About the Museum
Overview
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan first opened its doors in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in November 1993. Its founding missions were to conserve works of art formerly owned by the Imperial Family, make them accessible to the public through exhibitions, and create new knowledge about them through research. The initial collection consisted of paintings, calligraphy, decorative arts, historical materials, and other works gifted to the nation by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and his mother Empress Kojun in 1989. The collection has continued to grow since then through generous donations from other Imperial Family Members.
The Museum’s name, Sannomaru Shozokan, means “imperial storehouse in the third bailey.” The word sannomaru (lit. “third circle”) refers to former Edo Castle’s third bailey, the site where the Museum now stands. The word shozo is sourced from an archaic term for the head keeper of imperial storehouses, and the suffix -kan means building.
In 2019, the Museum temporarily closed to expand its exhibition rooms and storage spaces as well as to construct new facilities for a broader range of initiatives. In autumn 2023, the Museum partially reopened, and its management was transferred from the Imperial Household Agency to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH). The Museum closed again in May 2025 to complete ongoing renovations. A grand reopening is planned for autumn 2026.
The Museum allows visitors to explore the Imperial Household’s cultural legacy and is committed to preserving the many works passed down by the Imperial Family.
A Much-Anticipated Reopening
The Museum’s renovations are proceeding as scheduled, with a grand reopening planned for autumn 2026. In addition to new galleries, the Museum’s expanded facilities will include a museum shop and lecture hall that will be used to screen videos as well as host a variety of conferences, workshops, and other events.
Administrative and Financial Information
Available on NICH’s official website: