Groups with ten or more visitors are welcome to experience the National Museum of Asian Art as a group on their own schedule and at their own pace. Advanced registration is encouraged.

Bringing a self-guided group

  1. Familiarize yourself with the exhibitions that will be on view during your visit.
  2. Review the “things to know” below.
  3. Complete the request form for self-guided groups at least one week in advance of your visit.
  4. See the plan your visit page for general information about hours, public transportation, and parking.

Submit a Visit

Things to know

  • All groups must provide at least one chaperone per ten students. Chaperones must remain with their assigned group at all times.
  • Please provide clipboards if students will be writing to discourage the use of walls and display cases as writing supports.
  • Pencil is the only writing implement permitted in the galleries.
  • Photographs may be taken of the permanent collection but not of loan objects or exhibitions; please be aware of “no photography” signage in the galleries.
  • Please indicate any accessibility requests in the “additional notes” section of the request form.
  • A small portion of the museum’s vast collection is on view at any given time; we cannot guarantee that a specific object will be on display.
  • The National Museum of Asian Art does not offer facilities for eating. For information on dining locations, go to the Smithsonian dining page.