Sumida Hokusai Museum designed by Sejima Kazuyo, Asakusa & Sumida River.

©Rebecca Milner/Lonely Planet

Sumida Hokusai Museum

Asakusa & Sumida River

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The woodblock artist Hokusai Katsushika (1760–1849) was born and died close to the location of this museum, which opened in 2016 in a striking aluminium-clad building designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Sejima Kazuyo. The small permanent exhibition gives an overview of his life and work, mostly through replicas.

Special exhibitions (admission ¥600 to ¥1200) show the real deal, and can include some of his more famous works, such as those from his series, Thirty-six Views of Mt Fuji, as well as works by other artists.

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