Planning a trip to Japan on a budget? Hoping to explore Tokyo for cheap? You can check out some of Ueno Park’s most amazing museums and galleries without paying a single yen… if you visit on the right days!

Enjoy Tokyo’s Cultural Hub on a Budget

Ueno Park is known for its wide avenues lined with cherry blossom trees and its diverse variety of attractions, all conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, and it’s not hard to spend more than a full day seeing all the park has to offer. Sightseers can often be found strolling through the scenic green spaces, pedaling across the pond in a swan boat, visiting the park’s shrines and temples, stopping into the zoo to say hi to the pandas, checking out the many markets and festivals held in the central square, or grabbing a coffee and watching it all go by.

But the real highlight of Ueno Park? That would be the many art, history, and science museums – some free, some ticketed, and all worth it! If you’re committed to seeing them all without hurting your wallet, all you have to do is visit on specific free-admission days, like International Museum Day and Japan’s national “Culture Day” (a public holiday created to promote the arts, culture, and education). Let’s take a look at how and when to enjoy Ueno Park for free!

① Tokyo National Museum (日本国立博物館)

Visit Japan’s oldest museum to explore the country’s rich history and ancient culture with over 120,000 artifacts and works of art over 150 years old, some dating back close to 2,000 years. From ancient Japanese relics and samurai swords to ink paintings and silk screens, this museum offers an extensive journey through time, dotted with officially recognized “national treasures” and “important cultural properties.” You’ll also find historical collections from across Asia and the Middle East, and sometimes beyond.

Exhibitions are always rotating through the museum’s massive collection, and temporary special exhibitions make regular appearances, so you never know what you’ll find during your visit. You might see some of Japan’s cutest historic paintings of puppies, or you might run into real mummies!

Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館)
13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 | ~19:00 on Fri/Sat | closed Mondays
Admission: adults 1,000 yen | university students 500 yen | free for those under 18 or over 70 | + extra for special exhibition tickets (including free entry days)
Official Website (en)

Free Entry Days: May 18 (International Museum Day), the 3rd Monday of September (Respect for the Aged Day), November 3 (Culture Day)

② National Museum of Nature and Science (国立科学博物館)

Look for the life-sized whale model out back, then step inside to explore two fascinating buildings: 

The Global Gallery – From dinosaur fossils and giant stuffed bears to tiny preserved insects and rare plants, with floors dedicated to biodiversity and the history of Japanese scientific inventions, the exhibitions in this tall building span the history of life on Earth, even venturing deep below the water and into outer space.

The Japan Gallery – Showcasing Japan’s natural history, this building highlights native species and the history of humans in Japan, looking at the evolution of life on the Japanese islands. This is also where you’ll find the real taxidermy of Hachiko, the famously loyal dog memorialized in Shibuya.

National Museum of Nature and Science (国立科学博物館)
7-20 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 | ~20:00 on Fri/Sat | closed Mondays
Admission: adults 630 yen | free for those under 18 or over 65 | + extra for special exhibition tickets (including free entry days)
Official Website (en)

Free Entry Days: May 18 (International Museum Day), November 3 (Culture Day)

③ National Museum of Western Art (国立西洋美術館)

Featuring Western art from the medieval period to the 20th century, this museum showcases an impressive range, with a collection of more than 6,000 works of art: paintings, sculptures, sketches, prints, manuscripts, and beautiful examples of design and craftsmanship. Some of the most popular pieces include iconic works like one of Monet’s famous water lily paintings (inspired by Japanese gardens a bit like this one in Gifu) and bronze sculptures by Rodin, such as “The Thinker” and “The Gates of Hell.”

Even the building itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed by Le Corbusier!

National Museum of Western Art (国立西洋美術館)
7-7-7 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 | ~20:00 on Fri/Sat | closed Mondays
Admission: adults 500 yen | university students 250 yen | free for those under 18 or over 65 | + extra for special exhibition tickets (including free entry days)
Official Website (en)

Free Entry Days: 2nd Sunday of every month (except September), September 3, May 18 (International Museum Day), November 3 (Culture Day)

Tips for Enjoying Your Visit Among the Crowds

In the busy city of Tokyo, where it’s hard to avoid crowds anywhere you might go, you have to expect some crowds at some of Tokyo’s most popular museums on their special free-admission days. Everyone likes free stuff! But the intensity of the crowds varies from place to place, and as long as you manage your expectations, you can still enjoy some of Tokyo’s most amazing cultural facilities for free. The National Museum of Nature and Science is popular with families – expect it to be totally packed. But it’s always bustling and filled with young voices anyway. Share in their excitement and you’ll have a great time! The National Museum of Western Art is a smaller space, so there’s plenty of art to enjoy, but plenty of people to weave through as well. If you want a slightly more relaxed experience, the Tokyo National Museum is spacious, and you’ll find some great photo opportunities if you just have a little patience and time it right.

Even on normal days when you have to pay admission, these Tokyo spots are absolute treasures for art and culture lovers. Next time you’re near Ueno, make sure to stop by the park and check out the museums, plus everything else packed into this one unique part of Tokyo!

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