The Tokyo National Museum collects, houses, and displays a comprehensive collection of art works and antiquities from Japan as well as other Asian countries. The museum also conducts research and investigations concerning its collection of books, rubbings, and photographs, related to fine art, and makes these items available to scholars.

The Independent Administrative Institution National Museum and the Independent Administrative Institution Research Institute of Cultural Properties were merged as of April 1, 2007 to create the Independent Administrative Institution National Institute for Cultural Property. National Institutes for Cultural Heritage was established in order to carry out preservation and utilization of cultural properties more efficiently and effectively.

Opening Hours: 9:30 - 17:00h (last admission at 16:30h).  Open until 20:00h on Fridays during special exhibition periods, basically April - December; (March 20 - April 6, and Fridays during special exhibition periods April 11 - November 28 for 2008). Open until 18:00h on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays, basically April - September; (April 12 - November 30 for 2008).  Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
       
Closed on Mondays and year-end holidays (December 28 - January 1), except for National Holidays on Monday, in which case the museum is open on the holiday and closed the following Tuesday instead.