Whether you’re an artist or just trying to find a place to spend your weekend afternoons, visiting museums for ¥300 each can quickly add up throughout the year. That is why the Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass is definitely something to consider for anyone on a budget. Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass 2021 is a convenient ticket booklet that provides free entry tickets, as well as discount coupons for 99 museums and other facilities in the Tokyo area for just ¥2,500.
If you feel a bit overwhelmed by the 99 options, here’s our guide to some of the most famous highlights to some underground gems.
Shibuya:
The Shoto Museum of Art
At just a 10-minute walk from crowded Shibuya Station, you’ll find The Shoto Museum of Art in the quiet Shoto neighborhood. From Belle Époque and American Pop Art to Japanese sculpture and traditional Ukiyo-e, the Shoto Museum of Art features artists from various genres and eras. Its upcoming exhibition will showcase works of Francis Bacon, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Admission: Free entry with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass
Location: 2-14-14 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: shoto-museum.jp/en/
Toguri Museum
Only five minutes away from the Shoto Museum of Art, the Toguri Museum is the perfect second stop of your Shibuya museum trip. It’s one of the few museums in Japan that specializes in ceramic wares, with an incredible collection of ceramics from Japan, China and Korea that you probably won’t be able to find anywhere else. The next exhibition features Ko-imari wares from the Edo period.
Admission: ¥1200 (¥200 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 1-11-3 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.toguri-museum.or.jp/english/
Yamatane Museum of Art
Founded by Taneji Yamazaki, a fanatic Japanese art collector, Yamatane Museum of Art is an art museum that mainly showcases works of Kindai Nihonga (post Meiji era modern Japanese paintings). The collection also includes oil paintings, Ukiyo-e and Ancient Japanese Calligraphy. Their next special exhibition commemorating their 55th anniversary will showcase select masterpieces of Ukiyo-e from the Yamatane Collection.
Admission: ¥1300 (¥200 discount with Grutto Pass)
Location: 3-12-36 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.yamatane-museum.jp/english/
Spend Your Day at Ueno
Ueno Park is the go-to place in Tokyo to spend an entire day relaxing while absorbing some culture. Aside from the shrines and temples, a number of museums and facilities are scattered around the park and the Grutto Pass provides you with free or discounted entry to most of them, including the Ueno Zoo, Ueno Royal Museum and National Museum of Nature and Science.
The Ueno Royal Museum
The Ueno Royal Museum is an art museum managed by the public-service incorporated foundation, the Japan Art Association, whose current governor and honorary patron is Prince Hitachi. The museum holds annual exhibitions such as the Ueno Royal Museum Grand Prize Exhibition, the Japanese Nature Painting Exhibition and the VOCA Exhibition that celebrates both established and emerging artists.
Admission: Price varies (¥100 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.ueno-mori.org/about/?enlang
National Museum of Nature and Science
As Tokyo’s center for nature studies, the National Museum of Nature and Science aims to promote communication between science and society. Here, you can observe creatures across the continents and eras. The museum also features permanent and thematic exhibitions.
Admission: Price varies (¥100 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.kahaku.go.jp/english/
Tokyo National Museum
With a marvelous collection, including some of the most precious cultural properties of Japan, the Tokyo National Museum curates exhibitions spotlighting the history and culture of Japan. No matter if you are an expert or just a newbie in the field, you will find ample materials for inspiration. National Treasure: Frolicking Animals is now on display.
Admission: ¥1000 (¥100 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.tnm.jp/?lang=en
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum aims to be “a doorway to art.” The museum not only focuses on advocating traditional Japanese art but also collaborates with foreign museums and brings masterpieces from all over the world. The upcoming exhibition showcases works of the renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi.
Admission: Price varies (¥100 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 8-36 Ueno-Park Taito-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.tobikan.jp/en/index.html
Roppongi: Traditional & Avant-Garde
Roppongi, located in the center of Tokyo, is also the cultural center of the metropolitan. Two of the most admired art museums in Tokyo are located here.
