19. Museum Review: Matsuoka Museum of Art (Meguro)

The Matsuoka Museum is the private collection of Mr. Seijiro Matsuoka (1894 - 1989), an entrepreneur. The collection consists mainly of Oriental ceramics and Japanese style paintings. But, there are also French Impressionist paintings, stone figures of Indo-Gandhara, and antiquities of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The display of stone figures and antiquities is permanent, but the other displays are changed every three to four months.

This is a small museum, but it is well laid out and the collection is interesting. It also looks out over a lovely Japanese garden. I visited this museum in combination with the 'Institute for Nature Study' and the Teien Museum, as they are all within walking distance of one another, and they are all completely different. Have lunch at a cool cafe nearby and you've got yourself a perfect day.

Address: 5-12-6 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071
Phone: 03-5449-0251

Admission: Adults: 800 yen, Students: 500 yen. Some discounts available.

Hours of Operation: 10:00 - 17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed on Mondays (except national holidays, then closed the next day) and the New Year's holidays. Also closed occasionally for exhibition changes.

Access: 6 minute walk from exit 1 of Shirokanedai Station. This museum is on the backside of the 'Institute for Nature Study' park.

website: http://www.matsuoka-museum.jp/

**Free entry with Grutt Pass 2007 (#22)

18. Museum Review: Teien Art Museum (Meguro)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum was once the residence of Prince Asaka, the eighth son of Prince Kuni. He was married to Princess Nobuko, the eighth daughter of Emperor Meiji. The house was built in 1933, in the Art Deco style of the 1920's and 30's. Unlike most museums, this one is itself an art treasure. I visited during the special exhibition, 'Art Deco Jewelry - Charles Jacqueau and the Brilliant Epoch'. The exhibition fit well with the interior of the museum, but I was much more interested in the building than the jewelry. In fact, I highly recommend this museum to everyone, it is not often that 'commoners' get an opportunity to see such a unique and grand residence. The gardens were very nice as well.

Address: 21-9, Shirokanedai 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071

Phone: 03-3443-0201

Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:30). Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (unless a national holiday, then closed on Thursday). Also closed during the New Years holidays and for exhibition changes.

Admission: Cost of admission varies according to the nature of each exhibition. A ticket for admission to the museum also covers the garden.

*Admission to the museum is free for the disabled and their helpers, and pre-school aged children.

*School children of all ages (in Tokyo) are admitted for free if they are making an educational visit accompanied by a teacher and museum must be contacted beforehand.

*Adults over 65 may enter for free on the third Wednesday of each month.

*Tickets can be purchased for admission to only the garden, but it is foolish to visit here and skip the museum.

Access: The museum is a 7 minute walk from Meguro Station, or 6 minutes from Shirokanedai Station. It is built in a corner of what is now the 'Institute for Nature Study' (see previous blog).

**Free entry with Grutt Pass 2007 (#20)

17. Park Review: Institute for Nature Study (Meguro)

The Institute for Nature Study is part of the National Science Museum. It is the only place left in Tokyo that is reminiscent of the former Musashino Plain. I had no idea that natural forest and wetlands of this size were sitting in the middle of Meguro. Except for the dull noise of traffic, it is easy to forget you are even in Tokyo. The park is home to many different kinds of plants, insects, birds, and other creatures. If you don't have time to leave the city, but you need some 'nature', this is a good place to visit.The park is nothing fancy, just walking trails through the woods and wetlands. For someone who lives in the countryside, nothing special. For someone who lives in the center of Tokyo, it is a nice oasis.

Address: 5-21-5 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071

Phone: 03-3441-7176

Admission: Adults and College Students: 300 yen.

*Free for children and youths in grades 1 - 12

*Free with the Grutt Pass

Hours: 9:00 - 16:30 (last entry 16:00) from Sept. 1 ~ Apr. 30

9:00 - 17:00 (last entry 16:30) from May 1 ~ Aug. 31

Closed on Mondays (if a national holiday, closed on Tuesday) and closed the day after a national holiday (but remains open on Saturdays and Sundays). Also closed from Dec. 28 - Jan. 4.

Access: 7 minute walk from the east exit of Meguro Station of the Yamanote Line

4 minute walk from exit 1 of Shirokanedai Station of th Namboku and Mita Lines

**Free entry with Grutt Pass 2007 (#21)