Which major Tokyo museums and gardens close on Mondays, and what stays open: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, the Mori Art Museum, Miraikan, Tokyo Skytree, and Kappabashi.
- The Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, Ueno Zoo, and Edo-Tokyo Museum are normally closed on Mondays.
- Shinjuku Gyoen is closed on Mondays, and the Imperial Palace East Gardens on Mondays and Fridays.
- Senso-ji and Meiji Jingu are open every day. The Mori Art Museum is open every day, and Miraikan closes on Tuesdays instead.
- When Monday is a national holiday, many museums open that day and close on Tuesday.
Next Step
Plan a calligraphy class for your Monday
Classes are held between Ueno and Asakusa, guided in English. See the available plans and dates.
What is closed on Mondays
Monday is the standard closing day for many Tokyo museums. In Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and Ueno Zoo are normally closed on Mondays. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the special exhibition galleries close every Monday.
Elsewhere, the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku, which reopened on March 31, 2026 after renovation, closes on Mondays. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is closed on Mondays, and the Imperial Palace East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays.
- Tokyo National Museum
- National Museum of Western Art
- National Museum of Nature and Science
- Ueno Zoo
- Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Shinjuku Gyoen and the Imperial Palace East Gardens
The holiday Monday exception
When a Monday is a national holiday, most of these places open that day and close on the following weekday instead. Japan has several holiday Mondays each year, so check the calendar for your dates. Museums also close for exhibition changes and maintenance, and the Tokyo National Museum, for example, lists specific inspection days. Always check the official site for the week you are visiting.
Temples and shrines
Temples and shrines do not follow the museum schedule. Senso-ji in Asakusa is open every day. Its grounds are open at all hours, and the main hall is generally open from 6:00 (6:30 from October to March) to 17:00. Meiji Jingu is open every day of the year, free of charge, from sunrise to sunset.
In Ueno Park, Ueno Toshogu and the Kaneiji halls such as Kiyomizu Kannon-do and Bentendo are open on Mondays, so a Monday walk through the park still has plenty to see even with the museums shut.
Museums and views that stay open
The Mori Art Museum in Roppongi says it is open every day, with shorter hours on Tuesdays. Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba, closes on Tuesdays rather than Mondays. Tokyo Skytree's observation deck also operates on Mondays, according to its operator, Tobu Railway.
Shopping streets are another option. In Kappabashi Dougu Street, between Ueno and Asakusa, most shops close on Sundays rather than Mondays, so a Monday is a good day for kitchenware shopping.
- Senso-ji in Asakusa
- Meiji Jingu in Harajuku
- Mori Art Museum in Roppongi
- Miraikan in Odaiba
- Tokyo Skytree
- Kappabashi Dougu Street
A cultural activity instead of a museum
Hands-on activities are a good fit for a day when museums are closed. Our calligraphy classes are held at Shitaya Jinja Kaikan, between Ueno and Asakusa, a 2-minute walk from Inaricho Station. The beginner class is 60 minutes, guided in English, and the teacher can help you choose kanji for your name. You take your finished piece home.
A Monday can combine Senso-ji in the morning, Kappabashi at midday, and a calligraphy class in the afternoon, all within two stops on the Ginza Line. Check the booking page for available dates.
- Morning: Senso-ji in Asakusa
- Midday: Kappabashi Dougu Street
- Afternoon: calligraphy class near Inaricho Station
- Evening: Tokyo Skytree or the Mori Art Museum