Meiji (or Seitoku) Memorial Picture Gallery, in the outer garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine

Walking distance from Shinano-machi Station etc., Tokyo, JAPAN
Important Cultural Property / Nationally designated / Buildings

Panorama of Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery with the golden trees in front in autumn
(Photo by http://komekami.sakura.ne.jp/)

Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery was completed in 1925 to exhibit the Meiji emperor's achievements in his era when Japan had experienced the rapid revolution since the Meiji Restoration where Japan opened the country to the world for diplomatic relations after the 200+ year seclusion policy.

Particular attention is given to the wall art where the main events in Meiji era are drawn chronologically and some other drawings which show the politics, culture and manners of the era.

Even after the Gallery closes at 17:00 (Admission closes even earlier by 30 min at 16:30), you can enjoy the Gallery exterior illuminated after the sunset till 22:30. In addition, especially in autumn, when the lined gingko biloba trees in front turn gold, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama view as shown in the photo above in the day time, too.

The Gallery manages Japanese Culture School where they provide lessons of Japanese flower arrangement, calligraphy, tea ceremony, picture painting and traditional dance etc. (Language availability is unknown yet...)

Other than the Picture Gallery, there are many enjoyable places in the outer garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine. To name a few, the beer garden (summer time only), park for kids, driving range, ice-skating, tennis/futsal courts, etc.  For details, go to the linked official website below.

Hyokeikan, Tokyo National Museum

Walking distance from Ueno Station, Tokyo, JAPAN
Important Cultural Property / Nationally Designated / Buildings

(Photo by Rettoh-Houmotsukan, 
http://www.i-treasury.net/picture/tokyo_m/DSCF0013.html)

Hyokeikan, the first authentic art museum in Japan, was built in 1909 in honor of the crown prince (to-be-Taisho Emperor) wedding. Hyokeikan means "a mansion to express celebration". It was designed by Tohkuma Katayama, who also designed one of the National Tresures, State Guest House (Akasak Palace). It represents architecture of the early 20th century.

Hyokeikan is in use as one of the exhibitions of Tokyo National Museum.

Former Rest House of the Imperial Family, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Walking distance from Shinjuku-Gyoen Station, Tokyo, JAPAN

Important Cultural Property / Nationally Designated / Buildings

(Photo of Exterior by the Environmental Government of Japan,

http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/3_event/event_01.html)

Former Rest House of the Imperial Family was constructed in 1896 in Shinjuku Gyoen when Shinjuku Gyoen was one of the Imperial gardens. Now Shinjuku Gyoen is a national garden (park) open to the public, and the rest house is open for visitors, usually twice a month on Saturdays (For detailed schedule etc, see below).

Shinjuku Gyoen, a national garden (park), blends three distinct styles, Japanese Traditional Garden, French Formal Garden, and English Landscape Garden and is 144 acres (58.3 ha) in size with a circumference of 3.5 km. It is considered as one of the most important gardens.

Shinjuku Gyoen, in its history, was initially a garden privately owned by Feudal Lord Naito of the Samurai era. Once it was an imperial garden in 1900s, and then after WWII, it was redesigned as a national garden and now is open to the public.

Further information......

The National Museum of Western Art

Walking distance from Ueno Station, Tokyo, JAPAN
Important Cultural Property / Nationally Designated / Buildings

(Photo by Akira O.)

Designed by  Le Corbusier (1887 - 1965), one of the greatest architects in the 20th century, the main building of the National Museum of Western Art was completed in 1959 as a symbol of the rapprochement between France and Japanese after the War.

The main building of the National Museum of Western Art has been nominated as one of "100 Selected Public Buildings" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 1998 and was inscribed as the Important Cultural Property (nationally designated)