A Family Welcome at Tokyo National Museum
A museum visit with little ones is easier when there is room to take a break. On April 21, 2026, Tokyo National Museum opened a Family Space supported by MIKI HOUSE on the first floor of its Heiseikan building.
Created for children ages 0–6 and their guardians, the wood-toned space includes picture books, plush toys and wall-mounted activities. It gives families a comfortable pause between encounters with Japan's art and history.
A closer look at Japanese craftsmanship
A neighboring MIKI HOUSE exhibition introduces GOLD LABEL pieces, artisan-made baby shoes and traditional lacquerwork. Videos in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean help visitors explore the techniques behind the pieces.
For U.S. families visiting Japan, including those sharing their heritage with a new generation, the project connects a cultural outing with practical care for young children.
Room for a child's pace
The partnership supports the museum's ambition to welcome people of different ages and backgrounds. MIKI HOUSE was involved from the design stage, helping create a quiet resting area screened from general visitor traffic. The intention is to make a cultural outing more comfortable for families who need time to pause.
At opening, the picture-book corner held approximately 200 books, including MIKI HOUSE's Kenji Miyazawa Picture Book Series. Four kinds of wall toys offered hands-on activities. Museum characters Tohaku-kun and Yurinoki-chan appeared alongside MIKI HOUSE's Pucchi and Usako, connecting the setting with familiar, child-friendly details.
Objects with stories behind them
The exhibition extends beyond clothing. Its opening selection included okuizome ceremonial tableware and kabuto helmets made with Wajima-nuri lacquerwork from Ishikawa Prefecture, alongside GOLD LABEL and artisan-made baby shoes. Together, these pieces invite visitors to consider how traditional skills continue in objects created for children and family milestones.
The project followed the museum's early-2026 “Playground!” event, where MIKI HOUSE mini towels were given to the first 3,000 guardians visiting with preschool children. The new space makes that welcome part of the museum visit itself.
The exhibition has no age restriction. Displays may change; consult Tokyo National Museum for current opening information before planning a visit.
Adapted for MIKI HOUSE USA from MIKI HOUSE Global News, originally published 2026-04-24. Photography: MIKI HOUSE.