Works and Temporarily Closed Places to Visit in Japan
You will find below a list of the main Japanese monuments undergoing renovation works, suspended transportation lines and tourist sites currently closed in Japan.
Renovation works usually last several months to several years. Natural disaster such as volcanic eruptions, massive typhoons or earthquakes can also damage popular touristic places, especially castles, temples, shrines and sometimes Japanese gardens.
In spring 2020, as a precautionary measure in the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, several museums and indoor attractions in Japan have closed for several weeks, and many public events were canceled.
This list is non-exhaustive, but updated on a regular basis. Places are sorted out by alphabetical order:
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Art Exhibitions in Kanazawa🚧 Limited Access
Some areas of the museum are temporarily closed and exhibitions cancelled following the January 1rst, 2024…
Choraku-ji
Maruyama’s Small Hidden Temple🚧 Renovation in Progress
The end of the renovation works has been postponed by one year, until March 2024.
Dazaifu Tenmangu
The Shinto Pilgrimage in Fukuoka🚧 Renovation in Progress
Closing of the honden main hall in 2023 for renovation works planned as the following:
From February to…
Edo-Tokyo Museum
The Historical Capital’s Reconstitution🚧 Temporarily Closed
Museum closed from 2022, April 1 to the beginning of 2026 for major renovation works
Enryaku-ji
The Vast Tendai Complex on Mount Hiei🚧 Renovation in Progress
Konpon Chu-do main hall under scaffolding for renovation (2016-2026) but open to the public
Hakone
The Scenic Tour of Lake Ashi🚧 Renovation in Progress
Hakone Ropeway service is temporarily suspended for maintenance:
From 2024, January 17 to February 8…
Hirosaki
Cherry Trees Castle-Town In Aomori🚧 Renovation in Progress
Hirosaki's keep has been moved slightly away from its initial location in the park in 2013 for renovation…
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Fly to Osaka and Kyoto🚧 Renovation in Progress
Terminal 1 has been undergoing major renovation works since June 2021. Some areas, shops or restaurants may…
Kenrokuen
Kanazawa's Beautiful Garden🚧 Limited Access
Some areas have been closed temporarily after January 1rst, 2024 earthquake, but the garden is still open to…
Kobe Port Tower
The 360° view from the aerial red tower🚧 Temporarily Closed
Kobe Port Tower closed for renovation works from 2021, September 26. Reopening planned in spring 2024.
Kofuku-ji
The Introductory Temple to Nara🚧 Renovation in Progress
Ongoing reconstruction and renovation works on the Five-Story Pagoda since 2020. Initially planned to last 3…
Komyo-ji
🪷 The Ancient Lotus Temple in Kamakura🚧 Renovation in Progress
Various pavilions of the temple, including the main hall, are under renovation until 2028. These works aim at…
Kumamoto Castle
The Wonderful Samurais’ Fortress🚧 Reconstruction in Progress
The castle was partially damaged by 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes (foreshock on April 14 and subsequent shocks up…
Matsuyama
Shikoku Island’s thermal capital🚧 Renovation in Progress
Renovation works in Dogo Onsen starting in 2019 to 2026 (baths are closed one after another)
Museum of Yebisu Beer
Ebisu Beer Temple in Tokyo🚧 Renovation in Progress
The Museum of Ebisu Beer is closed from 2022, October 30 to April 2024 for renovation works. After reopening,…
Nagoya Castle
The symbol of the city and its beautiful gardens🚧 Renovation in Progress
Under renovation since 2009
Last stage to begin in 2019 and finish in 2028: dismantlement and…
Nihonbashi
The Historical Landmark of Edo’s Main Roads🚧 Renovation in Progress
START Project: Nihonbashi area renovation works and burying of the aerial freeway scheduled from Autumn 2020…
Nijo Castle
The Former Tokugawa Shogunate Residence🚧 Renovation in Progress
Honmaru-goten Palace is closed for renovation works until 2024
Senso-ji
Asakusa’s colorful temple🚧 Renovation in Progress
Scaffolding is being erected in front of the main hall until mid-December 2023 to renovate the dragon…
Shibuya
The fashion epicenter of Tokyo🚧 Reconstruction in Progress
The Tsutaya Building and Starbucks with a view on the famous Shibuya Crossing are closed for renovation work…
Shinjuku Gyoen
The National Imperial Garden in Tokyo🚧 Limited Access
During the 2024 sakura blossom period (March and April), an advance reservation will be required to enter…
Shuri Castle
Karate's Cradle in Okinawa🚧 Reconstruction in Progress
On October 31, 2019, a fire broke at 2:40 a.m. and quickly spread to a surface of 4,000m². The origin of the…
teamLab Bordeless (Mori Building Digital Art Museum)
An invitation to dream awake in Tokyo🚧 Temporarily Closed
Borderless in Odaiba closed on 2022, August 31. The venue has been relocated in Tokyo's center with a…
teamLab Planets
The Excellent teamLab Bordeless Temporary Exhibition🚧 Planned for Closure
This temporary exhibition, which should have ended in autumn 2020, has been extended to the end of 2022,…
Tofuku-ji
The Large Zen Buddhism Complex in Kyoto🚧 Renovation in Progress
Renovation works in progress in the Kaisan-do area: Fumon-in buildings are closed until October 2025
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Shinjuku's Twin Towers Observatory🚧 Limited Access
The North Observatory is closed until further notice, but the South Observatory reopened in September 2022.
Toshogu
The Pearl of Nikko🚧 Renovation in Progress
Major renovation works from 2007 to 2024 (by stages of two buildings at the same time)
Tsukiji Fish Market
🐟 The Former World Largest Fish Market🚧 Limited Access
The Inner Fish Market was relocated in Toyosu in Tokyo Bay in 2018. The Outer Food Market called Tsukiji…
Wakura Onsen
The Thermal Village in Noto Peninsula🚧 Recent Natural Disaster
Due to 2024, January 1rst Noto Peninsula Earthquake (7,6 magnitude) and aftershocks, all inns are closed and…