Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
188
Museum Savings Pass
Since 2003, a combination ticket called a
Grutt Pass
has been made available
every year by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government; it allows free or reduced
admission to more than 60 museums, zoos, aquariums, and other attractions
throughout the Tokyo area. Costing ¥2,000 and valid for 2 months, it covers all
the museum biggies and is available at all participating venues and the city's
Tokyo Tourist Information Center. Though the validity of the current pass expires
March 31, 2010, it's a good bet that the pass will be extended for another year
into 2011. Note that most museums in Tokyo are closed Mondays and for New
Year's—generally the last day or so in December and the first 1 to 3 days of Janu-
ary. If Monday happens to be a national holiday, most museums will remain open
but will close Tuesday instead. Some of the privately owned museums, however,
may be closed on national holidays or the day following every national holiday,
as well as for exhibition changes. Call beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Remember, too, that you must enter museums at least 30 minutes before closing
time. For a listing of current special exhibitions, including those being held in
galleries of major department stores, consult
Metropolis,
published weekly and
available online at www.metropolis.co.jp.
7
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art (Hara Bijutsukan)
Japan's oldest museum
devoted to contemporary international and Japanese art is housed in a 1930s tiled,
Bauhaus-style Art Deco home that once belonged to the current director's grandfather;
the building alone, designed by Jin Watanabe, is worth the trip. The museum stages three
or four exhibitions annually; some are on the cutting edge of international art, but at least
one features works from its own collection, which focuses on paintings and sculptures
mainly from the 1950s and 1960s by Japanese and foreign artists and includes works by
Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Jackson Pollock, Karel Appel, Robert
Rauschenberg, and Frank Stella. Be sure to check out the downstairs toilet by Morimura
Yasumasa. After your tour, relax at the lovely greenhouselike cafe with outdoor seating.
Plan on spending at least an hour at this museum.
4-7-25 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku.
&
03/3445-0651.
www.haramuseum.or.jp. Admission ¥1,000
adults, ¥700 high-school and college students, ¥500 children. Tues, Thurs-Sun, and holidays 11am-5pm;
Wed 11am-8pm. Closed during exhibition changes. Station: Shinagawa (Takanawa exit, 15 min.).
Mori Art Museum (Mori Bijutsukan)
This is Tokyo's highest museum, on
the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Opened in 2003, it features state-of-
the-art galleries with 6m-tall (20-ft.) ceilings, controlled natural lighting, and great views
of Tokyo. Innovative exhibitions of emerging and established artists from around the
world are shown four times a year, with past shows centering on contemporary Asian,
African, and Japanese art. Although the installations alone, ranging from paintings and
fashion to architecture and design, are worth a visit, an extra incentive is the attached
Tokyo City View observatory, usually included in the museum admission and providing
eye-popping views over Tokyo. Plan on at least 90 minutes up here.
Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku.
&
03/5777-8600.
www.mori.art.museum. Admis-
sion varies according to the exhibit but averages ¥1,500 adults, ¥1,000 high-school and college students,
and ¥500 children. Wed-Mon 10am-10pm; Tues 10am-5pm. Station: Roppongi (Roppongi Hills exit, 1 min.).
