Location:
Edo Tokyo Museum is located in Sumida City, one of Tokyo’s 23 special wards. It is also called the Tokyo Edo Museum or Edo Museum in Tokyo.
Moreover, it is one of the most famous museums in Tokyo.
Most importantly, the Tokyo Edo Museum is just next to Ryogoku Station. In addition, the Edo-Museum is also next to the National Sumo Stadium.
The location became a famous tourist spot because the National Sumo Stadium and Edo-Museum are in the same place next to each other.
Interestingly, Edo-Museum features the Edo period and modern Tokyo models between 1590- 1964. It is impressive to experience a few centuries in one place, which is impossible to see in real life.
But, Edo Museum made impossible matters possible where visitors get a better experience of the Edo Period.
History:
The Edo Museum in Tokyo is a historical museum located in the Ryogoku district in Sumida City, opened in March 1993. The primary purpose of the Edo Tokyo Museum was to preserve Edo’s cultural heritage, featuring city models of Edo and Tokyo between 1590 and 1964, the first museum dedicated to the history of Tokyo.
Some of the main features of the permanent exhibitions are the life-size replica of the Nihonbashi, a bridge leading into Edo; scale models of buildings and towns across the Edo Meiji and Showa periods.
Moreover, the location of the Edo Tokyo Museum was chosen mainly for a famous painter of Katsushika Hokusai, who was born in the Ryogoku area in the Sumida ward, where Edo culture flourished.
It is worth mentioning that the Sumida Hokusai Museum is only 2 minutes walk from Edo Tokyo Museum, dedicated to Ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai.
What’s Edo:
The Edo period is between 1603 and 1868. Sometimes, it is called the Tokugawa period.
Japan ruled under the Tokugawa Shogunate (Military ruler and 300 regional Daimyo (Feudal Lords). The period is identified unity, economic growth, arts, cultural development, and strict social order as a peaceful society.
The old name of Tokyo was Edo.
In a word, Edo was a fishing village. But it became powerful because of Tokugawa Shogunate.
Edo means Estuary, which means a settlement’s meeting point of the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay.
However, during the Edo period, Tokyo was only divided into two Shitamachi and Yamanote. Now, it is divided into 23 special wards.
Features:
Tokyo is one of the modern cities in the world. But the development of Tokyo did not come in one day. Instead, the main development started during the Edo Period.
Those who want to know more about the Edo period should visit the Edo Museum in Tokyo. Visitors can understand more about Edo Period.
Most importantly, among many historical exhibitions, the Nihonbashi bridge, Kabuki theatre, old model car, telephone, villages, houses, castles, Samurai, Rickshaw, and shops are more attractive.
In short, the whole of Tokyo is drawn at the museum. Therefore, the museum is very helpful in the study and research programs.
Structure:
A famous Japanese architect, Kiyonori Kikutake, designed the Edo Tokyo Museum similar look to a traditional Japanese rice storehouse. The museum covers a vast area measuring 30,000 square meters and 62.2 meters high.
In addition, the most exciting fact the height of the museum is the same as Edo-Castle, a part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, situated in Chiyoda City.
Kiyonori Kikutake designed the Edo-museum building structure in an excellent way that differentiates it from other surrounding buildings.
The museum is an eight-story building. Seven floors are elevated off the ground, and one is below grown. However, the first floor contains a museum-related shop, ticket counter, and restaurants.
But, the main entrance is on the 3rd-floor. The hole-shaped red escalator starts from the first floor. Tourists can enjoy fantastic Japanese artworks while on the way to the main museum hall.
The main museum hall is combined with the 5th and 6th floor. Moreover, the 7th floor is for a library containing 560,000 texts and cultural books related to Edo and Tokyo.
Nihonbashi bridge:
As soon you enter the 6th floor you will see a nice wooden bridge. It is a replica of the Nihonbashi bridge built in the 17th century in Nihonbashi.
In Tokyo Edo-Museum, the Nihonbashi wooden bridge is the first attraction because tourists can see it first and find out it is different from the bridge we see every day.
It is a perfect wooden bridge.
