Edo Tokyo Museum

The Edo Tokyo Museum was first established in 1993 and designed by Kiyonori Kikutake. Its’ unique elevated design was based off an old kura zukuri styled storehouse. Located in the sumo sector, also known as Ryogoku district, it features life sized models of structures from the Edo Period, miniature displays of the lifestyle back then, and artifacts dating all the up to the Showa Period. Part of the permanent exhibits is a replica of the iconic Nihonbashi Bridge, which used to be the first thing you see before entering Edo (present day Tokyo).

The Nihonbashi Bridge in the Edo Tokyo Museum breaks down the museum into two zones. On one side the exhibit focuses on the lifestyle and history of Tokyo during the Edo Period. There are various types of models that serve as examples. There are also reproductions of maps and ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) from that era further depicting the culture during that time. Across the bridge is the second zone where it depicts the evolution of Tokyo from the end of the Edo period all the way to the Showa Period. While in that zone you can see how feudal Edo turned into the modern Tokyo. Throughout the year the Edo Tokyo Museum will have special exhibitions with themes centering on Tokyo.