Yayoi Kusama Museum — A Polka-Dotted Wonderland in Shinjuku, Tokyo

#tokyospots If you love bold colors, infinity mirrors, and the kind of art that makes you feel like you’ve stepped inside someone’s imagination — the Yayoi Kusama Museum in Shinjuku is a must-visit.

This small but striking five-story white building is dedicated entirely to Japan’s avant-garde queen, Yayoi Kusama, whose signature dots and mirrored installations have mesmerized art lovers all over the world. The museum was founded to preserve and showcase her lifetime of work — from early paintings and sculptures to immersive infinity rooms that play with light, reflection, and the idea of “infinity.”

🕑 Opening Hours

The museum opens Thursday to Sunday, including national holidays, from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
It’s closed on Monday to Wednesday, and occasionally during exhibition changes or holidays.

🎟 Ticket Information

Tickets are advance purchase only — you won’t find any sold at the door.
• Adults: ¥1,100
• Students (ages 6–18): ¥600
• Children under 6: Free

Each visit is limited to a 90-minute time slot, and there are several entry times throughout the day. Tickets go on sale on the first of every month at 10 AM (Japan time), for visits two months ahead — so if you’re planning your Tokyo trip, it’s best to set a reminder early!

📍 How to Get There
The museum is tucked away in a quiet residential area of Shinjuku, so public transport is the easiest option:
• 6-minute walk from Ushigome-Yanagicho Station (Toei Oedo Line)
• 7-minute walk from Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
• 9-minute walk from Kagurazaka Station (Tozai Line)

There’s no parking space, so skip the car and take the subway instead.

🪞 What to Expect Inside

Each floor of the museum focuses on different themes from Kusama’s life and art — from her early days in Japan to her later years in New York, where she became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

You’ll see her vibrant dot paintings, surreal sculptures, and of course, the legendary Infinity Mirror Room, where reflections stretch endlessly in every direction. The top floor often hosts a small reading area or space to view the city from above, offering a quiet contrast to the colorful chaos below.

Photography is allowed in some areas, but not all — so be sure to check the signs before snapping that perfect shot.

💡 Travel Tips
• Arrive right on time — they don’t allow early entry and there’s no waiting area outside.
• Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll be walking up several floors.
• Tickets sell out fast, especially on weekends, so plan ahead.
• Combine your visit with a stroll around Kagurazaka, a charming old Tokyo neighborhood nearby filled with cafes and boutique shops.