Cultural artefacts from Japan and other Asian countries are displayed at the Tokyo National Museum. Established in 1872, this museum is Japan’s oldest museum. Presently there are five exhibition buildings: the Honkan (Japanese gallery), the Tōyōkan (Asian gallery), the Hyōkeikan (events and temporary exhibits only), the Hōryū-ji Hōmotsukan (Hōryū-ji Temple treasures gallery), and the Heiseikan (Japanese archaeology gallery). Many Japanese national treasures and cultural artefacts are exhibited here.

Honkan

The previous Honkan was rendered unusable in the 1923 Kantō earthquake, but was rebuilt in 1938 after six years of construction. The new Honkan was designed by Jin Watanabe (渡辺仁), who modelled it based on Japanese styling, also called Teikan style (modern rebar concrete construction with a Japanese rooftop: a blending of Japanese and Western styles).

Japanese art is displayed at the Honkan. It is easy see the progress that art has made in Japan as it is separated by time period, starting the Jōmon era to the Edo era. Furthermore, the art is divided into separate rooms based on type, such as carvings, clay moulds, and swords. Japanese katana and armour are also displayed, making the Honkan a must-see for samurai lovers.

Tōyōkan

Opened in 1968, the Tōyōkan was designed by Yoshirō Taniguchi (谷口吉郎). Starting with art from China and the Korean peninsula, this building specializes and exhibits South-East Asian art including those from India and Egypt. The Tōyōkan is currently under construction to make it earthquake resistant, and is not planned to be reopened until 2012. Until then, the Asian gallery can be seen at the Hyōkeikan.

Hyōkeikan

The Hyōkeikan was made in celebration of the marriage of crown prince Yoshihito in 1909. Designed by Tōkuma Katayama (片山東熊), it is a styled after Baroque architecture. The center dome and the domes on either ends of the building are mentionable characteristics. Also, there are two lion statues at the main entrance, altogether making this building a prime example of western architecture from the late Meiji era. The Hyōkeikan presently houses art from the Orient.

Hōryū-ji Hōmotsukan

This gallery was constructed to preserve the national artefacts from Nara’s Hōryū-ji Temple sent to the imperial household in 1878. The current building was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi (son of Tōyōkan’s designer Yoshirō Taniguchi), and opened in 1999. Collections with high historical and cultural value including many Buddhist statues and craftwork from the Asuka period to the Nara period are exhibited here. Due to cultural preservation issues, this gallery was only ever open to public on Thursdays each week, and would close if it was raining. Now, however, it is possible to view the exhibit every day of the week.

Heiseikan

Constructed in 1999 to celebrate the current crown prince’s wedding, this building is home to several archaeological galleries as well as a special exhibitions and a large auditorium. Many people are said to gather to see these special exhibitions.