All person & artist museums to visit in Japan

Explore the lives and works of notable individuals at 22 museums in Japan dedicated to specific persons and artists. These museums offer a deep dive into their contributions and legacy.

Are you curious about the lives of remarkable individuals? Here are the top person and artist museums in Japan:

  1. Okochi Sanso Garden1

    Okochi Sanso Garden

     Kyoto
    Ōkōchi Sansō, located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is the former residence and garden of Denjirō Ōkōchi, a renowned actor in Japanese period films. This historic site offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the actor and the era in which he lived. The villa and its gardens are open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to explore a piece of Japanese history and culture.
  2. Yayoi Kusama Museum2

    Yayoi Kusama Museum

     Tokyo
    The Yayoi Kusama Museum is a contemporary art museum located in Tokyo, Japan. It is dedicated to showcasing the work of renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The museum provides an in-depth look into Kusama's artistic journey and her unique style that has made a significant impact on the global art scene.
  3. The Sumida Hokusai Museum3

    The Sumida Hokusai Museum

     Tokyo
    The Sumida Hokusai Museum, located in the Sumida district of Tokyo, is dedicated to the renowned painter Katsushika Hokusai. This museum is a tribute to Hokusai's life and works, offering visitors a unique insight into the artist's world.
  4. D. T. Suzuki Museum4

    D. T. Suzuki Museum

     Kanazawa
    This museum commemorates Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki - one of the Japanese philosophers who devoted his life to translating various books about Zen and Shin in order to spread these philosophies to the West.
  5. Fujiko F Fujio Museum5

    Fujiko F Fujio Museum

     Kawasaki
    This museum showcases the work of a popular japanese mangaka (or manga artist) Fujiko F. Fujio. Merely admiring Fujio's art in a special exhibition room isn't all you can do in this museum however. There is also a room for reading the artist's manga, and a theater room for watching the movies deriv
  6. 6

    Madame Tussauds Tokyo

     Minato
    An iconic wax museum named after its founder, Marie Tussaud, dates back to the second half of the 18th century. Among the first figures Marie made herself were e.g. Voltaire and Benjamin Franklin. Today, you can find Madame Tussauds museums all over the world. They display wax doppelgangers of wel
  7. Tokugawa Art Museum7

    Tokugawa Art Museum

     Nagoya
    The Tokugawa Art Museum is a private institution situated in the former Ōzone Shimoyashiki compound in Nagoya, central Japan. This location is steeped in history and provides a unique setting for the museum.
  8. Sumiya Motenashi Cultural and Art Museum8

    Sumiya Motenashi Cultural and Art Museum

     Kyoto
    Former pleasure house where statesman, artists and writers gathered for conversation and art performances. Nowadays it is serving as a museum.
  9. Nomura Art Museum9

    Nomura Art Museum

     Kyoto
    The Nomura Art Museum features two rooms dedicated to displaying exhibits. Additionally, the museum also houses a chashitsu, a traditional Japanese structure designed for tea ceremonies. This setup allows visitors to explore a variety of exhibits while also experiencing a piece of traditional Japanese culture.
  10. Hongo Shin Memorial Museum of Sculpture, Sapporo10

    Hongo Shin Memorial Museum of Sculpture, Sapporo

     Sapporo
    The Hongō Shin Memorial Museum of Sculpture, Sapporo, is a significant cultural institution that opened its doors in 1981 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is dedicated to the works of Sapporo-born sculptor Hongō Shin and offers a unique insight into his artistic journey.
  11. Kanazawa Noh Museum11

    Kanazawa Noh Museum

     Kanazawa
    This museum preserves the tradition of Noh theatre - a form of classical Japanese musical drama.
  12. Kawai Kanjiro's House12

    Kawai Kanjiro's House

     Kyoto
    A small museum built in the rural style. It features expositions of pottery and furniture. It was home to Kawai Kanjirō, one of the best known Japan potters.
  13. Izumi Kyoka Memorial Museum13

    Izumi Kyoka Memorial Museum

     Kanazawa
    A small museum commemorating the work of the famous local writer Izumi Kaga.
  14. Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum14

    Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum

     Kanazawa
    This museum is dedicated to the life and work of a Japanese novelist, Shūsei Tokuda.
  15. Rai Sanyo Shiseki Museum15

    Rai Sanyo Shiseki Museum

     Hiroshima
    Rai Sanyo was a Japanese historian and thinker. The museum is dedicated to his work and presents details of his personal life.
  16. Kaga-Honda Museum16

    Kaga-Honda Museum

     Kanazawa
    The museum is named after Honda family, which was the second most powerful family in Kanazawa in the 18th century. The museum has a rich collection of armor and weapons which were used by brave Japanese samurais. Apart from that, the exhibitions also display many precious historical items like pain
  17. Municipal Nakamura Memorial Museum17

    Municipal Nakamura Memorial Museum

     Kanazawa
    Muso Soseki's calligraphy work, variety of paintings or traditional tea bowls - these and many more objects can be found in this charming museum.
  18. Muro Saisei Kinenkan Museum18

    Muro Saisei Kinenkan Museum

     Kanazawa
    This is the birthplace of the famous Japanese poet Saisei Muro. The house is surrounded by a tranquil moss garden.
  19. 19

    Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture

     Kyoto
    The Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture, also known as SAMAC, is located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. The museum's focus is on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, an anthology of waka poems compiled by Fujiwara no Teika in the 13th century. This anthology is a significant part of Japanese literature and culture, making the museum a fascinating destination for those interested in these areas.
  20. Asakura Museum of Sculpture20

    Asakura Museum of Sculpture

     Tokyo
    The Asakura Museum of Sculpture is an art museum located in Tokyo, Japan. It is dedicated to showcasing the sculptures and life work of Fumio Asakura, a renowned Japanese sculptor who lived from 1883 to 1965. The museum provides a comprehensive view of Asakura's artistic journey and his significant contributions to the field of sculpture.
  21. Yumeji Art Museum21

    Yumeji Art Museum

     Okayama
    The Yumeji Art Museum is a unique art institution located in Okayama Prefecture. It is divided into two main parts: the main museum in Naka-ku, Okayama, and the Yumeji Seika and Shonen Sanso annex in Setouchi. This structure allows visitors to experience a wide range of exhibits and gain a comprehensive understanding of the museum's collection.
  22. 22

    Junichi Watanabe Literature Museum

     Sapporo
    Discover the world of Japanese literature. Watanabe Jun'ichi wrote more than 50 novels and won several prizes.