Museums You Should See At Least Once

June 22, 2023 Debbie Reyes-Coloma

Japan is famed for its cherry blossoms, sumo wrestling, manga and anime, onsens, tea ceremonies, and Zen gardens. Of course, a visit won’t be complete without food tripping on its fabulous dishes.

After you’ve had your fill of sightseeing and eating, make room for some of Japan’s one-of-a-kind museums for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are a few cool spots you will only find in Japan (some of which you would never have imagined existed). Why not include them in your holiday itinerary? Don’t forget your fully-charged cam-phones to share real-time actions with family and friends back home. As the Japanese would say: Tanoshimi (Enjoy)!

Samurai and Ninja Museum

If you’re the type that likes to play with the museum artefacts, you do have the opportunity to strike a warrior pose in your favourite Samurai costume and keep the photo for the memory book. You can learn about the fighting spirit and martial arts the Samurai, the military nobility of pre-modern Japan, adhered to during their time. Museum owner Tetsuro Koyano, the great-grandson of a samurai sword master, accrued a jaw-dropping collection to represent the true history of the samurai, minus Hollywood’s embellishments. Location: 2-25-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo (Image: Maikoya)

Yayoi Kusama Museum

Beyond the familiar polka dots arts, this dedicated avant-garde museum showcases the major works from Yayoi Kusama’s earlier years to the present day. The gallery concept originated from the artist herself and presents an unprecedented opportunity for a deeper understanding of her unique trajectory. Although you may have seen her work exhibited in major museums, Bienniales and Trienniales all over the world, this is a must-visit when you’re in Tokyo. Location: 107 Bentencho Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-0851 Japan. (Image: Yayoi Museum)

Harry Potter Studio Tour

More immersive than a museum, this is definitely a must-see. Spread over a 30,000 square-metre site, the newly opened Warner Bros. ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ Studio Tour’ has overtaken its London predecessor to become the world’s largest indoor Harry Potter attraction. It features exclusive sets only on display in Tokyo. Location: 1 Chome-1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima City, Tokyo 179-0074, Japan. (Image & info: Agence France-Presse | Warner Bros)

Sanrio Puroland

Cuteness overload. Summon your inner child at the fun-filled indoor theme park where you can meet Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll and other world-famous Sanrio characters. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet and take pictures with your favourite characters! Pace yourself as there’s a spread of sights, sounds and food that guarantee to bring out the silly laughs. If you’re a collector, braise yourself as there are loads of original items that can only be found at Puroland. Location: 1 Chome-31 Ochiai, Tama, Tokyo 206-8588. (Image: Sanrio Puroland)

Sand Museum, Tottori Sand Dunes

With stunning, intricately detailed and larger-than-life sand sculptures, this museum will blow your mind. Better than any sandcastle competition you’ve ever seen, these pieces of art depict anything and everything from Machu Picchu to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Situated in the Tottori Sand Dunes, you can finish off your visit with some sand boarding or camel riding. Location: 2083-17 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori. (Image: sand-museum.jp)

Ramen Museum

The Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum spans three levels with the basement housing a replica of Tokyo’s streets circa 1950s. Have your fill of assorted ramens guaranteed to make you belly happy. After a slurpy meal, take a leisurely walk through the “streets of Tokyo” or head upstairs where there is an entire floor dedicated to the history of ramen. Location: 2-14-21 Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0033. (Image: Ramen Museum)

Ghibli Museum

Not so much a completely bizarre museum, but definitely a rite of passage when it comes to Japanese culture, the Ghibli Museum is a dedicated space for showcasing animation from Studio Ghibli, best known for films like Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro. The museum is designed in the style of their films, explains the history of animation and shows short movies exclusive to the museum. Try not to get too sad when you can’t frolic in the under-12 playground. Location: 1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-0013. (Image: ghibli-museum.jp)

Cup Noodles Museum

This peculiar museum displays over 3,000 instant noodles, an astounding selection that traces how a single product (first invention - a chicken ramen – in 1958) introduced more than a half-century ago grew into a global dietary culture. The main attraction is an area where you can make your own cup noodles. From designing the packaging to putting your favourite ingredients in the cup and sealing the packaging, it’s an amazing and truly unique experience. There is also a replica of the kitchen where cup noodles were invented plus a theatre room that shows a movie about Momofuku Ando, the father of cup noodles. Location: 2 Chome-3-4 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001, Japan. (Image: Cup Noodles Museum )

Mayo Terrace

Japan puts a spotlight on a museum dedicated to that white creamy sauce that you squirt on your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Opened by Kewpie (yes, that popular mayonnaise brand), you can learn about the history of mayonnaise and how it’s made. There is a special kitchen area where you can make your own mayo-based sauces and dressings too! You’ll even get some free Kewpie samples to take home. Mayo Terrace is very popular, and you may need to make a booking in advance. Location: 182-0002 Tokyo, Chofu, Sengawacho, 2 Chome−５−7. (Image: Mayo Terrace/Google Maps)

Kite Museum

Welcome to the world’s first kite museum, full of collections of vividly decorated kites in all shapes, colours and sizes, with hand-painted dragons, faces and butterflies. The museum displays historical kites resembling a kite fanatic’s playhouse with kites hanging and drape all over. Since it’s located above the popular restaurant Taimeiken, you can treat yourself after a day spent learning about kites. Location: 1-12-10, Nihonbashi, Chuo, Japan (Image: Tripadvisor)

Ochanomizu Origami Kaikan

Dedicated to origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, where you can learn about the dyeing washi (Japanese paper) process and feast your eyes on the intricate origami creations in the exhibit. At the workshop, you have a shot at making your own origami souvenir to take home (or buying one from the merchandise shop and pretend you’re a paper-folding master). Location: 1-7-14 Yushima, Bunkyo. (Image: japanistry.com)

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