Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Encounter art both inside and outside the museum building

AKARI CLOUD installation

Exhibition at The Noguchi Museum, NY (2018-2019)

Photo:Nicholas Knight ©The Noguchi Museum /ARS

Requiring advance reservations for a specific viewing date and time, the special exhibition Isamu Noguchi: Ways of Discovery allows you to experience and enjoy the quintessence of Noguchi’s art at a leisurely pace with peace of mind. Moreover, there are 12 sculptures located inside and outside the museum building, which allow you to enjoy the artwork while taking a stroll. For details on how to make a reservation, please see the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum’s official website.

15-min. walk from Ueno-okachimachi Station on the Toei Oedo Line

20-min. walk from Nippori Station on the Nippori-Toneri Liner

Maman Spider Sculpture, Roppongi Hills

A startling welcome from an enormous spider!

Standing outside 66 Plaza, the gateway to Roppongi Hills, this gigantic 10-meter tall spider sculpture is the work of world-renowned sculptor Louise Bourgeois and represents nurturing and prosperity. If you stand directly underneath the sculpture, you can see a cluster of white eggs in the spider’s abdomen.

4-min. walk from Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo Line

Karakuri Yagura clock towers

Debayashi (music played at a rakugo storyteller’s appearance) and kiyari (firefighter work chants) signaling the start of a performance

Long-beloved as symbols of Ningyocho’s shopping district, the Edo Rakugo (storytellers) Karakuri Yagura and Edo Machi Hikeshi (firefighters) Karakuri Yagura clock towers stand 6 m 50 cm and 7 m 55 cm tall, respectively. As the debayashi and kiyari music is played, mechanized puppets start to move, and you can see Edo firefighter dolls perform ladder-top stunts over your head.

1-min. walk from Ningyocho Station on the Toei Asakusa Line

Chidorigafuchi Park

Admire artwork along a promenade enveloped in greenery

Famous as an annual cherry-blossom-viewing spot, this park is beloved as the ultimate place to stroll and enjoy the vivid new fresh greenery of the spring season. Numerous artworks are dotted along the promenade, including the Monument Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Emigration to Mexico, Peach Blossom Stream, and Peaceful Crowd.

10-min. walk from Kudanshita Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum Garden

Experience art within a natural environment

Kan Yasuda/The Wind, 2000

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, South side of the museum

Densely covered in verdant greenery despite its central-city location, this garden is divided into three areas—the Japanese Garden, European Garden, and Lawn Space—with each area providing visitors with different tastes to enjoy. There are also modern sculptures dotted around the spacious grounds, enabling you to enjoy a therapeutic walk in the forest and appreciate art at the same time.

6-min. walk from Shirokanedai Station on the Toei Mita Line

Owls about town

Owls statues scattered in Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro has a deep connection with owls, and you can see statues of owls dotted all around the area—shopping districts as well as public facilities like parks and kobans (police substations). By simply adjusting your usual perspective slightly, you can enjoy surprising discoveries.

Take the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) to Higashi-ikebukuro-yonchome Stop