Many Japanese people grow up on the beautiful illustrations of Chihiro Iwasaki, whose work often...
The “Teien” in Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (TTM) means “garden” and refers to the facility’s spacious green grounds that have remained largely unchanged since the complex served as the residence of Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, son-in-law of Emperor Meiji. Before being opened to the public as an art museum in 1983, the TTM building also served as the Prime Minister’s residence. It’s no surprise then that the structure has been designated an Important Cultural Property in 2015.
The museum is home to many works of art, like the Perfume Tower indoor fountain, while itself being a stunning example of Art Deco. The museum building’s interior and exterior were an international collaborative effort between French artists Henri Rapin and René Lalique, as well as Yōkichi Gondō from the construction bureau in the Imperial Household ministry. The complex was expanded in November 2014 with an annex that now also houses a shop and a café serving items based on the museum’s exhibitions.
The museum has no permanent displays but instead organizes rotating themed exhibits and educational programs. Once a year, TTM hosts a special exhibition focusing on the architecture of the building so visitors can imagine how it might’ve been used as a residence in the 20th century.
Location
5-21-9, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071
Direction
By Train:
7-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Meguro Station East Exit
7-minute walk from Tokyu Meguro Line Meguro Station Main Gate
6-minute walk from Toei Mita Line and Tokyo Metro Shirokanedai Station Exit 1
*At Shirokanedai Station, an elevator is available at Exit A2.
By Bus:
Toei bus:
黒77 (Meguro Station - Sendagaya Station)
橋86 (Meguro Station - Shinbashi North Exit)
品93 (Meguro Station - Oi Keibajo)
Tokyu bus:
東98 (Tokyo Station South Exit - Todoroki Soshajo)
3-minute walk from the Shirokanedai 5-chome stop
By Train:
7-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Meguro Station East Exit
7-minute walk from Tokyu Meguro Line Meguro Station Main Gate
6-minute walk from Toei Mita Line and Tokyo Metro Shirokanedai Station Exit 1
*At Shirokanedai Station, an elevator is available at Exit A2.
By Bus:
Toei bus:
黒77 (Meguro Station - Sendagaya Station)
橋86 (Meguro Station - Shinbashi North Exit)
品93 (Meguro Station - Oi Keibajo)
Tokyu bus:
東98 (Tokyo Station South Exit - Todoroki Soshajo)
3-minute walk from the Shirokanedai 5-chome stop
