Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum: Photo Guide

Paved path leading to a grand hall at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum under a vibrant blue sky. — *The visitor center was once a ceremony hall for the 2,600th anniversary of the first Emperor’s accession.*

Journey into Japan’s architectural past at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. It is a diverse collection that includes historical homes, traditional shops, and temples. Photographers can capture a side of Tokyo beyond its modern cityscape of concrete and steel. Every photograph taken here holds a piece of Japanese history, with some scenes providing insight into how societal shifts influenced daily life.

Real buildings, real stories

Every structure at the museum is an authentic historical building, not a replica. These are the actual places where people once lived and worked, some of which are connected to significant events in Japanese history.

Modern Japanese-style living room with dark wood floors, paper globe lamps, and floor-to-ceiling grid windows. — Kunio Mayekawa house interior

A powerful example is the former residence of Korekiyo Takahashi, who served as Prime Minister and held various ministerial roles during the 1920s and 30s. He was assassinated in this very house during the coup attempt of 1936, making it a site of considerable historical importance.

My favorite is the Jisho-in Mausoleum, built in 1652 for Lady Ofuri, a concubine of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The building is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, adorned with vibrant and intricate wood carvings.

The buildings have been sourced from various locations, mostly within Tokyo. However, some, like an elevated granary from an island near Okinawa, have traveled a great distance. Each structure was painstakingly disassembled, its pieces numbered, and in some cases, stored for many years. Once the museum site was established, these architectural puzzles were meticulously reassembled.

Ornate black and gold Japanese shrine on a red platform, nestled in a lush green forest at Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. — *Jisho-in Mausoleum is my favorite. It was built for a shogun’s wife.*

Architecture reflects social change

Some exhibits offer fascinating insights into how architectural trends have shaped daily life in Japan. The house of Sakae Okawa, built in 1925, is a prime example. Following the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, many residents moved from the city center to the suburbs in search of safer ground. Okawa’s home reflects this social migration and a new emphasis on family-centric living spaces.

Vintage dining room with floral wallpaper, a yellow scalloped lamp, and French doors leading to a sunlit parlor. — *Okawa house interior*

Visitors can also stroll down a recreated shopping street from the early Showa period (1926-1989). Complete with a bathhouse, an inn, a working soba shop, a florist, and a soy sauce shop, this area feels like a movie set. It provides a wealth of interesting photo opportunities.

Traditional Japanese house with tiled roofs and sliding doors in a lush garden under a bright blue sky. — *Hachirouemon Mitsui residence*

The art of preservation: Traditional thatched roofs

A visit to the museum is always an educational experience. One of the most intriguing discoveries is the traditional farmhouses with straw roofs, which have fires burning inside year-round. While it may seem atmospheric, this practice serves a crucial purpose.

The constant warmth prevents moisture from seeping into the straw, which would otherwise lead to rot. With replacement costs for these roofs reaching a prohibitive ¥30,000,000, keeping the fires lit is a necessity, even during the summer.

This museum is a treasure trove of history, filled with magnificent buildings that tell the story of Japan. Interestingly, some designs feel contemporary and wouldn’t look out of place in modern Tokyo.

Historic white house with a striking red roof and green shutters, set on a manicured lawn among tall trees. — *Georg de Lalande-house*

Best museum exhibits to photograph

The museum boasts a wide array of fascinating buildings, including:

Jisho-in Mausoleum for the wife of the third Shogun, Iemitsu. If you’ve been to Nikko or Ueno Toshogu, the design might look familiar.
The Mayekawa house wouldn’t look out of place in any city in the world.
A vintage photo studio
A traditional florist shop
A fire lookout post
A palace (which serves as the museum’s entrance)
The gate from an Edo-period clan mansion
A public bathhouse (amazing with its Mt Fuji mural)

Many of the interiors are furnished with period-appropriate items, such as old telephones, Buddhist altars, soy sauce bottles, and cutlery. This adds to the authenticity of the experience.

Two-story white house with large glass windows and sliding doors, nestled in a lush garden under a sunny blue sky. — *Koide house seen from the front garden.*

Photography tips for the Edo-Tokyo Museum

Embrace high ISO: The interiors of the buildings can be quite dark.
Go wide: Many of the interior spaces are compact, making a wide-angle lens a valuable tool.
Photography in the Butsuma (room for Buddhist altar), on the second floor of the Hachirouemon Mitsui residence is forbidden.
Lighting equipment is not permitted.
Commercial photography: Not allowed without permission.

Traditional wooden Japanese house with large grid windows, framed by a vibrant orange maple and lush green garden. — *Kunio Mayekawa residence*

Visitor Information: Location, access, costs, & hours

Location & access

Address: 3-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei, Tokyo
Train Access: Take the Chuo Line to Musashi-Koganei Station. From the north exit, take a Seibu Bus from platform 2 or 3 and get off at the “Koganei Park West Exit.” The museum is within the park. The walk from the station takes approximately 30 minutes.
Here is the museum on Google Maps:

Opening hours

April to September: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
October to March: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Closures: The museum is typically closed on Mondays. It is advisable to check the official website before your visit, as it may close for special events.

Admission fee

¥400

Traditional thatched-roof wooden granary nestled in a lush garden under a bright, cloud-filled blue sky. — *Elevated granary from Amami Oshima Island*

A brief history of the museum

Since the Edo period, Tokyo has lost a significant number of its historical buildings to fires, floods, earthquakes, and war. This loss continues today due to ongoing social and economic development. In response, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in 1993. Its mission is to relocate, reconstruct, preserve, and exhibit buildings of great cultural value for future generations.

Is the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum worth it?

For anyone with a love for architecture and history, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (official website) is a must-visit destination. With its incredible collection of authentic buildings, you can easily spend hours exploring. The museum is also accessible to international visitors, with excellent English signage throughout.

Traditional Japanese house with dark wood siding, tiered tiled roofs, and glass windows framed by lush green trees.

As a final tip, remember to pick up a plastic bag at the entrance. You will be asked to remove your shoes before entering the buildings, and the bag is for you to carry them as you explore. And if you enjoy this type of content, you should check out our article about the Japanese Sword Museum, weapons of war now presented as art.