Visiting Edo Architectural Museum of Tokyo

Day Two and we headed back into the city to visit the Edo Architectural Museum of Tokyo.  Tomoko organized a guide who was excellent. He spoke very good English and was extremely interesting.

We spent several hours wandering around the museum which had historic and antique displays, maps, videos, puppet displays....... as well as interactive displays and antique vehicles… a penny farthing bicycle, horse and carts and other historic forms of transport  set up for visitors to sit in …..irresistible to big and little kids alike !

Penny Farthing and Cart

We got the full history of Edo which Tokyo was previously called, until the Meiji period in 1868. The museum gives you a wonderful history walk through to today and many things we have seen at different times in Japan and wondered about fell into place.

Model of Traditional Japanese House Interior

For example - The fire service was an  important organization,  as you can imagine with all the wooden buildings. All the different standards representing each fire group were displayed.  Below the logo displayed on a large shield they have these long wide leather strips at the very top of the pole rather like a large mop head, which they could twirl. .I have often wondered what they are and why they are designed like this. The revelation was that these are to keep the sparks from the fire off the carriers head. Very clever!

Miniature Village Models

There were intricately detailed models of villages and displays of the interiors of houses, geisha houses, kimono and fabric shops and much more.  The large wooden bridge you cross as you walk in is a half size replica of Nihonbashi Bridge.

You can stand on the bridge and overlook the replica Nakamura Theater which has regular activities and shows,  but unfortunately we missed them as the theatre was closed at 4.00pm before we had finished our tour with the guide.  There are several interactive displays and you learn about the many things that have shaped Tokyo city today.

Replica Nihonbashi Bridge

Replica Nakamura Theatre

View of Replica Nihonbashi Bridge and Nakamura Theatre

There are several parts to the museum. The Edo period, Tokyo -  which is about the westernization of the city, while one level is totally devoted to the Edo Castle.

As we left we passed the Sumo Stadium where there were competitions going on. You can often go and watch some sumo here if you are interested.