Okura Museum of Art

Located on the Reinan-zaka slope which runs between Hotel Okura and the US Embassy in the corner of the Toranomon office district amongst lots of skyscrapers, the Okura Museum of Art is the oldest private art museum in Japan. It features 3 national treasures, the "Kokin Wakashū" (First Imperial Anthology of Japanese poetry) and "Mokuzō Fugenbosatsukizōzō" (Wooden Samantabhadra Elephant Statue) from the Heian Period, and the "Zuijin Teiki Emaki" (Guard-horse Picture Scroll) from the Kamakura Period. In addition, the museum is home to 12 important cultural properties, 44 important works of art, and over 1700 other art pieces. The current building was built in 1933 and is now recognized as a nationally registered tangible cultural property. Pay close attention to the dragon engraved on the ceiling of the exhibition room on the 2nd floor and the phantom animals engraved on the pillars. Go to the garden and you will see the large bronze statue of Kihachiro Okura in "Haori Hakama" (Japanese formal male attire). Around the back of the building, you will find instructions that will guide you through the outdoor collection of honoring monuments, Kihachiro's poems, and ancient Chinese towers.

In the garden, you will find many honoring monuments, Kihachiro's poems, and ancient Chinese towers. Instructions for the outdoor exhibitions can be obtained at the exhibition hall.