The mention of museums to most aside from history buffs brings up images of monotonous and disparate pieces of the past. This impression will no doubt change once they’ve stepped in and out of the Tokyo National Museum. As the oldest and largest of Japan’s museums, its collection of art and fragments of history are unparalleled. The collection, which began in 1872, has amassed 114, 000 relics, including 87 national treasures and countless Important Cultural Properties. While at the museum, you will only have the chance to meet 4000 of these items waiting to weave a story.

The museum consists of 6 separate buildings. You could start at the Honkan, its crown jewel being the Highlights of Japanese Art spread across an entire floor including art that has survived 13,000 years. You might move on to the Hyokeikan, set apart by its distinctive topaz green dome and Italian stucco embellishments that mark it as the oldest building reflecting Western architecture of the Meiji period. Father and son brought to life the Tyokan building and the Horyuji Homotsukan respectively. The former brings together art from the Yellow River to the Nile as the biggest Asian Art collection in Japan while the Horyuji is a shrine, sacred due to its prized religious artifacts. Put together, the Tokyo National Museum has the ability to propel you through the ages without lifting a finger.