Tokyo · MUSEUMS

15 Museum Visits in Tokyo Worth Booking

21 tours  ·  from $17

Good museum visits fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Tokyo: teamLab Planets TOKYO Digital Art Museum Entry Ticket - Starting Barefoot and Getting Ready
Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Tokyo: teamLab Planets TOKYO Digital Art Museum Entry Ticket

1.teamLab Planets TOKYO Digital Art Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,779 reviews · 1 day · from $25Our pick

Step barefoot into teamLab Planets TOKYO, where projected flowers, water, sound, mirrors, and changing light turn you into part of the artwork. Allow at least two hours, wear trousers that roll above the knee, and bring your passport or ID for entry.

“Beautiful displays thoughtfully crafted. Thought that we’d only be there an hour or so as seen digital art before but this was something else. Had to drag ourselves away as it was getting late and closing soon!”

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Tokyo: Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience - What you learn about samurai and ninja life
Guided, Museums, Tokyo Samurai and Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tokyo: Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience

2.Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,010 reviews · from $27

Spend about an hour learning samurai and ninja history with an English-speaking guide such as Kenny, Nami, Shin, or Megan. See armor, helmets, and swords, then throw shuriken and pose in a samurai helmet with a metal sword.

“We had such a fantastic time visiting the Samurai Museum with Ken (I think!) as our guide. The visit was super engaging and fun for the kids — they were captivated from start to finish — and we adults also learned a lot along the way. The format was just right: not too short, not too long, and really well balanced. Even though we were part of a big group, Ken managed it perfectly so that everyone felt included and comfortable. Highly recommended!”

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Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO - Learning the Tools of a Ninja
Museums, Tokyo Samurai and Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews

Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO

3.Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $47Top rated

At Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa Tokyo, you’ll dress in ninja clothing, learn about Japanese weapons and covert missions, practice with ninja stars and other tools, pose for photos, and take part in a treasure hunt. The 75-minute experience suits families with children aged 3 and older.

“Was a great experience. Very enjoyable and entertaining. Staff were very friendly and interactive. Good experience and highly recommended”

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Tokyo Studio Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Film Appreciation Tour - Meeting in Shinjuku without a morning scramble
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tokyo Studio Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Film Appreciation Tour

4.Tokyo Studio Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Film Appreciation Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 421 reviews · from $193

Spend a full day tracing Studio Ghibli influences around Tokyo. A guide such as Mika, Michiko, or Yoko leads you from Hotel Gajoen’s ornate halls to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, then gives you free time at Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Lunch, transport, and admission are included.

“Yoko our tour guide was absolutely wonderful. Full of energy and a true Ghibli fan. The hotel was amazing and the lunch devine!! The open air museum was really interesting. Both a good lead up to the museum which exceeded my expectations. You get more than enough time to explore. Highly reccomend especially for Ghibli fans.”

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Tokyo Sword Experience - includes Museum Ticket/Ninja Experience - What the museum adds to the experience
Museums, Tickets, Tokyo Samurai and Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews

Tokyo Sword Experience – includes Museum Ticket/Ninja Experience

5.Tokyo Sword Experience – includes Museum Ticket/Ninja Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 314 reviews · from $84

At the Samurai Ninja Museum in Asakusa, you’ll wear a hakama, learn basic iaido with a safe replica sword, pose for photos, tour a small museum, and try a ninja activity. Guides including Ryo, Leon, Ren, Koki, and Akira may lead different parts of the visit.

“The guide (Santo I think his name was, apologies if I've got his name wrong), made the tour very enjoyable. Enjoyed the sword and shuriken throwing as well as the history. Highly recommend it to anyone thinking of doing it.”

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Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Samurai Sword Lesson & Tour - What the museum adds to the sword lesson
Asakusa and Sensoji Tours, Museums, Tokyo Samurai and Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Samurai Sword Lesson & Tour

6.Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Samurai Sword Lesson & Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 306 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

In Asakusa, an English-speaking guide leads you through samurai and ninja displays before a hands-on katana lesson. You’ll wear hakama, armor, and a helmet, practice a choreographed routine, pose for photos, and try ninja weapons. Instructors such as Ryo and Kai are especially good with beginners and children.

“I am very happy with Sensei Ryo. He is very professional and polite in teaching the basics of sword lesson to a complete novice like me.”

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Tokyo: Art Aquarium Museum GINZA Entry Ticket - What you see during the one-hour visit
Aquariums, Ginza Tours, Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Tokyo: Art Aquarium Museum GINZA Entry Ticket

7.Art Aquarium Museum GINZA Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 278 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Visit Art Aquarium Museum GINZA inside Ginza Mitsukoshi for a roughly one-hour display of goldfish, colored light, music, and scent. You’ll see modern versions of Edo-period goldfish appreciation, seasonal presentations, and photo-friendly aquarium art. Admission is $17, with up to two young children free per adult.

“Very pleasant. Amazing art on display. You should really go there”

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Samurai Sword Experience (Family Friendly)at SAMURAI MUSEUM TOKYO - The sword lesson: practice before performance
Museums, Tokyo Samurai and Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews

Samurai Sword Experience (Family Friendly)at SAMURAI MUSEUM TOKYO

8.Samurai Sword Experience (Family Friendly)at SAMURAI MUSEUM TOKYO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $65

At Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa, you’ll dress in hakama and samurai gear, practice three sword movements with an instructor, pose for photos, and throw rubber ninja stars. The experience includes a museum tour, English-speaking guides, and a replica sword lesson. Children under 6 cannot enter.

