A trip out to the Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館) is a great way to spend an afternoon. It’s 620¥‎ a person to view several floors. The highlights of Japanese Art exhibition was my favorite. This exhibition provides an overview of Japanese history and culture while exploring the chronological development of Japanese art. The 10 exhibition rooms traveled from the early Jomon period, over 12,000 years ago, to the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in the late 19th century. The timeline showing the relationships between key periods in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean history was especially interesting.

We went during the spring so they took special care to point out pieces on display that referenced cherry blossoms.

Afterward, go to Ueno for the great shopping streets. Many of my Japanese friends recommended shopping here because you can usually find quality stuff for cheap. It’s fun to get lost in the streets here. There is a famous street here called Ameyoko which is worth checking out if you are in the area.

Also, Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園) was especially fun (and busy) for the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Hours: Closed on Monday. Hours are 9:30am to 5:00pm. Special exhibitions (1000-1500¥‎) may have longer opening hours on selected days. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.

Address: Japan, 〒110-8712 Tokyo, Taito, Uenokoen, １３−９

Phone: +81 3-3822-1111