Mori Art Museum
Mori Art Museum is a private art museum that holds exhibitions featuring the most acclaimed contemporary artists with their most new and experimental concepts. Many of the shows emphasize immersive experiences for the visitors, making visitors rethink: “what is art?” The upcoming exhibition will feature 16 leading female artists from the world across various disciplines.
Admission: Price varies (¥200 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.mori.art.museum/en/
The National Art Center, Tokyo
The National Art Center, Tokyo is the fifth national government art institution. However, unlike traditional museums, instead of maintaining a permanent collection, the museum makes use of its 14,000 square meters of exhibition space, one of the largest in Japan, to highlight masterpieces from across the world. They are currently featuring creative director Kashiwa Sato, who designed some of the most iconic logos in Japan, including 7-Eleven, Uniqlo and Rakuten.
Admission: Price varies (¥100 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.nact.jp/english/
Hidden Gems in the Capital
Looking for some new areas in the city to explore? Here are some of our recommendations for museums to visit and further delve into Tokyo’s art scene beyond the big galleries and museums.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Formerly the residence of Prince Asaka who studied in Paris, the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is famous for its elegant architecture and art deco interior design. The upcoming annual architecture exhibition will feature the establishment itself. Take in the beauty and charm of each room that formerly housed the royal family, now showcasing works of art from all around the world.
Admission: Free entry to all exhibitions with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass
Location: 5-21-9 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en/
Institute for Nature Study
Encompassing the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, the Institute for Nature Study is a rare sanctuary of nature amid the noisy and busy metropolis. As the weather becomes warmer, it’s a great time to head out and take a deep breath in the refreshing natural park.
Admission: ¥320 (¥100 discount with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 5-21-5 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Website: www.ins.kahaku.go.jp/english/
Meguro Museum of Art
Right by the Sakura River (Meguro River), Meguro Museum of Art is the perfect place for a rest during your walk along the river in the summer. Its upcoming exhibition features exquisite books by Manuel Bruker Publisher.
Admission: Free entry with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass
Location: 2-4-36 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Website: mmat.jp/en/
Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo
Looking for a place to spend your day with your kids? If so, you definitely should check out Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo, the very first museum of picture books in the world. With its incredible collection of children’s books, it’s not only an art museum for grownups, but also a great first step into the art world for kids. Its current shows feature works from Seiichi Tabata and Chihiro Iwasaki. The upcoming exhibition in June will showcase works from Suekichi Akaba.
Admission:Free entry with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass
Location: 4-7-2 Shimo-Shakujii, Nerima-ku, Tokyo
Website: chihiro.jp/en/tokyo/
Spend a Day Away From Tokyo
Tired of seeing Tokyo? Then it’s time to hop on the train and get away from the 23 wards.
Chiba City Museum of Art
Located in the heart of Chiba City, Chiba City Museum of Art reopened after its expansion in July 2020. The museum collections focus on contemporary Japanese art and works of local artists in Chiba. Its current show features Pop artist Tiger Tateishi.
Admission:
Permanent exhibition: Free entry with Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass
Special exhibition: ¥1200 (50% off Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass)
Location: 3-10-8 Central, Chuo Ward, Chiba
Website: www.ccma-net.jp/
The Modern Museum of Art, Saitama (MOMAS)
Only 35 minutes away from Shinjuku by train, MOMAS is ideal for a nice field trip. The museum collects pieces from famous artists across the world: Monet, Picasso, and Ei-Q, just to name a few. The current show exhibits their new collection of Paul Signac, along with Charlotte Perriand, Shigemura Mitsuo and Okuhara Seiko.
Admission: Free entry to all exhibitions withTokyo Museum Grutto Pass
Location: 9-30-1 Tokiwa, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama
Website: pref.spec.ed.jp/momas/English
Besides these listed, there are many other museums waiting for you to explore. To fully take advantage of your Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass, check out the official website for detailed information on the 99 facilities.
*Please note that the schedules are subject to change. Please confirm with the museums for the most updated information before visiting.
