National Museum Re-Opens
Tokyo is not short on things to do and see, but one of the most popular and inspiring sights has now re-opened. Whether you visit it at the beginning of your trip to start it off in style, or at the end to ensure you finish on a high point, or if you're are a local on regular occasions, it is sure to be an eye-opening experience that will stay with you for a long time.
The Toyokan has been closed for over three years for renovations, so the reopening has been eagerly awaited by tourists and locals alike. The renovations included work on the lighting system, such as non-reflective glass and LED lights. There has also been an alteration of the layout, such as adding additional rooms, for example the Indian Miniature Paintings room. It was also protected against possible earthquakes.
The Museum is now in a larger building so expect to see some changes and the exhibitions are separated by country and region to allow for a more interactive experience. The Asian Gallery is home to the Chinese Buddhist Sculpture, Artefacts from West Asia and Egypt, Art of the Western Regions, Burials in China and Asian Textiles, to name a few. There will also be various different events held throughout the year, so it really is the place to be. Check the schedule in advance and book ahead if you can as some of the more popular exhibitions and events will fill up quickly.
Many people assume that museums are not interesting and more exciting things can be seen on the streets of the city, but it would be a shame to miss out on everything on offer in the Toyokan. Understanding a country's history is part of getting to know it and what better way to do this than in the museum. Some people enter a museum to escape bad weather and often find an exciting world that they never knew existed. It is now easily accessible in four different languages; English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese and all areas are accessible through the new elevator, so there really is no excuse not to go.