🗺️ Nezu Museum根津美術館

The Nezu Museum is located in the bustling Aoyama area of Tokyo, in a prime location, and is one of the few private art museums established before World War II in Japan. The museum houses approximately 7,600 pieces of collections, including ancient Japanese and East Asian art (as of the end of December 2021), among which are 7 national treasures, 88 important cultural properties, and 94 important artworks. Most of the collection was amassed by the museum's namesake, Kaichiro Nezu (1860-1940), who was an entrepreneur, politician, and tea master. Mr. Nezu hoped to share these collections "for everyone to enjoy." To fulfill this wish, his son, also named Kaichiro Nezu, opened the Nezu Museum in 1941 at their private residence. Unfortunately, much of the museum's facilities, including the exhibition rooms and tea rooms, were destroyed during the war, but fortunately, the collection was preserved, and the building was rebuilt after the war. In 1991, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the museum, renovations and expansions were carried out, and in 2006, a large-scale renovation designed by Kengo Kuma was completed over three years, resulting in the current appearance of the museum. Each year, seven different themed exhibitions are held. In addition to exhibition spaces, the museum also features a museum shop and a lecture hall, creating a space where visitors can leisurely enjoy enriching moments. Notably, the Japanese garden includes a café and four tea rooms, preserving the appearance of the Nezu family's private residence, evoking memories of its former grandeur.

It includes 7 national treasures, 88 important cultural properties, and 94 important artworks, with a collection of approximately 7,600 pieces of ancient art. It is one of the few private art museums in Japan with historical origins dating back to before World War II. Most of the collection was amassed by the museum's namesake, the entrepreneur, politician, and tea master Nezu Kaichirō. The museum also features exhibition spaces, gardens, a tea room, a café, and a museum shop.