My Review of the Edo-Tokyo Museum – and it’s Definitely Worth Seeing

So I did something the other day that I don’t normally do. I went to Tokyo. To visit a museum.

And I actually liked it!

Museums aren’t really my thing. But when my Ibaraki friend said he was coming into town to visit and he had some museums on his list, I thought museums…isn’t that…well…boring?

Then I recalled seeing some friends’ pictures of the Edo-Tokyo museum, which was on his list. And it actually looked pretty cool, like a real life replica of Edo period Japan. And guess what? It was definitely worth the trip! I’ve never enjoyed a museum so much as I did the Edo-Tokyo museum. Just what makes it so great? It brings history to life. Usually museums are very static representations of historic items, paintings, sculptures, etc. The Edo-Tokyo museum does have these things. But they don’t stop there – they push the boundaries. Then – BAM. You’ve got history right in front of your eyes!

The main entrance to the exhibit at the Edo-Tokyo museum.

Definitely a Kodak moment! This is so going on Facebook.

The best known view of the Edo-Tokyo museum is the entrance to the main exhibit, a bridge overlooking a shrine and few historic buildings below. It’s a must-selfie spot. Everything is created full scale, making you feel like you’ve just stepped back in time.

Another unique attraction that sets this museum apart from others is their collection of dioramas, detailed replicas of Edo-era towns, castles, and temples complete with their own miniature populations (forget Legoland. This is Tokyo). This is the funnest part – each of the little characters is unique and doing something like selling food, giving a performance, or even just feeding the chickens. There are so many and they’re so tiny there are binoculars to look through so you can see all the painstaking detail.

Just another day in Edo, Japan.

Binoculars are a must to appreciate all the painstaking details in the dioramas at the Edo-Tokyo museum.

What makes these dioramas come to life even more are mini “shows” every fifteen minutes.

Something different happens with each one, so you have to visit each to find out – in some the figures dance or move, while in another, part of a cathedral slides away so you can see all the detail on the inside, and in another a wall moves up or down to provide an inside peek.

A miniature fortress.

This one is my favorite!

The show's about to start!

Surprise! You can peek inside this beautiful cathedral every fifteen minutes!

Dioramas are cute and all, but the Edo-Tokyo museum goes one step further and sets up all sorts of interactive activities spread throughout the museum. You can try lifting baskets, take a “ride” in a palanquin (or pose for pictures), give a fire alarm pole a twirl (much harder than it looks), and take on an I spy challenge using those binoculars to find certain citizens in the dioramas. Even harder than finding Waldo!

Only 1,500 figurines? Bring it on!

Old school automobiles.

Proceed with extreme caution. We couldn't seem to figure out how to give this a "twirl" (very deceptive) without whacking ourselves in the face. In the end it's safer to just pose for a picture.

There are plenty of other photo spots too, such as these rickshaws and bicycle.

There’s also a lot of beautiful art on display, like this detailed process of making ukiyo-e. You can even take a tour of a house! Basically, don’t forget to bring your camera. Luckily the Edo-Tokyo museum allows you to snap away to your heart’s content.

All the layers involved in making one ukiyo-e print.

One of the most eye catching displays is this life-sized display with a geisha, lord, and samurai.

Plus you can learn a lot of interesting things about Edo-era Japanese life! For instance, this is why there are holes in the 5 and 50 yen coins – people used to carry their money on strings!

There are tons of other life-sized replicas showing everyday Japanese life, like this cool sushi cart.

Looks good enough to eat!

And this noodle cart.

You can learn how currency worked back then – basically everything was in terms of how much rice you get get for your money, showing how indispensable rice has always been in Japan.

Here you can learn about working conditions back in the ol' Edo period. Basically nothing has changed.

The Edo-Tokyo museum isn’t just about history – it takes you on a tour all the way up to the present! Once you’ve marveled at all the historic stuff, drained your cell phone’s battery taking pictures, and strained your muscles trying to lift those fish baskets, wait to be amazed by the last leg of the museum! Seriously, I was surprised it went on! I was ligit tired, but I wanted to see it all, so I persevered.

Vintage wheels.

You can see vintage cars, learn about how Japanese lifestyle has changed over the years, see one of the very first English textbooks, and take a look at the evolution of school lunches, which interests me because I had to eat them for two years working at public school. According to the display, in the 2000s we're supposed to get milk, salad, miso soup, egg rolls, stir-fried noodles, and yogurt and fruit for dessert. Yeah, that's way more than we actually get. Interesting that whoever made the exhibit thought that school lunches were important enough to document and include here.

A look at school lunch in the 1960s: "soft noodles with curry sauce, milk, vegetables in sweet and sour sauce, fruit, and cheese."

70s: "butter roll, milk, deep-fried cheese roll, chop suey, and fruit."

80s: "boiled barley and rice, milk, steamed egg custard, freeze-dried tofu with dressing, miso soup, and julienned cabbage."

90s: "yakisoba, candied sweet potato, shredded radish salad with dressing, chive egg soup, fruit, and milk."

After all that – seriously, you can easily spend hours here – you’ll probably be hungry, but this place has you covered with three restaurants, one of which is a Japanese tea room, plus there are not one but two gift shops selling traditional goods perfect for your friends back home. The Tokyo-Edo museum is packed with stuff to see and do, so you definitely get your money’s worth – and it’s already a very affordable 600 yen (just under 6 US dollars). If you want to see the special exhibit, which rotates throughout the year, it's an additional fee – but you probably won't even have time to see it. There is English explanation for most things in the exhibit, but not for everything, although you can hire a guide – or eavesdrop off someone else’s. There's also a second, little-known location, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architecture Museum. It's in a completely different location west of Tokyo near Musashi Koganei station. I haven't checked it out yet but my friend really recommends it. You can read his review here.

Basically, you’ll never get bored here! If you’ve been to Tokyo so many times you’re running out of things to do besides eat and shop, look no further than the Edo-Tokyo museum! And be prepared to fall in love with museums.

The Tokyo-Edo museum is a convenient 3 minute walk from the West exit of Ryogoku station on the JR Sobu line, or a 1 minute walk from the A4 exit (Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan-mae) of Ryogoku station via the Toei Subway Oedo line.