Go back in time to the old era of Japan
The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum that was first opened in 1993 is an open-air museum that is located within Koganei Park. There is a total of 30 buildings from the Edo up to the middle Showa Eras (1950s), which were brought over and restored in an area of about 7 hectares. These culturally valuable and historical buildings have been brought together in one place from their original locations where they wouldn’t have been able to be preserved, and as visitors appreciate the view of these old buildings from various eras, they can get a feel for the preserved furniture and daily livingware from those days.
Reproduction of old streets displayed in 3 areas
The museum has been divided into 3 zones. There is the Center Zone with its historical buildings of character, the East Zone in which old shops and the streets of shitamachi have been recreated, and the West Zone which exhibits houses in various styles. You can enjoyably experience a variety of residences ranging from farmhouses to uptown modern houses, the transition of old Japanese culture and the different lifestyles in the city and the countryside. In addition, old vehicles and furniture are on display, and there are plenty of unusual and nostalgic items such as the cannons used to announce the time from the end of 19th century to the mid 20th century, and the trolley cars of the 1960s.
Studio Ghibli and the museum
The museum mascot, Edomaru, was designed by the master of the anime world, Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki. Its adorable image of an insect matches the museum located in the nature-filled Koganei. Studio Ghibli and the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum are both located in the same area and have a cooperative relationship, with special exhibitions of Ghibli works in the museum gaining high praise. There are also examples of architecture which became points of reference for the movie “Spirited Away”, something that has thrilled Ghibli fans.