The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo
The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo
The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Ryogoku (Tokyo) traces the work of the ukiyo-e master in a building designed by Kazuyo Sejima. Collections, access and visiting tips.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum, in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo, is dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), master of ukiyo-e born in this neighborhood of former Edo. Inaugurated on November 22, 2016 and designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima, the building houses nearly 1,500 works and documents related to the painter. Editorial note: there is also a Hokusai museum in Obuse, in Nagano Prefecture; this guide covers the Tokyo Sumida institution, where the artist was born.
Why visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum
The museum offers one of the most comprehensive overviews of Hokusai's work in his birthplace district. Three elements justify the visit:
- a coherent permanent collection, built around the donation of Narazaki Muneshige and the former collection of American Peter Morse;
- carefully curated digital mediation, with touch screens and the Hokusai Manga app that makes engraving and drawing techniques accessible;
- a building designed by Kazuyo Sejima (Pritzker 2010), a contemporary architectural work in its own right.
Plan 1 to 2 hours of visit depending on your interest in temporary exhibitions.
History
Katsushika Hokusai was born in October 1760 in the Sumida district, then called Edo. A painter, draftsman, engraver and author of popular tales, he defined himself as the "Old Man Mad About Drawing." At his death in 1849, he is credited with approximately 30,000 drawings, prints and paintings, a figure that remains indicative given his prolific output.
His influence on Europe is well documented: Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Alfred Sisley all claimed to be part of the Japonisme movement, of which Hokusai is one of the leading figures. His series of Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, and notably The Great Wave off Kanagawa, has become one of the most reproduced images in art history.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum was inaugurated on November 22, 2016, just a few hundred meters from the presumed birthplace of the artist. Its creation reflects a municipal commitment: to gather national and international collections related to the master in Sumida.
What to see on site
Architecture by Kazuyo Sejima
The three-story building is covered with geometric aluminum blocks, split by glass walkways that reflect the sky and neighboring facades. Sejima's signature—minimalism, light, fragmentation—is immediately recognizable. The ground floor houses ticketing, a library, a glass conference room and the shop. The basement contains meeting rooms and is not open to visitors.
3rd floor: permanent exhibition
The visit begins on the 3rd floor, accessible directly by elevator. Two wax figures recreate Hokusai and his daughter Oei—herself a painter—at work in their studio. The walls feature projections on the master's life and techniques, complemented by touch screens and the interactive Hokusai Manga app. A bay window opens onto a public garden and offers views of Tokyo Skytree (634 m), a landmark of the neighborhood.
2nd floor: temporary exhibitions
Temporary exhibitions rotate around the museum's collections and loans. Depending on the program, you may encounter:
- prints from the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, including The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Mount Fuji in a Thunderstorm;
- the Panoramic View of the Sumida River, a 7-meter-long painted emaki scroll;
- drawings and sketches from the Manga collections;
- surimono, luxury prints with limited editions.
Practical Information
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday during daytime hours, with admission typically closing about half an hour before closing time. It closes during New Year holidays and during certain exhibition changeovers. The admission price for the permanent collection remains moderate; temporary exhibitions are charged separately, with combined tickets available. Standard discounts for seniors, students and school groups. For current hours and prices, check the official website before your visit.
How to get there
The museum is located in Kamezawa, east of the Ryogoku district.
- JR Chuo-Sobu Line, Ryogoku Station, then about 5 minutes on foot via the east exit;
- Oedo Line of the Tokyo Metro, Ryogoku Station, exit A3, about 5 minutes on foot.
What to see nearby
Ryogoku is the historic sumo district and retains a strong Edo identity. Half a day allows you to combine:
- Ryogoku Kokugikan, the national sumo arena, and the neighboring sumo museum;
- the Edo-Tokyo Museum, dedicated to the city's history (check closure periods for renovations);
- the banks of the Sumida River, ideal for strolling to the Azuma Bridge.
To extend the cultural theme throughout Japan, also see the Nagamachi district in Kanazawa or the museums of Kinosaki.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. The Sumida Hokusai Museum is located in Tokyo, in the artist's birthplace district. The Hokusai-kan in Obuse, in Nagano Prefecture, is a separate institution linked to the artist's later years, when he stayed there. The two are complementary.
Plan 1 to 1.5 hours for the permanent collection, and up to 2 hours if a temporary exhibition interests you.
The museum has prints from the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series, including The Great Wave. For conservation reasons, prints are displayed on a rotating basis and reproduced in high definition on digital displays.
Labels are in Japanese and English. Audio guides or multilingual materials are sometimes offered; inquire at the reception desk.
Photography without flash is permitted in the permanent collection, but often prohibited in temporary exhibitions. Check the signage at the entrance of each gallery.
Planning the rest of your trip
The Sumida Hokusai Museum is part of a broader exploration of cultural Japan, from artisan quarters to sanctuaries and ancient roads. To build a custom itinerary, consult our travel to Japan.
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