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Tokyo National Museum

A visit to the Tokyo National Museum is a great chance to see and learn about Asian and Middle Eastern art and culture.

Here's what you need to know to get you started:

• Regular opening hours are from 09:30 - 17:00, with last entry being at 16:30.
• Tokyo National Museum is closed every Monday, unless Monday is a national holiday on the Japanese calendar. In this case the museum will be open on Monday and closed the following Tuesday. The museum is also closed over the New Year period from December 28 to January 2.
• Access is easiest on the Yamanote line via Ueno station. Just follow the signs.
• Admission fees are: Adults ¥600; University students ¥400; High school students and younger enter for free; Senior citizens of 70 years and above enter for free. If you want to enter one of the special exhibitions there is usually a separate entry fee. Entry is free for all visitors on International Museum Day, May 18. When May 18 is a Monday, the discount day will be moved to the following Tuesday, May 19.

Permanent Exhibitions And Galleries

The five main galleries at the Tokyo National Museum are the Honkan, the Toyokan, the Heiseikan, the Gallery of Horyugi Treasures and the Hyokeikan. Here's a quick overview:

• The Honkan Gallery - Referred to as "Highlights of Japanese Art", here you'll be able to see how Japanese art developed from the Jomon period through to the Edo period. There are also sections devoted to Japanese lacquerware, swords, the Ainu culture, and more.
• The Toyokan Gallery - In this building discover the art and culture of different regions in Asia, including Southeast Asia, China, Egypt, and the Middle East.
• The Heiseikan Gallery - This gallery was built to honor the wedding of the crown prince of Japan in 1993. This is where you'll find out more about Japanese archaeology and also four special galleries that are reserved for special exhibitions.
• The Gallery of Horyugi Treasures
• The Hyokeikan - This gallery is devoted purely to special exhibitions. For the current list of events follow the link.

If you would like to find out more about the museum and its current special exhibitions, visit the National Museum website.