Nihonbashi bridge is located in Nihonbashi, one of the busiest business areas in Chuo City. Nihonbashi bridge carries a bronze signpost saying ‘Origin of roads of Japan.’
The area is very close to Imperial Palace and covered with tall buildings. However, some of the restaurants and stores are still bearing Edo-culture.
The bridge is considered one of the historic bridges. Besides, the area has some historic buildings. These buildings are considered cultural properties, such as the Headquarters of the Bank of Japan and Japan’s first department store Mitsukoshi Main Store.
Edo-period car:
Japan is a developed country and produces modern super modern cars. People usually do not want to think about what kind of vehicles were used in the past.
But if you visit Edo-Museum, you will get a clear idea about it. It is unbelievable how technology developed in Japan within a few centuries.
One of the excellent witnesses here is an Edo-style old car. You may not like it. But when we think about the Edo period, it is very precious and worth seeing the car here.
Edo Rickshaw:
During the Edo Period, pulling rickshaws were very popular. Usually, rich and high-class people used these types of rickshaws.
A nice rickshaw is kept at the Edo Museum in Tokyo so that visitors can get some ideas about old Edo-style rickshaws. But nowadays, rickshaws do not bear any sign of any class in Tokyo because people use modern vehicles.
However, some rickshaws are in the Asakusa area, and tourists can ride on them for fun. Furthermore, anyone can book a rickshaw online to experience an Edo-style rickshaw ride.
You can learn more about a Rickshaw tour here.
Asakusa area:
In Edo, Asakusa was the first area where Western-style entertainment first started. Besides, Western-style arts, cultures, and media growth, such as newspapers and magazines, started in Asakusa.
The people of Japan began thinking about culture, entertainment, and development outside of Japan. That is why some people believe Asakusa was the heart of Tokyo.
But, Asakusa is one of the traditional Japanese in districts where most shops sell traditional Japanese souvenirs. Besides, most of the restaurants and shops workers use traditional Japanese dress.
Interestingly, an Edo-style rickshaw, one of the most popular rides among tourists in Japan, is still found in Asakusa. Tourists can book a rickshaw online in advance and enjoy it.
It is worth mentioning that nowadays, Asakusa is one of the most visited tourist spots and the Sensoji Temple is the center of the area.
Surroundings:
What is the surrounding interest of the Edo Museum in Tokyo?
Most people are interested in seeing the museum and the surrounding location, building structure, and fresh air.
Moreover, the surroundings of the museum are full of tourist spots. As I mentioned above, the National Sumo Stadium is next door. Besides, the Japanese Sword Museum and Yokoamicho Park are just one minute’s walk toward the Edo-Museum east.
Besides, instead of coming towards National Sumo Stadium, you would reach the Eko-in Temple if you go in the opposite direction.
Sword Museum, Yokoamicho Park, Eko-in Temple, and Edo-Museum are almost open on weekdays. But National Sumo Museum is different. It is usually available during the game.
So, some tourists do not get a chance to visit the National Sumo Stadium sometimes. But, there is a solution for those who want to see what a Sumo Stage looks like.
A mall located at the Ryogoku station called Ryogoku Edo Noren, with a Sumo Stage replica measuring the same size. Visit it for your experience.
Admission Fee:
Adult: 600 Yen
Seniors(over 60 years): 300 Yen
College & Vocational Students: 480 Yen
Junior High Students are free.
Opening hours:
9:30 – 17:30 (Saturday：9:30 – 19:30)
The last Entry is 30 minutes before closing
Generally, Monday is closed but it is open if Monday is a National Holiday and closed the next day.
How to access:
Nearest Station: Ryogoku Station
Walk distance:
# 3-minute walk
West Exit of Ryogoku Station (JR Sobu Line)
#1-minute walk
A4 Exit of Ryogoku Station (Toei Subway Oedo Line
& Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan-mae)
Address:
1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015
(Special Note:
The Edo-Tokyo Museum was opened in 1993. It has continued operation for about 30 years, and it needs a large-scale renovation. So, the museum will be closed from April 1, 2022, until the end of 2025)
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