Edo-Tokyo Museum, Tokyo Travel Guide

The Edo-Tokyo Museum, located in the Ryogoku district, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Edo (the former name of Tokyo) and Tokyo. Opened in March 1993, the museum's exhibits cover the period from 1590, just before the Edo period began, to 1964. The museum is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in 2026.The museum features a variety of exhibits, including a life-size replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge, which was the bridge leading into Edo. There are also scale models of towns and buildings from the Edo, Meiji, and Showa periods, as well as the Nakamuraza theatre. The museum vividly depicts daily life in the Edo period, showcasing entertainment, clothing, living conditions, and household items of the time. The museum also highlights the impact of major disasters, such as the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and the bombings of World War II, on the city.The Edo-Tokyo Museum was designed by architect Kiyonori Kikutake and is based on traditional rice storehouses. The building is 62.2 meters tall, the same height as the keep at the 17th-century Edo Castle. The museum also has a sister museum, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, which preserves multiple historic buildings.