Point your phone at any artwork in the Tokyo National Museum and hear a description instantly. Start with a free trial, no credit card required, and get your personal tour guide at hundreds of museums worldwide.
Open ArtGuide in your phone's browser before you enter. Note that wifi coverage inside the galleries can be patchy; downloading ArtGuide to your home screen and using mobile data ensures uninterrupted access as you move between buildings.
Aim at any object on display: a National Treasure sword, a Jomon-period clay figure, or a screen painting that caught your eye in a side gallery. ArtGuide identifies it in seconds.
Choose from 9 languages and pick the depth of commentary that suits you: a quick overview, a full historical context, or a focused look at the artist or craftsperson.
Official Guide
¥350 rental · selected Honkan highlights · Japanese & English · museum only
Third-Party Apps
Free–paid · fixed route · often English only · limited elsewhere
ArtGuide
Free trial then €4.90 · any artwork · 9 languages · hundreds of museums worldwide
ArtGuide describes any object you're standing in front of, across all five buildings. Try it free, no credit card required.
Start free trialTuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Extended hours until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the museum opens and closes the following Tuesday instead). Verify at tnm.jp before your visit.
Adults ¥1,000, university students ¥500, free for visitors under 18 and over 70. Special exhibitions require a separate ticket. Verify current prices at tnm.jp before your visit.
Weekday mornings are the quietest. The museum gets busier during school holiday periods and cherry blossom season in late March to early April. Friday and Saturday evenings are quieter due to extended hours.
The Honkan alone takes 1.5 to 2 hours for a focused visit. With the Toyokan (Asian galleries) and Heiseikan added, plan for a full half-day of 3 to 4 hours.
The Honkan (Japanese Gallery) holds the National Treasures and is the first building past the main gate. The Toyokan houses art from the rest of Asia. The Hyokeikan and Heiseikan cover archaeology and special exhibitions.
Bring your own headphones. Photography without flash is permitted in most galleries, but some special exhibitions prohibit it entirely. Download ArtGuide to your home screen before entering in case wifi is limited inside.
