Fun Museums in Tokyo: 12 Exhibits Off the Beaten Path

Check out these offbeat museums to spice up your trip.

By Jay Andrew Allen

With overtourism plaguing Tokyo and other locations in Japan, more people are looking to get away from the crowds on their trip to Japan’s capital city. If that describes you, consider adding one or more of these 12 fun museums in Toyko to your to-do list.

How to enjoy these 12 fun museums in Tokyo

The museums below all cater to some specialized subject that may (or may not) pique your interest. While a few of them are in well-trafficked areas of the city, some are in parts of town that tend to see less tourist traffic. This makes visiting them a great way to stretch your legs and maybe encounter other unique shops and restaurants you wouldn’t otherwise find.

Many of these fun museums in Tokyo are free or charge a nominal fee. A few of them require a knowledge of Japanese or attending with a guided interpreter for the best experience. (We can help with that! See below for more details.)

I’ve done my best to capture admission times here. However, most of these museums may close unexpectedly due to staffing issues or to refresh the exhibits. Check the calendar on the museum’s official Web site prior to visiting.