Overview
You wouldn't normally think of Tokyo's Kita City Ward has a hub of history and art. But here in the city's northern areas, a small handful of locations work hard to not only showcase the nation's history but in some places, its globally-minded creative scene. Here is an introduction to some of the museum's and galleries of Kita and how to reach them.
Asukayama Museum
Showcasing the history of northern Tokyo, Asukayama Museum is quite the detailed location with much of its exhibits dating back to the area's ancient past. A nice touch are the bento lunch boxes throughout the generations. The JPY300 admission is well worth the price with the nearby park making for a lovely travel combination.
A 2-minute walk from Oji Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.
Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum
Philatelic fans will love the Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum. Hard to go past its free admission price, the museum takes a solid look at the history of both Japan's national currency and stamps and those throughout the world too. The two floors here feature many exhibits, even some related to anti-counterfeiting.
A 4-minute walk from Oji Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.
Paper Museum
An easy JPY400 admission fee invites visitors to the world of both traditional Japanese washi paper and Western-style paper. With a relaxingly modern decor, it's a surprise to find that the museum has some 40,000 items in its collection. Interactive exhibits, regular exhibitions and even a library all form part of the charm of a visit here.
A 3-minute walk from Asukayama Station on the Toden Arakawa Line.
Wish Less Gallery
A tiny little private art space run by British and Japanese artists, Wish Less Gallery exhibits both Japanese and overseas works. Decidedly casual, this combined gallery and studio offers contemporary artists the chance to showcase their talents with regular exhibitions held throughout the year.
A 6-minute walk from Tabata Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
