Of the lasting aesthetic values in Japan over the past millennium, okashisa — a pleasantly surprising incongruity — is one of the most visible in modern Tokyo. A great place to experience this is the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, where an hour of exploration reveals unexpected artworks tucked into unconventional corners.
Originally constructed as a private home in the quiet Kitashinagawa neighborhood and later used as the Sri Lankan embassy, this Art Deco mansion now presents works by artists such as Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol throughout its varied rooms. Visitors may step through an unmarked door and find themselves in the recreated workroom of Yoshitomo Nara, whose pastel paintings of children are both charming and disquieting, or glance into a bathroom to encounter a startling installation by Yasumasa Morimura.
From the museum shop, which highlights crafts and prints by local makers, to the garden terrace featuring sculptures by Lee Ufan, the Hara Museum offers a relaxed environment for appreciating the unexpected—whether that means a bold piece of pop art or an eccentric passerby on the Tokyo subway wearing cat paw gloves and a tartan skirt.
The Hara Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. It is located at 4-7-25 Kitashinagawa in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
Other options for exploring Tokyo’s cultural side include scholar-led walking tours that focus on history, architecture, and local stories—an excellent way to deepen your appreciation for the city’s mix of tradition and surprise.