★★★★★ 5.0
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Suntory Museum of Art
This museum has moved more times than your family probably ever will... three times since 1961! What started in downtown Tokyo by a beverage company president now sits inside a fancy shopping mall, but don't let that fool you. Behind those white porcelain slats designed by famous architect Kengo Kuma hide over 3,000 treasures, including one actual National Treasure that's rarer than finding a four-leaf clover. The coolest part? They never show the same stuff twice, rotating exhibitions like a giant art mystery box, and upstairs there's a secret tea ceremony room where you can sip tea like ancient samurai!
Did You Know?
- The Suntory Museum of Art was founded in 1961 by Keizo Saji, president of the Suntory whiskey company, with a vision to show how art is woven into everyday Japanese life—a philosophy summarized by the museum’s guiding principle, 'Art in Life.' This approach sets it apart from many museums that focus solely on high art, instead highlighting the beauty and craftsmanship found in daily objects, from tea bowls to kimono accessories, spanning over 500 years of Japanese history.
- Architect Kengo Kuma, renowned for blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design, created the museum’s current home in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi. The building features sliding walls, soft LED lighting, and extensive use of wood and washi (traditional Japanese paper), creating a serene, naturally lit space that enhances the viewing experience and reflects the harmony of Japanese domestic architecture.
- The museum’s collection includes over 3,000 objects, with one designated as a National Treasure, 15 as Important Cultural Properties, and 21 as Important Art Objects by the Japanese government. These range from 15th-century lacquerware and Noh theater costumes to contemporary ceramics, offering families and children a vivid, tactile journey through Japan’s artistic heritage—and a chance to see treasures rarely displayed together outside Japan.