Nezu Museum

The Nezu Museum stands in Minami-Aoyama, Minato Ward, Tokyo. It opened in November 1941 around the collection of Japanese and East Asian art assembled by the businessman and tea master Nezu Kaichiro. It is within walking distance of Omotesando Station, yet feels calm.

The wartime-destroyed building was rebuilt in 1954. After a closure for reconstruction from 2006, the new building by architect Kengo Kuma reopened on October 7, 2009, with a large gabled roof like a temple and a long, bamboo-lined approach.

The collection includes Buddhist painting, calligraphy, ink painting, ceramics, lacquerware, swords and ancient Chinese bronzes, with many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The best known work is Ogata Korin's Irises screen, a National Treasure usually shown in late April to early May, when the irises in the garden bloom.

The Japanese garden covers about 17,000 square meters, with a pond and tea houses. Open 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Mondays (next day if a holiday), between exhibitions and over the New Year. Allow about two hours. The National Art Center, Tokyo is nearby.