Last two days holiday in Tokyo - museums

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patriciatbrogan
patriciatbrogan

Hi,

We're in Yokohama right now, having just seen the amazing bronze Buddha in Kamakura and soaking up the vibe here as well: our last two days, sadly, in Tokyo are tomorrow and the next day and, among other things, we want to take in the Hokusai and Japonisme special exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art: what I am asking here is is it going to be enormously crowded? We went to the National Museum of Kyoto to see the National Treasures exhibition and it was utterly unbearable. It was 20 people deep at every exhibit and to be honest with you, we might as well have thrown our money away for all that we were able to enjoy it (likewise the Hokusai and the American Dream exhibitions at the British Museum in London, shame on you British Museum, where it wasn't quite as crowded as that but pretty bad). So if this is like that, we will not go. Has anyone been to see it?

Secondly, I saw a documentary on BBC where Dr James Fox, the art historian, spoke about some lovely bonsai in Tokyo, I have been trying to find that museum - can anyone recommend an excellent bonsai etc museum in Tokyo (relatively central)? We are only there for Friday and Saturday.

Thank you

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clairethere
clairethere

Hi Patricia, not sure if this fits your bill for bonsai, but the Nezu Museum has a beautiful Japanese garden you might be interested in: http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/guide/garden.html

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Giora
Giora

There's a ship museum on the waterfront in Yokohama - I don't know if that's your sort of thing, but I really enjoyed it. The ship had various incarnations over the years, but was last used for the popular Yokohama-Seattle passenger route in the post-war years.

The National Treasure Exhibition in Kyoto is something that only takes place every 30 years or so. Hence the popularity. You don't have to buy tickets in advance or anything, do you? I'm planning on going this weekend.

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BT21
BT21

Bonsai museum is near Omiya city in Saitama.
http://omiyabonsai.jp/ja/museum
It takes more than one hour from Yokohama by JR trains.

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patriciatbrogan
patriciatbrogan
In response to #2

Hi Giora, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, it's been a bit hectic with being the final couple of days' holiday in Japan. For the National Treasures exhibition, we bought tickets on the day, joined a pretty fast-moving queue and paid 1500 yen each. We really did find it unbearable but we did manage to see a couple of things that we liked.

Our last day on our JR Pass is today here in Tokyo and I know you are an expert on JR Passes, any idea how we can make use of it? We are going to the Hokusai and Japonisme exhibition and we are staying around Shinjuku. We fly out early tomorrow morning when the pass will no longer be working.

It was a very tight day in Yokohama, arriving after a 5-hour trip on the Shinkansen from Hiroshima in the morning and then seeing the Buddha at Kamakura and unfortunately someone had jumped in front of a train there so there were delays. We were staying at the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel so wanted to enjoy that too so unfortunately we didn't have time to look at the ship, but thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks

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Giora
Giora

Well it's too late for suggestions for today I guess...

I went to the National Treasures exhibition today. It was certainly busy! I got there an hour before they opened, and there were hundreds of people in front of me. It was well organized though, and I got in about 10 minutes after opening time. The crowds are irritating, but everything on display is a Treasure, and there were numerous fabulous items that I was really happy to see. Including many items not normally displayed to the public, even if you go to the temples where they're held. I kind of regret not going twice. But anyway, the best stuff (for me at least) has been on display for the last 2 weeks.

Learn all about the island of Awaji, the largest island in Japan's Inland Sea. You can contact me through that website, if you wish.
Also, Japan's architectural and historic heritage.
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