The history of Japanese art museums dates back to an old custom called kaicho. Shrines and temples would occasionally present Buddhist statues, altar equipment, and religious paintings that were usually hidden behind closed doors to common people — the word kaicho can be translated as "opening the curtain". The art museum as we know it today began with the First National Industrial Exhibition held in 1877, and the fine arts department that was established together with the event. During the economic boom of the 1970s and ’80s, many art museums were built even in rural areas, and they are still popular throughout the year.

Traditional Japanese gardens are much prized, not only here but also overseas. Many museums consider Japanese gardens as an art form and include one within the museum grounds. These works of art created by humans working together with nature have their own special appeal quite distinct from that of other types of art. Japanese traditional gardens provide a glimpse of seasonal scenerｙ within their miniature world — the tender green leaves of summer, the vivid colors of autumn, and so on. One of the best places to experience this art form in the capital is the “Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum” in Meguro.

Several museums focus on the theme of Kimono, a type of Japanese traditional clothing whose vivid colors and patterns have attracted great artists throughout the centuries, including the Impressionist Claude Monet. In addition to traditional museums that show the history of this form of clothing, you might enjoy the many regional museums where you can have fun watching locally developed textile crafts.

Japan has museums like the “Ome Kimono Museum”, which displays accessories such as kanzashi ornamental hairpins and kushi hair combs, both of which are essential additions to the wearing of kimono.

Anime and manga have become a prominent and important part of modern Japanese culture, as highlighted by museums such as The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo or the Fujiko F. Fujio museum in nearby Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Many museums have dedicated themselves to this particular form of art, and each has its own theme and concept. Seeing modern works alongside traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints might just lead you to see this modern form of comic art in an entirely new light as you discover the hidden links between tradition and modernity.

There are several local communities that work on their town revitalization projects using the power of art, in cooperation with both government and academia. Naoshima Island, an isolated community in Kagawa Prefecture that floats peacefully on the Seto Inland Sea, is a particularly famous example of such a project. Various artworks are exhibited across the island, and admiring them in such a beautiful, warm environment is a truly unique experience.

Although each museum has its own rules, generally loud conversations and use of mobile phone are prohibited; setting your phone on silent mode is advised. Drinking and eating are generally ruled out as well.

Flash photography is also generally prohibited as well, however depending on the exhibit photography and video may be completely banned - but in some cases actually it may be encouraged. As a general rule, ask one of the staff if it is okay to take pictures at the museum, and be on the lookout for signage.

Finally, note that many museums won't allow entry 30 minutes prior to closing time.