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Tokyo National Museum vs Shitamachi Museum

Both Tokyo National Museum and Shitamachi Museum are praised by professional reviewers. Overall, Tokyo National Museum is the choice of most professionals compared to Shitamachi Museum. Tokyo National Museum comes in at 94 with positive reviews from 7 publications including Concierge, Time Out and Travel + Leisure.

Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum
8 / 10
13-9 Ueno Park, Taito, Tokyo 110-8712
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"This complex of four buildings grouped around a courtyard is one of the world's great repositories of East Asian art and archaeology." Full review
Concierge Concierge
"The national museum of Japan has a spectacular collection of Japanese art, but the displays can be on the old-fashioned side."
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park is the largest repository of Japanese art and artifacts in the world." Full review
Time Out Time Out
"If you have just one day to devote to museum-going in Tokyo and are interested in Japanese art and artefacts, this is the place to visit." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
3 Stars
"A must-see museum whose collection of treasures is astounding both in terms of scope (110,000 exhibits) and quality." Full review
i
Recommend prioritising the Japanese Gallery (Hon-kan) and the Gallery of Horyu-ji Treasures.
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Shitamachi Museum
Shitamachi Museum
8 / 10
1-2 Uenokoen, Taito, Tokyo 110-0007
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"Japanese society in the days of the Tokugawa shoguns was rigidly stratified. Some 80% of the city's land was allotted to the warrior class, temples, and shrines." Full review
Time Out Time Out
"This museum presents the living environment of ordinary Tokyoites between the pivotal Meiji restoration of 1868 and the Great Earthquake of 1923." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
1 Star
"This museum takes you back to a lost world by recreating the working-class district of Shitamachi, which was razed to the ground by the 1945 bombings." Full review
i
The visit can take a funny turn when you are given the chance to try on traditional clothes.
Atlas Obscura Atlas Obscura
"A museum dedicated to the history of Tokyo's often-overlooked working-class district. " Full review
Frommer's Frommer's
"Shitamachi means "downtown" and refers to the area of Tokyo in which commoners used to live, mainly around Ueno and Asakusa." Full review