Edo-Tokyo Open Architectural Museum / Japan

The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum has been on my list for a while. The House of Kunio Maekawa, seen here was my main motivation. 

Edo is the former name of Tokyo, as well as the time period between (1603-1867).  However, the buildings in the museum go well beyond that time period. Most are from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) or more recent. The way the museum describes it, during the Edo period, Tokyo lost a large number of important historical buildings because of fires, floods, earthquakes and war. This continues today through redevelopment in a rapidly changing Tokyo.

　In 1993, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the museum. The mission "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."

The house was built in 1942 by architect Kunio Maekawa (1905-1986), for himself. It was originally located in the Shinagawa Ward of Tokyo. The design is that perfect balance between traditional and modern architecture and materials. 

It was his primary residence until 1974 . After Maekawa passed away in 1986, the house was reconstructed at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum using the original materials. 

Tokiwadai Photo Studio (1937)

Second House of the Nishikawa Family (1932)

One section of the museum is set up like an old Tokyo town with shops and even a streetcar. It's model 7500, which used to run between Shibuya Station, Shinbashi, Hamacho-nakanohashi, and Suda-cho.

I wonder if the outfit was planned?

Stationery store “Takei Sanshodo” (1927) on the left and “Hanaichi” Flower Shop (1925) on the right

Police Box at the Mansei Bridge from the Meiji Period (1868-1912)

House of Uemura (1927) is covered in copper.

Mantoku Inn, built at the end of Edo period to beginning of Meiji period.

The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum Architectural Museum (江戸東京たてもの園, or Edo Tōkyō Tatemono "Edo Tokyo Buildings Garden") is definitely worth a little trip out into the suburbs of Tokyo. It's a little hike from the train station but not too bad. At 17 acres, there is a lot to see. I only a posted a small number of the buildings.