The Edo-Tokyo Museum is dedicated to the history of Tokyo during the Edo period, showcasing the period between 1603-1868, and documents the city's transformation from tidal flatlands to feudal capital to modern metropolis through detailed scale recreations of townscapes, villas and tenement homes, in addition to artefacts such as wonderful ukiyo-e woodblock prints and old maps. Reopened in March 2018 after a renovation, the museum also has interactive displays, multilingual touch-screen panels, and audio guides. Established in 1993, the main features of the permanent exhibitions include 50 large models such as the life size replica of the Nihonbashi, which was the bridge leading into Edo; the Nakamuraza theatre; and scale models of towns and buildings from the Edo, Meiji and Shōwa periods. Designed by Kiyonori Kikutake, the distinctive elevated shape of the museum building is modelled after an old storehouse in the kurazukuri style, and is the same as height as the 17th-century fortified tower at Edo-jō, the castle of the shogun.
Life size replica of the Nakamuraza Theatre
Higaki cargo ships transported goods such as sake and rice from the port city of Osaka
to Edo by water in the 17th century
Replica of Edo-era woodblock print shop
Hiroshige: Cherry Blossom Viewing on the Banks of the Tanagawa, 1856
Umeyashiki at Kameido by Hiroshige: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
The historic process of making woodblock prints using alternating blocks of carved wood with modulated colour to create beautiful works of art
Woodblock print depicting Edo-era soba stall
1833 Painting depicting the revered Firefighters of Edo who were in full action whenever a fire broke out, which could have dire consequences with the wood construction
Woodblock print of Kabuki actor in the attire of a firefighter
Utagawa Kunisada: Kabuki actor Sawamura Tossho II in dressing room, 1861
Vintage Kirin poster from the Showa period
Poster for Mitsuwa Toothpaste, 1926-31
Poster for Tsubame (Swallow) wash powered, 1912-26
1931 Ford Model 4-door sedan used for 1-yen taxis in Tokyo
Full size replica of the Nihonbashi, which was the wooden bridge leading into Edo,
and was the starting point of Japan’s extensive network of roads
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