Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

We take the train to Kokubunji on the west side of Tokyo to visit the Architectural Museum, a preservation of historic urban structures from the region. Founded in 1993, the complex houses buildings and artifacts generally from the Edo period (1868-1912) and beyond. There is a Musashino Folklore Museum within that does have some older artifacts from neighboring the neighboring district.

The museum is reminiscent of the Genesee Country Village and Museum, but much smaller. There’s a lot of open space in-between the re-located structures, and some re-enactors are present (there were no events happening during our visit). Many of the structures required us to take off our shoes at the door, which I found to be a bit annoying (I happened to be wearing laced up boots).

 

The houses were sparingly decorated with items from their respective times, but felt very empty and unoccupied. House of Kunio Mayekawa.

 

 

Hachirouemon Mitsui

 

 

 

Outside. Upper Section of a fire watch tower.

 

City train model 7500.

 

Shitamachi-naka Street is laid out like a small town with various shops and and inn (now serving Udon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Umbrella Shop

 

 

Public Bathhouse

 

 

 

 

Bar

 

Inn, Stationary Store, Flower Shop, Umbrella Shop

 

 

Entrance to farmhouse estate

Farmhouse

 

 

Interesting toilet

 

 

 

 

 

The Tokiwadai Photo Studio’s 2nd floor had a frosted glass window that let in light perfect for portraits.

 

A handful of the preserved buildings had western inspiration. This German-style house was also a cafe.

I had curried Pumkin

Jelly and fruit dessert.

Cake Cream Roll and Ice Cream

 

Farmhouse