Tokugawa Art Museum

**Tale of Genji viewing:** The Genji scrolls (National Treasure, 12th century) are displayed publicly only during the annual 'Genji-e' exhibition in mid-November (10–14 days, exact dates announced in October). The museum displays 1–2 scrolls per year (the collection comprises 15 scrolls total, rotated to minimize light exposure). If visiting Nagoya in November, check the museum's schedule — this is a once-in-lifetime opportunity for most visitors, as the scrolls are otherwise stored in climate-controlled vaults. Photography of the Genji scrolls is prohibited. Expect crowds during Genji-e (advance tickets recommended). **Samurai armor highlights:** The museum's armor collection (30+ complete sets) represents 300 years of samurai warfare evolution. Highlights include Tokugawa Ieyasu's armor (worn during the Battle of Sekigahara, 1600, which unified Japan), ornate parade armor with gold-lacquered helmets shaped like crescent moons and animal horns, and functional battlefield armor showing wear from combat. The displays include explanatory panels (English available) detailing armor construction, symbolism, and historical context. Armor exhibits rotate quarterly but always include several major pieces. **Garden combination:** The adjacent Tokugawa Garden (徳川園) is a Edo-period daimyo garden featuring a central pond, waterfall, tea houses, and seasonal plantings (peonies in spring, irises in June, maple foliage in November). The garden represents the estate grounds where the Owari Tokugawa family lived. Combining museum + garden creates a comprehensive feudal-era experience (allow 2.5–3 hours total). The garden's Ryusenko tea house offers matcha and wagashi sweets (¥750, reservation not required), providing a contemplative break between museum galleries and garden walks.