6 Must-Visit Museums during Cherry Blossom Season
If you're seeking a cultural experience for the spring, museums and art galleries are excellent places to visit. Some of them not only host seasonal exhibitions to highlight the beauty of spring, but also provide an opportunity to admire cherry blossoms blooming nearby. Here are the six museums and art galleries that you can enjoy while taking a scenic stroll to cherry blossom viewing spots.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (Tokyo)
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan's first national museum, features Japanese modern and contemporary art from the late 19th century to the present. Every spring, the museum hosts the "Spring Festival in The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo" showcasing a wonderful collection of flower-themed works, including beautiful pieces with cherry blossom motifs. Located in the heart of Tokyo, it is close to famous cherry blossom spots such as the Imperial Palace, Kitanomaru Park, and Chidorigafuchi. You can also enjoy cherry blossoms in the front yard of the museum. Go on a stroll through the scenic historical spots and enjoy the spring's delightful atmosphere at the museum.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (Tokyo)
- Address:
- 3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Opening Hours:
- 10:00 - 17:00 (Fridays and Saturdays until 20:00)
closed on Mondays (open on holiday Mondays and close on the following days); during installation periods; and New Year holidays. For irregular openings and closings, please check the exhibition schedule and news. - Link:
- https://www.momat.go.jp/en
Sato Sakura Museum (Tokyo)
The Sato Sakura Museum specializes in contemporary Japanese paintings. True to its name, it holds a significant collection of artworks depicting cherry blossoms, or "sakura." The museum showcases sakura-themed works almost all year round, except in winter. Located by the Meguro River, one of Tokyo's prime locations for cherry blossom viewing, the museum gives you a chance to have a delightful walk along the 4 km of cherry trees lining the river. If you're dreaming of a day full of cherry blossom experiences, this is the perfect destination for you.
Sato Sakura Museum (Tokyo)
- Address:
- 1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
- Opening Hours:
- 10:00 - 17:00 (Last admission 16:30) ※Closed on Mondays
- Link:
- https://www.satosakura.jp/
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto(Kyoto)
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, located in the Okazaki Park, boasts nature-rich surroundings. It houses an impressive collection of approximately 13,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art, both domestic and international, with a special emphasis on artworks from western Japan including Kyoto. The collection includes traditional crafts from Kyoto, which reflect the city's beautiful culture, as well as international works that offer a diverse perspective on modern art. The museum is situated by the Okazaki Canal, which is lined with cherry trees, providing enchanting scenery during springtime. When the blossoms are in bloom, visitors can even take a boat ride to admire the beauty from the water.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto(Kyoto)
- Place
- 26-1 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Opening hours:
- 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (last entry 5:30 p.m.) *10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (last entry 7:30 p.m.) on Fridays during special exhibitions
- Link:
- https://www.momak.go.jp/English/
Hirosaki City Museum (Aomori)
Located in Hirosaki Park, known for Hirosaki Castle, the City Museum offers exhibits that introduce the history and culture of the area, enhancing the cultural experience of a visit to Aomori. It features exhibits on unique local traditions such as the Neputa Festival. Hirosaki Park is famous as one of the three major cherry blossom destinations in Japan, and attracts many visitors every year. With 2,600 cherry trees adorning the castle, the park offers a quintessential Japanese spring scene that you cannot find anywhere else.
Hirosaki City Museum (Aomori)
- Address:
- 1-6 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
- Opening hours:
- 9:30 - 16:30
- Link:
- https://www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/hakubutsukan/
Tokorozawa Sakura Town (Saitama)
Tokorozawa Sakura Town is a multi-faceted complex showcasing the modern Japanese culture, and was built by KADOKAWA CORPORATION, a corporate group in the media business including publishing. The architectural design of the Kadokawa Culture Museum, the centerpiece of the complex, was supervised by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. The facility houses a museum have bookshelf theatre, and exhibition of Japanese entertainments – anime, movies, etc., manga light novel library, , and a garden with weeping cherry trees, offering various ways to learn about Japanese culture. Tokorozawa Sakura Town has a walking path where you can see 78 varieties and 128 plants and flowers, making it a unique destination to appreciate both contemporary popular culture and a traditional Japanese four seasons landscape.
Tokorozawa Sakura Town (Saitama)
- Address:
- 3-31-3 Higashitokorozawa Wada, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture
- Opening hours:
- Kadokawa Culture Museum (
Mon. Wed. Thu. Sun.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.)
Fri.-Sat.: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. (last admission at 8:30 p.m.)
*Restaurant 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.))
Tokorozawa Sakura Town is open 24 hours a day, all year round. However, please note that the business hours for each facility within the Town vary. We recommend checking our website for detailed information. - Link:
- https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/en/
Seikado Bunko Art Museum (Tokyo)
The Seikado Bunko Art Museum houses masterpieces including national treasures and important cultural properties represented by Yōhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl(Inaba Tenmoku) and some 200,000 classical books, as well as 6,500 pieces of ancient oriental art. It holds special exhibitions where you can enjoy diverse items selected, according to themes, from the museum's wide-ranging collection of paintings, sculptures, classic books, lacquerware, Chinese ceramics, tea ceremony utensils, swords, and many more. In 2022, the gallery was relocated to the Marunouchi area, specifically to Meiji Seimei Kan—a building that is designated as an important cultural property, showcasing the Western-style architecture that was built in Japan during the first half of the 20th century. The new location is close to Tokyo Station, offering easy access to popular cherry blossom viewing spots in central Tokyo, including the Imperial Palace.
Seikado Bunko Art Museum (Tokyo)
- Address:
- 1F Meiji Life Insurance Building, 2-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hours:
- 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.), 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Fridays (last entry 5:30 p.m.)
*Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays and closed the following weekday), exhibition change periods, and the New Year's holidays
*Opening hours may change. Please refer to the website for details. - Link:
- https://www.seikado.or.jp/english/
Cherry blossoms are something you cannot miss when it comes to springs in Japan. Visiting museums and art galleries, along with witnessing the seasonal symbol flourishing in the cities, will undoubtedly be a unique cultural experience that you will never forget.