.
Unlike many museums and art galleries that can feel a bit formal, the National Museum of Western Art offers a more approachable environment for everyone to enjoy the history of Western art. The titles of the paintings and brief descriptions are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, ensuring that visitors from various backgrounds can comfortably enjoy the exhibitions without language barriers.
The museum also features a museum shop, where you can find a variety of museum merchandise, including catalogues of the museum’s collections and past exhibitions.
The book corner at the National Museum of Western Art offers around 2,000 different books, catering to everyone from children to art researchers. Many of these books are exclusive to the museum, making it a unique place to find special editions.
Exhibitions change depending on the season, so be sure to check the official website for the latest information.
Museum Name: National Museum of Western Art
Closed: Every Monday (If Monday is a public holiday, the museum remains open and closes the following weekday)
Opening Hours:
9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Admission Fees: Free for International Museum Day (May 18) and Culture Day (November 3). Free admission applies only to the permanent collection.
General: ¥500
University Students: ¥250 (Permanent exhibition admission)
Free admission for high school students, those under 18, people over 65, and those with disabilities (plus one caregiver)
Special exhibitions are charged separately. Admission for special exhibitions also covers the permanent collection.
The second Sunday of each month is free for the permanent collection, known as Kawasaki Free Sunday.
④ SCAI THE BATH HOUSE
Located just a 10-minute walk from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU, this gallery was converted from a former public bathhouse into a space dedicated to contemporary art.
As you head towards Yanaka Cemetery, you’ll spot a large gray sign reading “SCAI THE BATHHOUSE” on the side of the building at the corner of the street. The exterior features a traditional roof and an old fireplace, offering a stark contrast to the spacious and sophisticated interior.
At the entrance, posters for various exhibitions are displayed, and the original wooden shoe lockers and tiles from the bathhouse era are preserved, offering a glimpse into the past.
As you enter the exhibition rooms, you are transported back to the present. Passing through the glass doors, you can see the first exhibition room and the reception area, which was once where the bathhouse check-in took place. The second exhibition room features displays that combine video, sound, and various instruments, allowing for a deeper engagement with the art.
This contemporary art museum hosts a wide range of artists, both domestic and international. It is not just a museum but also a venue for regular music events and artistic performances, further enhancing the cultural experience.
Museum Name: SCAI THE BATH HOUSE
Closed Days: Please check the official website for corridor hours.
Opening Hours: Please check the official website for corridor hours.
Admission Fee: Varies depending on the exhibition; please refer to the official website for exhibition details.
This time, we introduced art facilities around the hotel.
Museums and art galleries offer a variety of exhibitions, from limited-time special exhibitions to year-round displays. Whether you prefer to quietly enjoy the space on your own or share the experience with someone, reflecting on art from different perspectives, these facilities provide the perfect setting. All the facilities we introduced are located nearby, so it’s possible to explore them all in a single day. These are valuable places where you can easily enjoy art and learn about history, so we highly recommend visiting them.