Yayoi Kusama Museum – A Polka-Dot Portal in Shinjuku

Perched in a pristine white cube on Bentencho Street, this five-story museum is the only one in the world solely dedicated to Yayoi Kusama’s art . Designed by Kume Sekkei and opened in 2017, its minimalist stacked-cube architecture floods each gallery with natural light—setting the stage for Kusama’s vibrant world of dots, nets, and pumpkins . Upstairs is the core of the experience: the famed Infinity Mirror Room titled Pumpkins Screaming About Love Beyond Infinity. Stepping into the dim, mirror-lined cube feels like entering another dimension, where polka-dotted pumpkins float endlessly—and you’re mysteriously absent from the reflection . It’s a moment of surreal wonder that stays with you long after you leave. Each floor tells a chapter of Kusama’s journey: the 2nd is often dedicated to early black-and-white or screen prints, the 3rd typically displays bold canvases like My Eternal Soul, and the 5th hosts a tranquil rooftop reading room with a glittering pumpkin sculpture and views over Tokyo  . The rooftop’s dot-patterned windows cast playful shadows, echoing her signature aesthetic while offering a serene pause above the city. Whether drawn by the iconic mirrored room, her prolific painting series, or the rooftop’s serene charm, a visit here feels deeply personal—an intimate encounter with one of Japan’s most powerful artistic voices. #tokyospots