Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum 東京都庭園美術館

Former residence of Prince Asaka, a museum with an art deco façade

Commissioned by Prince Asaka Yasuhiko upon his return from America in the 1930s, the historic mansion (Main Building) that now houses the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum's collection is a piece of art itself. With notable interior design by prolific French artist Henri Rapin and intricate glass decorations by René Lalique, the museum is an architecture lover's dream. The exhibitions here are continually changing and spread throughout the premises as you tour the rooms, giving something new with every visit to the house. Past exhibitions have featured everything from the works of René Lalique to modern art.

The house was renovated in 2014, and an annex was added with two permanent exhibition spaces, a cafe, and a shop. Surrounding these two buildings are extensive gardens containing a Japanese-style garden with a traditional teahouse, a European-style garden that offers delightful cherry-blossom viewing in spring, and expansive lawns with sculptures to see, as well as a modern restaurant. Touring this Western-style mansion and walking through these relaxing, verdant grounds, it's easy to forget you're still in the middle of downtown Tokyo.