Nezu Museum
Quick answer
Nezu Museum in Tokyo, Japan — the Nezu Museum was founded in 1941 to preserve Tobu Railway president Kaichirō Nezu's collection. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: ¥1,500 standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Nezu Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | ¥1,500 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 10 AM, or autumn for garden maples. |
| Getting there | Metro: Chiyoda Line to Omotesando — 10-minute walk through Aoyama |
| Address | 6-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan |
| Official website | nezu-muse.or.jp |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Nezu Museum known for?
The Nezu Museum in Tokyo's Aoyama district houses the collection of industrialist Kaichirō Nezu (1860–1940) — pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art in a museum rebuilt by Kengo Kuma in 2009. The garden alone justifies the visit.
The collection of over 7,400 objects includes Buddhist sculpture, Chinese bronzes, Japanese painting, tea ceremony utensils, and lacquerware. Nezu collected during the early 20th century when masterpieces were still available on the market.
Kengo Kuma's building uses bamboo screens, natural light, and a low profile to frame the garden — a contemplative contrast to Tokyo's bustle. The garden path winds past tea houses, stone lanterns, and maple trees.
Admission includes the garden. The museum is a 10-minute walk from Omotesando — combine with a morning in Aoyama.
Best for: Art Lovers · Garden Enthusiasts · Quiet seekers
How long do you need at Nezu Museum?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Nezu Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Covered Jar with Dragon Design
📍 Chinese art gallery
A bronze ritual vessel from ancient China — part of Nezu's exceptional Chinese bronzes collection spanning three millennia.
- 2
Kakiemon Dish
📍 Japanese art gallery
Imari and Kakiemon porcelain from the early Edo period — part of the museum's refined decorative arts holding.
- 3
Wooden Buddhist Statue
📍 Buddhist sculpture gallery
Carved wood Buddhist figures from the Heian and Kamakura periods — serene expressions and refined carving typical of the collection.
- 4
Nezu Garden
📍 Exterior garden
A 17,000 m² traditional garden with tea houses, stone paths, and seasonal maples — designed to be viewed from the museum's glass-walled galleries and walked after viewing the collection.
What are the must-see works at Nezu Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Covered Jar with Dragon Design, Kakiemon Dish, Wooden Buddhist Statue and more.
Covered Jar with Dragon Design
Chinese bronze · Zhou dynasty
📍 Chinese art gallery
A bronze ritual vessel from ancient China — part of Nezu's exceptional Chinese bronzes collection spanning three millennia.
Kakiemon Dish
Japanese porcelain · 17th century
📍 Japanese art gallery
Imari and Kakiemon porcelain from the early Edo period — part of the museum's refined decorative arts holding.
Wooden Buddhist Statue
Japanese · Heian period
📍 Buddhist sculpture gallery
Carved wood Buddhist figures from the Heian and Kamakura periods — serene expressions and refined carving typical of the collection.
Nezu Garden
Traditional Japanese · ongoing
📍 Exterior garden
A 17,000 m² traditional garden with tea houses, stone paths, and seasonal maples — designed to be viewed from the museum's glass-walled galleries and walked after viewing the collection.
Collections and highlights
- • Pre-modern Japanese painting and calligraphy
- • Chinese bronzes and ceramics
- • Buddhist sculpture
- • Tea ceremony utensils and lacquerware
- • Kengo Kuma 2009 museum building
- • Traditional Japanese garden — 17,000 m²
- • 7,400+ objects in the collection
Tips for visiting Nezu Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 10 AM, or autumn for garden maples. Avoid Monday when closed.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Quiet — one of Tokyo's least crowded major museums. Garden popular in cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
¥1,300 standard including garden at nezu-muse.or.jp. Special exhibitions priced separately.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Nezu Café in the museum; Omotesando and Aoyama restaurants 10 minutes away.
- 5.
Accessibility
Gallery accessible; garden paths have steps and gravel — limited wheelchair access to full garden circuit.
How do you get to Nezu Museum?
- metro Chiyoda Line to Omotesando — 10-minute walk through Aoyama
- metro Hanzomon Line to Omotesando (Exit A5) — 8-minute walk
- walk Near Nezu Kaichirō Shrine; 15 minutes from Meiji Jingu forest
Address: 6-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
Nezu Museum: frequently asked questions
Is the garden included?
Yes, the Nezu garden is one of the most beautiful private gardens in Tokyo.
Are tickets timed?
Yes, advance online tickets with a time slot are required.
How long should I spend at Nezu Museum?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of Nezu Museum. Our 4-stop route — Covered Jar with Dragon Design, Kakiemon Dish, Wooden Buddhist Statue and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Nezu Museum best known for?
The Nezu Museum was founded in 1941 to preserve Tobu Railway president Kaichirō Nezu's collection. Kengo Kuma's serenely austere building reopened in 2009 around the original Nezu garden. Key highlights include Irises by Ogata Kōrin, Nezu garden and tea houses, Kengo Kuma architecture.
How do I get tickets for Nezu Museum?
Admission: ¥1,500 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/
Is the garden included in admission?
Yes — the traditional Japanese garden is included in the standard ticket. Most visitors view the collection first, then walk the garden path.
How does Nezu compare to Tokyo National Museum?
TNM in Ueno is vast and encyclopedic. Nezu is intimate — pre-modern East Asian art and a superb garden in a Kengo Kuma building. Ideal for a contemplative half-morning.
When is the garden at its best?
Autumn for maple foliage and spring for cherry blossoms. The garden is beautiful year-round but these seasons draw the most photographers.
Is Nezu Museum open on Mondays?
No — Nezu Museum is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Nezu Museum's opening hours?
Nezu Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Nezu Museum free to visit?
No — standard admission is ¥1,500 standard admission.
