The Tokyo National Museum was established in 1872 and is the oldest and largest museum in Japan. This interesting museum collects small buildings and preserves a comprehensive collection of art and archaeological objects of Asia, focusing on Japan. The museum holds over 110,000 objects including 87 Japanese National Treasure holdings and 610 important Cultural property holdings.
The museum is located inside Ueno Park in Tokyo. The main building consists of the Honkan- Japanese Gallery-, Toyokan- Asia Gallery-, HeiseiKan, Hyoukeikan, and Horyuji-Homotsukan. The museum collection focuses on ancient Japanese art and Asian art from along the Silk Road. There is also a large collection of Greco-Buddhist art.
The Main Gallery
The original main gallery, designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, was severely damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In contrast to the original building’s more western style, the design of the present main gallery by Watanabe Jin is a more eastern, ‘Emperor’s crown’ style. Construction began in 1923, and the building was inaugurated in 1938. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2001. The main gallery is where you can get a general overview of Japanese art.
The Tokyo National Museum is a must-see for all visitors of Japan who want to learn more about Japan’s (art) history.