Edo Tokyo Museum in the Ryogoku area, features the history and cultural heritage of the Edo era. Admire the miniature Edo Town, learn the grand history of Edo from pre-Tokyo times as you walk around the museum. Feel yourself travel back in time with the realistic recreations around you.
Table of Contents Table of Contents
- All About The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Inside the Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Useful Information
- Access, Opening Hours, Admissions
- Takeaway
All About The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum
The Tokugawa Period, better known as the Edo Period, is one of the most important eras in Japan history. At the Edo Tokyo Museum, you can learn all that is to know about olden day Tokyo.
The Edo Tokyo Museum’s Past & Present
The Edo Period (1603 to 1867) was a time period in Japan where Tokugawa Ieyasu managed to take over as shogun and moved the capital to Edo which would later become Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum depicts the development of Tokyo from its first institution as Japan's capital in 1603 to the different time periods that the capital went through thereafter.
※ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., "Tokugawa Period" "Shogunate"
In March 1993, the museum was finally opened to the public where you can see the life of Tokyo's citizens from the Edo Period and the visualization of its future. The main building was constructed within the area of Ryogoku Station and was made by the Japanese government through the genius of Kiyonori Kikutake who was one of the people who founded the metabolism movement in Japan. It is even said to be as tall as the Edo Castle despite its futuristic look making it a museum where the past meets the future which all people in the present can learn and appreciate.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "About Us"
Significance to Japan
The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum promotes the history and culture of Tokyo through its accurate depictions of life, commerce, and society of the different time periods in Tokyo. Its collection of over 500,000 exhibit materials are preserved for the purpose of education. The museum hopes to provide help for the further development of Tokyo while safeguarding its history and culture not only for its citizens but also for those who are interested in learning its four centuries worth of memoir.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "About Us-Basic Policy"
Writer's Pick
Inside the Edo-Tokyo Museum
There's so much to see inside the Edo-Tokyo Museum from the miniature displays of villages and its people to the replica of the Edo Period atmosphere of their Edo Zone. Let's have a look into history shall we?
The Miniature Edo-Tokyo
The main highlight of this museum is its miniature displays about life, commerce, culture, and society during different time periods starting from the Edo Period. One of the best examples of the museum's display is the Four Seasons in Edo where you can see the old city of Edo and its people's lives throughout the whole year, entertainment areas in Edo that depict the daily lives and joy that the people experienced in Edo, and the pilgrims and prayers of people to showcase the strength of religion in the olden days.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "Permanent Exhibition"
Visit the Indoor Nihonbashi
The historic bridge of Nihonbashi, or literally Japan Bridge, was first constructed in 1872. It served as the starting point of Gokaido or Edo's Five Routes. At that time, the bridge was popularly known as Edobashi aka Edo Bridge.
A part of this bridge is replicated in Edo Tokyo Museum based on the available records of the original Nihonbashi’s construction. The replica is available for viewing on the museum's 6th floor and connected to the famous Edo Zone.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "E1_ Edo Castle and the District Zones _ Nihonbashi Bridge" ※ Tokyo Vernacular: Common Spaces, Local Histories, Found Objects, "History and Memory," p.145
Historical Exhibits and Special Events
Aside from Mini Edo and Nihonbashi, permanent exhibitions like the Great Kanto Earthquake display, the Tokyo Air Raids (World War II) display and Shinjuku Black Market display also tell tales of a time long gone.
The museum also frequently holds special limited time exhibitions in various themes to spice things up. From archaeological excavations to ukiyo-e block prints, international history and more, check their page to see what’s ongoing.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "Permanent Exhibition" “Current Exhibition”
Munewari Nagaya
The Munewari Negaya is a type of housing back in the Edo Period. It is quite small and extremely vulnerable to fires due to being built from wood which earned it its nickname of “yakeya 焼け屋” meaning burning house. The Edo-Tokyo Museum holds accurate replicas of the original houses and showcases life as it was back in the old days inside the rooms of these houses.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "Permanent Exhibition-E2 _ Life of the Townspeople_ Partitioned Row Houses (munewari nagaya)"
Life-sized Figures of Edo-Tokyo Museum
Recreations of daily life scenes in Edo along with life-sized figures of people allow visitors to visualize Edo Period during its prime days. There are also figurines of famous Kabuki actors presenting a play which you can not just see but also hear with the attached interactive audio device.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "Permanent Exhibition"
Useful Information
Audio Guide Rental
The Edo-Tokyo Museum Audio Guide Receiver is the perfect portable guide to help understand the various displays featured around the museum. The device is available from the Audio Guide Rental Counter on the 6th floor. It is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and more.
The service is free but you do have to pay 1,000 yen as a deposit. Your money will be returned to you when you return the device on the 5th floor’s return counter.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "About Us-General Guide"
Volunteer Guided Tour
From 10am to 3pm, volunteers provide free guided tour services to museum visitors. These are available in a number of languages including English, Chinese, French, Italian, and more, although language availability is entirely dependent on the day’s volunteer’s language capabilities. You can either call up to book in advance or join in on the day itself.
R&R Facilities and Museum Shop
Tired and hungry from exploring this museum complex, the Edo-Tokyo Museum has accounted for that. Grab lunch at Edohaku Desert that serves Middle Eastern cuisine. For a light snack, choose Cerise Cafe serving cakes, hashed beef, pork cutlet sandwiches and the like light meals and desserts.
Before you head home for the day, do drop by the museum shop to browse their original goods including plush toys of Gibo-chan, the museum mascot.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "Facilities Introduction" (JP)
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Want to dive further into the world of Edo? Edo-Tokyo Museum’s affiliate facility, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is the place to visit. This outdoor museum features life-sized replica buildings from Yamanote to the Shitamachi area. Here you can follow the development of architecture through the Edo to modern Japan period.
NOTE: To prevent the spread of COVID, tickets need to be purchased online in advance until further notice.
Entrance Fee: 400 yen (Adult), 320 yen (University Student)
※ Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, “Admission & Opening hours”
Access, Opening Hours, Admissions
Nearest Station
The nearest railway station to the Edo-Tokyo Museum is Ryogoku Station. If coming using the JR Sobu Line, take the West Exit and walk for 3 minutes. If using the Toei Subway Oedo Line, take the A3 or A4 Exits and walk for 1 minute.
For those coming by bus, the museum is a 3-minutes walk from Toei Ryogoku Eki-mae Bus Station. Not to be confused with Ryogoku Eki stop.
We do not recommend driving as parking costs 1,000 yen for up to 2-hrs, and 300 yen for every subsequent 30 minutes. There is a cheaper parking area nearby but with very limited space costing 100 yen every 15 minutes.
Opening Hours
9:30am ~ 5:30pm, close at 7:30pm on Saturdays only
Closed on Mondays.
Admission Fee
600 yen (Adult), 480 yen (University Student)
Note: that separate prices may be charged for Special Exhibitions, check the special exhibition page for more details.
※ Edo-Tokyo Museum, "Information" "Access"
Takeaway
The Tokyo Metropolis is truly one of the most wonderful cities in the world and its beauty, culture, and history must be preserved. Through the Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum, this dream is realized where the past, present, and future of Tokyo interacts and are preserved.
Since the Edo-Tokyo Museum is located in Ryogoku 両国, take the opportunity to explore the rest of this Sumo town. Our Ryogoku article should come in handy:
