I would recommend to be here early and buy tickets in advance since they have 2 different lines, one for reserved customer and the other one is for customers to buy tickets on site. People were rushing to the cafe in the garden but I didn’t do so. I suggest to take a walk in the garden first when barely anyone is there. Then go visit the exhibition. Garden is more attractive to me than what the exhibits are. Great place at center of Tokyo to escape from noise and crowds.

+3

A very stylish building showcasing Japanese and Chinese art. There aren’t many exhibits, so the visit never feels overwhelming. The collection is interesting and informative, and you can learn a lot. The beautiful Japanese garden is the perfect finishing touch.

+3

Great museum to visit, it’s inexpensive, but it’d be best to get time advanced tickets online just to gauge how crowded it’s going to be, but you can get tickets at the lobby too. The main building has a good selection of east asian art that are conveniently labeled. There are a lot of benches to sit & rest, a notable place is the second floor where most of the benches & brochures are located. The main dining option would probably be the cafe in the middle of the garden. For me, the Japanese garden is the highlight of the place. You can spend half a day walking around, sitting down on the benches and just taking in the surroundings. As you go further away from the main building, the less people there are.

+3

I first visited the Nezu Museum in Tokyo more than 20 years ago. I went there specifically because of its architect, Kengo Kuma. Over the years, I have returned two or three times, but on previous visits I never properly explored the garden at the back. This time I walked through the rear garden, and it was wonderful—small bridges over flowing water, with cherry blossoms starting to bloom. Notably, there is a café inside the garden that is beautifully designed. It feels like drinking coffee in a forest garden. The space is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, with a low, sloped roof that frames the greenery outside like a living painting. The overall feeling was absolutely fantastic.

+3

Reservation is a must!! The garden is far more impressive than the paintings. If you’re not very familiar with Japanese art, the exhibits might feel a bit underwhelming, but the beautiful garden more than makes up for it. I’d love to come back in the fall when the leaves change.

+2