This charming, 7ha open-air museum in Koganei Park first opened in 1993 as an annex of the Edo-Tokyo Museum housing detailed reconstructions of 30 buildings of high historical and cultural value from the Edo Period to the mid-Showa Period. The buildings were relocated to the museum in order to preserve a microcosm of Tokyo of days past, large parts of which were lost due to fires, earthquakes and war.
The restored buildings are divided into three zones. The East Zone contains examples of stores, sento public bathhouses, and a house that once belonged to a prestigious farming family. The Center Zone is focused on historical buildings such as the House of Korekiyo Takahashi, Japan’s former prime minister. Finally, the West Zone contains uptown residences and thatched-roof private houses. Some of the buildings can be entered and visitors are encouraged to explore them in detail, including the period tools and everyday objects exhibited in each of them.
On the second weekend of each month, visitors can watch craftspeople at work. Explanations in English are available for non-Japanese speakers.