Gotoh Museum

A private museum in Tokyos Setagaya ward, founded in 1960 by Goto Keita, president of the Tokyu Railway. Goto spent decades collecting Japanese and Chinese art and the holdings centre on Buddhist sculpture, sutra scrolls, tea ceremony ceramics and calligraphy from the Heian and Kamakura periods. The masterpiece is an illustrated Genji Monogatari handscroll of the 12th century, a designated National Treasure shown only a few days each year. The museum sits on a wooded slope laid out as a traditional stroll garden with several historic tea houses. The quiet, almost meditative atmosphere sets the Goto apart from the big Ueno Park museums. A good destination for those seeking Japanese tradition off the tourist track.