Idemitsu Museum of Arts

The Idemitsu Museum of Arts sits on the ninth floor of the Teigeki building directly opposite the Imperial Palace, presenting the private collection of oil tycoon Sazo Idemitsu. Opened in 1966, it is considered one of Japan's most important holdings of East Asian art. Idemitsu collected Japanese and Chinese ceramics, calligraphy and Zen ink paintings from the 1920s onward, including the world's largest collection of works by the Zen monk Sengai. A highlight are the Persian and Middle Eastern shards Idemitsu acquired from archaeological digs to trace how early ceramic techniques migrated to Japan. The lounge offers a sweeping view of the Imperial Palace gardens - a deliberate curatorial gesture connecting ancient art with the living city.