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Museum’s Outdoor Areas

Download the PDF map(PDF, 1.9MB)

Features of the museum’s outdoor facilities

  • The outdoor areas of the Tokyo National Museum feature outdoor exhibits, including buildings and sculptures, in addition to a garden and teahouses. Eating and drinking are allowed in these outdoor areas.
  • A garden with five teahouses lies on the north side of the Honkan. The teahouses are closed to visitors, but you can enjoy the four seasons with the seasonal trees here. It can become crowded during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
  • The outdoor areas are home to birds, insects, and other wildlife, so you can hear the sounds that they make. Sounds from nearby roads and passing trains outside the museum grounds might also be heard in some places. Regular and special announcements are made through speakers installed in the museum grounds.

Regular announcements

  • Announcements about the museum theater are made at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
  • At 12:00, a chime will sound to indicate that it is noon.
  • At 4:30 pm, an announcement will inform visitors that the museum will close in 30 minutes.
  • At 5:00 pm, an announcement will inform visitors that the museum has closed.

(Note) The times for the announcements made 30 minutes before closing and at closing will differ on days when the museum is open until late.

<Notes on using the sensory maps>

  • Sensory information such as light and sound levels may change depending on the special exhibition or event and factors such as crowdedness. Therefore, please note that the information provided on the maps may not necessarily reflect actual conditions.
  • Click on the pop-up bubbles to view detailed information about each location.
  • Areas with loud noise or sounds
  • Areas with bright light
  • Areas with natural light
  • Seating
  • Eating and drinking areas
  • Areas with an audio feed
  • Videos or digital displays
  • Restroom（M）
  • Restroom（F）
  • Restroom（accessible）
  • Information
  • Coin Lockers
  • Elevator
  • Restaurant
  • Café
Read more about the garden and teahousesRead more about the outdoor exhibits
Accessibility map of the main gate area and museum grounds

Area in front of the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures

There are multiple-person seats in front of the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures. There is also a pond in front of the building, with a rippling surface. You might hear birds chirping, as well as sounds from the road outside the museum grounds. This area is relatively uncrowded.
To the side of the gallery is a path leading to the Azekura Repository (Important Cultural Property). It is relatively quiet, with few visitors.

Area around the Heiseikan

There are multiple-person seats and vending machines along the path leading to Heiseikan. The area is shaded by trees depending on the time of day. There is a pond in front of Heiseikan from which the sound of water can be heard.

Area in front of the Asian Gallery (Toyokan)

There are seats and tables in front of the Asian Gallery. The area is shaded by the eaves of the building. As it offers a convenient place to eat and drink, it can become crowded around lunchtime.

Garden

Large stone seats in front of the Japanese Gallery offer a view of the entire garden. It can become crowded during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
There are more seats and tables in the area next to the pond (on the Heiseikan side). The tea house Shunsoro is not open to the public, but visitors may rest on the stone seats in front of it.
In the garden, you can hear sounds from the pond’s water and the sounds of birds and insects. Sounds from nearby roads and passing trains outside the museum grounds might also be heard in some places.

Area in front of the Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

There are benches around the large yellow tulip tree in front of the Japanese Gallery. The area is shaded by trees depending on the time of day. Located between the Japanese Gallery and the main gate, many people pass through this area. It can become especially crowded around lunchtime.

Accessibility Information