Nezu Museum
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About
The Nezu Museum is a sanctuary of 'Wa' (Japanese harmony) in the middle of fashionable Aoyama. It houses a vast private collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, including exquisite screens, bronzes, and ceramics. The main building, designed by Kengo Kuma, features a stunning bamboo-lined entrance. However, the real highlight is the expansive private garden—a lush, hilly landscape with hidden teahouses, stone lanterns, and moss-covered paths that make you forget you are in the world's most populous city. It is particularly famous for its blooming irises in May.
Highlights
- Stunning private Japanese garden
- Pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art
- Kengo Kuma bamboo entrance
- Peaceful urban art retreat
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
Butagumi (Nishi-Azabu)
Located in a beautifully preserved two-story traditional wooden house, Butagumi is a 'Tonkatsu Library.' They source over 30 different breeds of pork from across Japan and the world, each with a different fat-to-meat ratio and flavor profile. The menu details the origin and characteristics of each pig. The tonkatsu is fried to a perfect golden brown with a crunch that is audible, and it's served with unlimited cabbage and high-quality rice. The combination of the historic atmosphere and the academic approach to pork makes this a standout culinary experience in Tokyo.
The National Art Center Tokyo
Designed by Kisho Kurokawa, this is one of Japan's largest exhibition spaces and is famous for its breathtaking undulating glass facade. Unlike traditional museums, it does not have a permanent collection; instead, it hosts a rotating schedule of world-class special exhibitions. The interior is equally impressive, featuring two giant inverted concrete cones that house cafes and restaurants suspended in mid-air. Even if you don't enter an exhibition, the lobby is a free-to-enter architectural marvel popular with photographers and design enthusiasts.
Omotesando Hills
An upscale shopping complex designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, built on the site of the historic Dojunkai Aoyama Apartments. The interior features a unique 250-meter spiraling ramp that mimics the natural slope of the Omotesando avenue outside, allowing guests to walk continuously from the basement to the top floor. It houses luxury international brands and avant-garde Japanese designers. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, emphasizing concrete, glass, and light, reflecting the 'Champs-Élysées of Tokyo' vibe.
Roppongi Hills (Mori Tower)
Mori Tower is the center of a 'city within a city' concept, integrating office space, luxury apartments, and high-end retail. At its crown is the Mori Art Museum, one of the world's highest contemporary art spaces. The 'Tokyo City View' observation deck is particularly famous for having an outdoor 'Sky Deck' (weather permitting), which offers a completely unobstructed view of Tokyo Tower—arguably the best angle for night photography in the city. The base of the tower features the famous giant spider sculpture 'Maman' by Louise Bourgeois, a local landmark for meetings.
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