The Art Lover's Guide to Japanese Museums

An indispensable guide to Japan’s most fascinating museums and galleries

The Art Lover’s Guide to Japanese Museums is a personal introduction to more than 100 of Japan’s most distinctive and inspiring museums. In-depth information is given about each venue, including about its creation, collection, and highlights. Organized geographically, the book begins with numerous art institutions in and around Tokyo, and proceeds to Kyoto; museums in the western and eastern parts of the nation; Shikoku and the Inland Sea; Kyushu; and Hokkaido and Okinawa. Among the buildings and collections featured are the Nezu Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Museum, Nagi MOCA, the Hiroshige Museum, the George Nakashima Memorial Museum, and the Hokkaido Historical Village. From magnificent traditional arts to fascinating artist’s houses, from sleek contemporary museums to quirky galleries, these museums house some of the world’s greatest artworks and are a reflection of Japan’s extraordinary culture both past and present.

Sophie Richard is a specialist in Japanese culture and a freelance art historian. She is also the presenter of a 2019 documentary about the museums of Japan, airing on Japanese TV in 47 episodes.