Edo-Tokyo Museum

The Edo-Tokyo Museum, located in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, Japan, is a comprehensive museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and culture of Tokyo from the Edo period to the present day. Since its opening on March 28, 1993, it has been operated and managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture. Conveniently located near the famous Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), it is just a 3-minute walk from JR Ryōgoku Station.

The museum was designed by renowned architect Kiyonori Kikutake. It is a reinforced concrete structure with seven floors above ground and one basement level. The building adopts an elevated architectural style to reflect the adjacent Kokugikan, though its modern appearance has sparked controversy for clashing with the traditional downtown aesthetics of the area. As a product of Japan’s bubble economy era, the museum features sophisticated facilities, resulting in relatively high maintenance and operation costs.

The permanent exhibition areas are mainly located on the 5th and 6th floors and are designed with an open atrium space. Exhibits cover various aspects of Edo and Tokyo’s historical development, including urban structure, daily life, food culture, natural disasters, and war. The museum boasts a rich collection of items such as ukiyo-e prints, maps, and everyday objects. It also features life-size reconstructions of the Nihonbashi Bridge and Nakamuraza Theater, traditional row house models, as well as interactive and mechanical exhibits, offering visitors an immersive experience of past lifestyles.

In addition, the museum provides a variety of educational resources, including a reading room on the 7th floor, a library in the basement, and a visual hall on the ground floor. It also regularly hosts special exhibitions and events. Past themes have included “Shigeru Mizuki Exhibition” in 2004 and “Napoleon Exhibition” in 2006, covering a wide range of historical, cultural, and artistic topics.