How did Tokyo become a bustling metropolis and leader in technology, innovation, and design? The Edo-Tokyo Museum chronicles Tokyo’s evolution from Edo, a small fishing village, to one of the most culturally and economically relevant cities of today. Featuring architecture, art, and special exhibitions from the 15th to early 19th century, this is a museum that you won’t want to miss.
Journey to the past as you visit the legendary Edo Castle, the historic Nihonbashi Bridge, and a reconstruction of the breathtaking Kabuki Theatre inside of the museum. Watch films in the Audio-visual Hall that cover the surreal experience of riding the Tokyo subways, or what it would be like if a boy from the future visited modern-day Tokyo.
View ancient artifacts from the reign of Genghis Khan or the Samurai swords of Sakamoto Ryoma as part of one of many special exhibitions held at the museum. The building itself is a sight to see. The Edo-Tokyo Museum is an impressive testament to post-modern architecture, fashioned after "an elevated-floor type warehouse," with multiple rectangular layers, jutting out into the Tokyo sky and covering more area than the Tokyo Dome Stadium.
The Edo-Tokyo Museum is easily accessible by subway, train, or tour bus. It is located in the Sumida-ku region, right next to the Ryogoku train station. Upon entering the museum, the lobby and hall are towards the front, the Special Exhibition Gallery, restaurants, and Audio-visual Hall towards the back, and the guide center and museum shop are in the center. With so much to see, there is something for everyone at the Edo-Tokyo Museum.
