National Museum of Japanese History — Attraction in Sakura

Absolutely amazing museum, with incredibly detailed exhibits. The collection starts with a huge collection of very early (10,000+ years ago) artifacts and continues to the present day with exquisite dioramas, models, and multimedia presentations to bring the period objects into context. The grounds are and architecture are beautiful, and the central garden / rest area can also be used to quickly move gallery to gallery. The food in the restaurant was very good as well, really all the details have been covered.

While they have the best and most comprehensive foreign language audio guide I have seen in Japan, at least in English, going with a Pixel running Google Lens (on Google Fi) is highly recommended. I was able to translate every sign through the viewfinder in seconds, allowing me to experience anything in the museum I wished to see. Keeping Lens running for the entire visit will drain your battery though, so bring an external battery to recharge.

One incredible exhibit is a house from the 1800s which was donated to the museum. The house is from Kesennuma, a town which was hit extremely hard by the tsunami of 3/11/11. The house was destroyed, but it's pieces were collected and transported to the museum where the house was reassembled and can be toured. That amazing story within a story should help explain some of the other exhibits to non-Japanese as the spirit of that project, to me, is similar to many other stories from Japanese history. I was in Kesennuma and several other locations in Tohoku in the months after the disaster, and I can't really describe the experience in words. This exhibit, and the fact that it exists at all, do a much better job of communicating the aftermath of the tsunami and the Ganbarou spirit that followed than I ever will.

One day really isn't enough time in the museum in my opinion. It would be well worth securing a hotel nearby and spreading the visit over at least a couple days. There is that much depth and content. I could go on and on about this museum, the experience is quite remarkable. It's truly something Japan should be proud of. I would give it six...

If you're looking for a great history museum without the crowds and chaos of Ueno, I'd highly recommend visiting this National Museum. The Museum is HUGE with 6 galleries (that we did not fully get through) spanning Paleolithic Japan to modern times. Each gallery is absolutely packed, and there are quite a few interactive exhibits.

Unlike other museums in Japan, I found that their English explanations were fairly thorough, though you will need to use your phone to scan a QR code provided at the entrance. Make sure to bring your headphones to listen to the foreign language explanations! If you forget, most of the areas allow you to use your camera (just make sure to check the signs or ask the docents) to use Google Translate. A very friendly docent (or employee?) greeted us and was so excited to tell us about some of the artifacts. He told us to look for the symbol 国宝, as it designates a national treasure. You'll find at least one in the early human tools area.

The Museum has a kids area that looked to have activites teaching them about archeology and museums. The attached cafe has reasonable lunch sets and expensive coffee. I recommend coming during spring or summer, as the Museum sits in a very large park that holds the foundation ruins of the Sakura astle. The area around it is maintained as a natural botanical garden, so bring your walking shoes.

I felt like I'd stumbled across a hidden gem finding Sakura. I also recommend checking out the samurai houses, the art museum, and the tulip fields...

I recently visited the Museum of Japan and I must say, I was truly impressed by the exhibition. The museum showcases the rich history, culture, and art of Japan in a very organized and engaging way. The exhibits were well-detailed, and the sculptures were truly amazing.

The museum is divided into six sections, each dedicated to a different time period in Japanese history. The routing through the museum takes you on a journey from 20,000 BC to the present day, showcasing the different art styles and cultural events that shaped the country's history.

I was particularly struck by the level of detail and care that had gone into curating each section. Each exhibit was accompanied by clear and informative descriptions, making it easy to understand the significance of each piece.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Japan to anyone who is interested in learning about the country's rich history and culture. The museum is a true feast for the senses, and a must-visit for anyone with an appreciation for...