Why visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum?
Journey into Japan’s architectural past at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. This unique space offers a remarkable opportunity to photograph a wide array of preserved Japanese buildings. You can see everything, from an Edo-period mausoleum to the humble charm of historic homes.
A glimpse into Japan's history
The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum provides an immersive and genuine look into the nation’s bygone eras. Each building tells a unique story. They allow you to witness the splendor of an Edo-period mausoleum or uncover the dramatic history within a former prime minister’s house. Some of the country’s most iconic architectural styles and structures have been preserved to maintain their original character and purpose.
It’s a diverse collection that includes historical homes, traditional shops, and temples. It’s a distinctive location for photographers seeking to capture a side of Tokyo beyond its modern cityscape of concrete and steel. Every photograph taken here holds a piece of Japanese history, with some scenes providing insight into how societal shifts influenced daily life.
Real buildings, real stories
Every structure at the museum is an authentic historical building, not a replica. These are the actual places where people once lived and worked, some of which are connected to significant events in Japanese history.
A powerful example is the former residence of Korekiyo Takahashi, who served as Prime Minister and held various ministerial roles during the 1920s and 30s. He was assassinated in this very house during the coup attempt of 1936, making it a site of considerable historical importance.
My favorite is the Jisho-in Mausoleum, built in 1652 for Lady Ofuri, a concubine of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The building is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, adorned with vibrant and intricate wood carvings.
The buildings have been sourced from various locations, mostly within Tokyo. However, some, like an elevated granary from an island near Okinawa, have traveled a great distance. Each structure was painstakingly disassembled, its pieces numbered, and in some cases, stored for many years. Once the museum site was established, these architectural puzzles were meticulously reassembled.
Architecture reflects social change
Some exhibits offer fascinating insights into how architectural trends have shaped daily life in Japan. The house of Sakae Okawa, built in 1925, is a prime example. Following the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, many residents moved from the city center to the suburbs in search of safer ground. Okawa’s home reflects this social migration and a new emphasis on family-centric living spaces.
Visitors can also stroll down a recreated shopping street from the early Showa period (1926-1989). Complete with a bathhouse, an inn, a working soba shop, a florist, and a soy sauce shop, this area feels like a movie set. It provides a wealth of interesting photo opportunities.
A lesson in preservation
A visit to the museum is always an educational experience. One of the most intriguing discoveries is the traditional farmhouses with straw roofs, which have fires burning inside year-round. While it may seem atmospheric, this practice serves a crucial purpose.
The constant warmth prevents moisture from seeping into the straw, which would otherwise lead to rot. With replacement costs for these roofs reaching a prohibitive ¥30,000,000, keeping the fires lit is a necessity, even during the summer.
This museum is a treasure trove of history, filled with magnificent buildings that tell the story of Japan. Interestingly, some designs feel contemporary and wouldn’t look out of place in modern Tokyo.
Visitor Information
Exhibits to photograph
The museum boasts a wide array of fascinating buildings, including:
- Residences of both wealthy and middle-class families
- A vintage photo studio
- A traditional florist shop
- A fire lookout post
- A palace (which serves as the museum’s entrance)
- The gate from an Edo-period clan mansion
- A public bathhouse
Many of the interiors are furnished with period-appropriate items, such as old telephones, Buddhist altars, soy sauce bottles, and cutlery. This adds to the authenticity of the experience.
Photography tips for the museum
- Embrace High ISO: The interiors of the buildings can be quite dark.
- Leave Tripods and Flash at Home: Their use is not permitted.
- Go Wide: Many of the interior spaces are compact, making a wide-angle lens a valuable tool.
- Commercial photography: Not allowed without permission.
Location & access
Address: 3-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei, Tokyo
Train Access: Take the Chuo Line to Musashi-Koganei Station. From the north exit, take a Seibu Bus from platform 2 or 3 and get off at the “Koganei Park West Exit.” The museum is within the park. The walk from the station takes approximately 30 minutes.
Here is the museum on Google Maps:
Opening hours
- April to September: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- October to March: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
- Closures: The museum is typically closed on Mondays. It is advisable to check the official website before your visit, as it may close for special events.
Admission costs
¥400
A brief history of the museum
Since the Edo period, Tokyo has lost a significant number of its historical buildings to fires, floods, earthquakes, and war. This loss continues today due to ongoing social and economic development. In response, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in 1993. Its mission is to relocate, reconstruct, preserve, and exhibit buildings of great cultural value for future generations.
Final thoughts
For anyone with a love for architecture and history, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is a must-visit destination. With its incredible collection of authentic buildings, you can easily spend hours exploring. The museum is also accessible to international visitors, with excellent English signage throughout.
As a final tip, remember to pick up a plastic bag at the entrance. You will be asked to remove your shoes before entering the buildings, and the bag is for you to carry them as you explore.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