“Good fun for the family. Sword fighting was amazing and throwing stars revealed my hidden talents. The history that goes with it is an added bonus”

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Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Kid-Friendly Ninja Training - What you learn inside the Samurai and Ninja Museum
Asakusa and Sensoji Tours, Museums, Tokyo Samurai and Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews

Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Kid-Friendly Ninja Training

9.Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Kid-Friendly Ninja Training

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 67 reviews · 1h 15m · from $56

In Asakusa, you will wear a full ninja outfit, learn basic ninja techniques, throw shuriken, use a blowgun, join a treasure hunt, and pose for photos. An English-speaking guide leads the 75-minute session, with Koki named as one especially well-liked instructor.

“This was cute. My 5 year old enjoyed it. I think it was a bit overpriced. Guide was great though.”

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Tokyo: Mt. Fuji, Owakudani, Hakone Shrine, & Open-Air Museum - Starting with sculpture at the Open-Air Museum
Hakone Day Trips from Tokyo, Mount Fuji Day Trips from Tokyo, Museums, Tour Reviews

Tokyo: Mt. Fuji, Owakudani, Hakone Shrine, & Open-Air Museum

10.Mt. Fuji, Owakudani, Hakone Shrine, & Open-Air Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · from $79

Travel from Tokyo to Hakone with an English or Korean-speaking guide, visiting the Open-Air Museum, volcanic Owakudani, and Hakone Shrine. Guides such as Juna, Icchi, and Yuichi have adjusted routes for weather and traffic. Ropeway and Pirate Ship rides are optional extras.

“Everything was on time and the ride was smooth. We were able to hit all of the spots with no issues and our guide was really helpful every step of the way. Great way to see Hakone”

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Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held) - Special exhibitions change the character of your visit
Mount Fuji Day Trips from Tokyo, Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held)

11.Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $5Best value

Visit Tokyo Fuji Art Museum at your own pace with a pre-booked admission ticket. See Japanese, Eastern, and Western art, including paintings, photography, armor, ceramics, and more. A special exhibition may be included when one is being held, with no guide or fixed schedule to limit your visit.

“On the last day of the exhibition, "400 Years of the Beauty of Western Painting," the exhibit consists of the museum's collection, and the pictures that are not included are displayed in the permanent room. It was so voluminous that I didn't Read moreAuto-translated”

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Tokyo Anime Adventure: Studio Tour, Drawing Class & Museum Visit - One hour at the Suginami anime museum
Akihabara and Anime Tours, Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

Tokyo Anime Adventure: Studio Tour, Drawing Class & Museum Visit

12.Tokyo Anime Adventure: Studio Tour, Drawing Class & Museum Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $128

Spend three hours in Suginami and Nakano with an English-speaking guide such as Maya-san or Seiko-san. Visit an anime museum, tour an exclusive school and studio, then learn basic manga drawing with workshop materials provided.

“Seiko our tour guide was outstanding! She was thorough and very accommodating. We could tell she loves what she does. Her excitement and enthusiasm really made our experience great. Learning to draw characters was one of the highlights of our tour. Definitely recommend it.”

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Private Tour Through the Tokyo National Museum & Ukiyo-e - Meeting your guide near Ueno Park
Museums, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Tour Through the Tokyo National Museum & Ukiyo-e

13.Private Tour Through the Tokyo National Museum & Ukiyo-e

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews · 2h 30m · from $74

Spend 150 minutes with an English-speaking private guide exploring Kiyomizu Kannondo, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, and the Tokyo National Museum. Guides such as Shigeru, Mieko, and Hattori Yutaka explain Ueno's past, help with museum priorities, and can make the walk comfortable for families.

“We had a lovely guide, Mister Hattori Yutaka, who gave us a tour of Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum. He explained a lot about the temples and shrines, took lots of pictures for us, and tried to make us as comfortable as possible. He was really sweet, and thanks to him and this tour, we had a great time! Thank you!”

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Private Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Tour - Starting with Kunio Maekawa’s modern Japanese home
Museums, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Tour

14.Private Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 5 hours · from $193

Spend five hours with an English-speaking guide exploring the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. See Kunio Maekawa’s wartime home, Sutemi Horiguchi’s Dutch and Art Deco influences, the Mitsui residence, a traditional bathhouse, and an old Tokyo train. Guides such as Yuichi and Yuki tailor the walk to your interests.

“The tour was excellent, our guide was very knowledgeable about the history and cultural context of the buildings we saw. Our guide, Yuichi, speaks excellent English and was very kind and considerate. I appreciate that this tour matches you with a guide based on your specific interests. For example I was really interested in traditional Japanese architecture and tea rooms/gardens, so we were matched with a guide who could speak to those. Also the museum has a wide range of buildings from different periods, so it’s really neat to see how Japanese architecture changed and developed from the end of the era of samurai, through the Meiji restoration and lastly…”

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Tokyo National Museum Private Tour - Masterpieces, National Treasures, and Smaller Objects
Museums, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tokyo National Museum Private Tour

15.Tokyo National Museum Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $103

Spend about two hours at the Tokyo National Museum with a private guide and admission included. Your guide helps you choose among more than 3,000 displayed works, from major masterpieces to lesser-known objects. Guides have included Amy and Aki Miyato, though English ability and art expertise can vary.

“Our guide, Aki Miyato, was on time, polite and nice. However, he was not very knowledgeable about Japanese art & history. I am not sure why he was assigned as a guide as this is not his area of expertise. As we were walking through thRead more”

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