Outline

Purpose

　Since the Edo period, Tokyo has lost many valuable historical buildings because of fires, floods, earthquakes and warfare. Today, the city’s valuable cultural heritage is still being eroded due to social and economic changes.

　In 1993, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the seven-hectare Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum as the Edo-Tokyo Museum Annex. This museum aims to relocate, reconstruct, preserve, and exhibit historical buildings of great cultural value that are impossible to preserve at their original location, as well as to pass on these valuable cultural heritages to future generations.

Exhibits

《Introduction at Visitor Center》

　Exhibits about the architectural history and building structures of Edo and Tokyo are displayed for better understanding.

《Reconstructed architecture and scenes of daily life》

　Here you can see buildings of great cultural value, which were constructed in Tokyo between the early Edo period and the middle of the Showa period. We relocated those buildings to the grounds of our museum, and reconstructed their exteriors and interiors to display them as exhibits. Items that show how people conducted their lives and businesses in days gone by are exhibited inside the architecture.

《Architectural remains and reproduction of cityscape》

　This display features items related to archeology, history, and folklore as well as historical buildings investigated and collected by the former Musashino Folklore Museum. Reconstructed buildings also recreate the townscape of downtown and Yamanote.

《Collection of the former Musashino Folklore Museum / Special Exhibition》

　Collections from the former Musashino Folklore Museum are displayed, and special exhibitions focusing on various themes such as the history of the Tama area and restored buildings are held occasionally.

《The former Musashino Folklore Museum》

　The Musashino Folklore Museum was located at the site of this museum until 1991. Its theme was the history of Musashino from ancient times to the modern and contemporary periods. The valuable items taken over from the Musashino Folklore Museum are exhibited both in the exhibition rooms and outdoors.

Public relations

　We are conducting various activities to advertise the museum and familiarize the public with it. These include the events described below, special exhibitions and seminars.

《Museum talks》

　Our curator gives a guided tour of the museum and a lecture of about one hour beginning at 2:30 pm on the fourth Saturday of every month. (Schedule subject to change.)

《Seasonal events》

　Using the buildings and cityscape of the museum, we stage seasonal events that recreate the sights and sounds of historical times.

Volunteer activities

　Our volunteer group gives demonstrations of smoking out thatched-roof houses to protect them from insects by making a fire in the irori fireplace. Demonstrations are held between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm (3:00 pm in winter). Requests for the services of a volunteer tour guide (in Japanese only) should be made at least 15 days in advance. Please inquire by phone for details.

Outline

1993

March 28
A branch of the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum opens in Koganei City with 12 traditional reconstructed buildings.
June 20
Stationery Store “Takei Sanshodo” opens (the 13th building).
November 1
The first Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Magazine is issued.

1994

Starting from February 8
The first Special Exhibition The Lifestyle and Culture of the Hachioji Guards is held (until March 21).
March 4
“Hanaichi” Flower Shop opens (14th building).
November 1
Tailor’s Workshop opens (15th building).

1995

June 13
House of Okawa in Den’enchofu opens (16th building).
October 18
Jisho-in Mausoleum (Otama-ya) opens (17th building).

1996

March 26
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit the Museum.
September 25
Residence of Hachirouemon Mitsui opens (18th building).

1997

January 28
House of Kunio Mayekawa opens (19th building).
March 25
Tokiwadai Photo Studio opens (20th building).
October 10
Farmhouse of the Tsunashima Family opens (21st building).

1998

February 28
House of Koide opens (22nd building).
March 4 - May 5
5th Anniversary Project of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum launched.
March 28
5th Anniversary of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.
April 1
Old warehouse-style rest house opens.
May 17
Number of visitors tops one million.
June 2
House of Uemura opens (23rd building).
July 5
Tea Arbor “Kaisuian” opens (24th building).
August 1
Volunteer activities are formally launched.
November 14
Maruni Shoten (Kitchenware Store) opens (25th building).

1999

June 20
The Museum’s mascot character is nicknamed Edomaru.
October 16
Outdoor exhibit City Train Model 7500 unveiled.
November 27
Cosmetics Manufacturer “Murakami Seikado” opens (26th building).

2000

January 28
Kawano Shoten (Oil-Paper Umbrella Wholesale Store) opens (27th building).
October 11 - 29
The photo exhibition Koganei from a Little While Ago is held in the Visitor Center. Photo exhibitions based on different themes have been held there ever since.

2001

April 1
The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Tomo no Kai (Friends of the Museum) is launched.
July 20 - August 30
Hijirokko Mukashi Juku for child volunteers is launched.

2003

March 28
10th Anniversary of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.
April 18
Number of visitors tops two million.

2006

April 1
The Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture is assigned to oversee the management and operation of the Edo-Tokyo Museum until the end of FY2008.
October 21
Number of visitors tops three million.

2008

March 28
15th Anniversary of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

2009

Starting from April 1
The Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Group is assigned to oversee the management and operation of two more facilities other than the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

2010

December 11
Ceremony held to celebrate over four million visitors to the Museum since its opening.

2011

March 12, 13 and 15
Museum is temporarily closed due to the Great East Japan Earthquake (March 14 is a regular holiday).
September 3
Mantoku Inn and Yamatoya Store (Grocery Store) open (28th and 29th buildings). A project to commemorate the restoration of the two buildings is held. The ceremony to commemorate the opening of Yamatoya Store (Grocery Store) is titled Restored! A Grocery Store from the Showa Period (until September 4).

2013

March 23 - 29
20th Anniversary Project of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum launched.
March 23
The 20th Anniversary Symposium of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Open Air Museums in the Future, is held.
April 20
House of George de Lalande opens (30th building). Musashino Sabo Cafe opens inside the House of George de Lalande.

2014

March 27 - 30
Project to commemorate the Museum’s 20th Anniversary and its completion of 30 buildings is held. It is titled The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Festival.
March 27
The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Festival Symposium Commemorating the Completion of the 30th Building is held. It is titled Open Air Museums in the Future II.

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