Nezu Museum (根津美術館) offers a striking blend of old and new: a renowned collection of East Asian art and antiquities in a gallery space designed by contemporary architect Kengo Kuma. Admission includes access to the museum's vintage strolling garden, a hidden oasis that also harbors a chic cafe.
Nezu Collection
Nezu Museum houses the private collection of entrepreneur and art connoisseur Nezu Kaichirō (1860–1940).
Only a small part of the collection – which includes pre-modern paintings, sculpture, lacquerware and ceramics from Japan, China and Korea – is displayed at a time, in themed exhibitions that can be visited in a couple of hours. Shows may look at an artist, an art form or seasonal motifs, while detailed curation notes in English add context.
Architecture & Gardens
Located in a quiet, residential pocket of Aoyama, Nezu Museum first opened 1941; the current building – with its bamboo hedgerow and dramatic pitched roof – dates to the '00s. It's the work of Kengo Kuma, the architect who did the stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics along with many other landmark buildings in Tokyo.
The garden, meanwhile, dates to the days of the original Nezu estate. Inspired by the aesthetics of the tea ceremony, it features flowing streams, rustic teahouses and antique stone lanterns. To extend the experience, head to the glass-walled Nezu Cafe – also designed by Kuma – for tea, coffee or lunch paired with garden views. Last order at the cafe is 4pm.
