Tokyo is a noisy, busy, and vibrant city, which is fun to explore, but this introverted Tarot enthusiast needs quiet time before too long. Fortunately, I discovered there is a peaceful little Tarot museum tucked inside an unassuming office building in Yanagibashi. This neighbourhood has been associated with fortune tellers since the mid-Edo period, so it is the perfect place for a sanctuary dedicated to divination.
Just a short walk from the Asakusabashi Metro station, the Tokyo Tarot Museum is small and intimate, and visits must be booked in advance. After stepping out of the lift on the sixth floor, we were greeted by a sign introducing Tarot as a path toward self-awareness. It ended with a heartfelt message for visitors: “It is our sincere hope that, whatever occurs in your life, each visit to the Tokyo Tarot Museum will reveal a ‘sign’ that helps you to trust your life’s meaning, and step forward on your journey.”
Once my wife and I had slipped off our shoes and into the provided house slippers, we were welcomed inside. The museum opened in 2021 and has already hosted more than 70,000 visitors — an impressive number for such a modest space. Its founder, Motoyasu Sato, created the museum as a place where Tarot lovers could gather and share their passion. The room is filled with original artwork, rare historic decks, and shelves of over 500 Tarot-related items available for purchase.
We wandered slowly through the displays, admiring first editions of A.E. Waite’s books and browsing an impressive collection of past and present decks. Friendly staff then offered us the opportunity to randomly draw (and keep) a card from two new decks. As we browsed catalogues of Tarot decks, a warm cup of Japanese tea appeared before us — a thoughtful gesture that perfectly matched the museum’s peaceful atmosphere.
A highlight of our visit came when Motoyasu Sato dropped in to introduce himself. He greeted us with genuine warmth and shared the museum’s origin story. He said that his father began importing Tarot cards around half a century ago and developed a close friendship with Stuart Kaplan of U.S. Games Systems. Their collaboration helped introduce Tarot to Japan — a legacy Mr Sato now carries forward with clear pride.
Just a five-minute stroll away, we found the museum’s sister business: a vegan Tarot-themed café. The space is a delight for Tarot readers, with every drink served on a coaster representing one of the Major Arcana. Shelves of books and sample decks invite visitors to linger, and on the walls are striking marble mosaics of the Aces. Another mosaic of the “Wheel of Fortune” card is described as symbolising “the cycle of life” and “the weaving of soul stories that transcend time.”
For anyone drawn to Tarot, the Tokyo Tarot Museum is well worth seeking out. It offers a serene escape from the city’s intensity and a chance to appreciate Tarot’s artistry and history in a unique way. And if you’re lucky, you might meet Motoyasu Sato and gain insight into Japan’s evolving Tarot culture. If not, another opportunity to meet him is coming— he will be attending the Western Australian Tarot Conference in 2026.
