Edo-Tokyo Museum reopens after four-year closure
Ryogoku might be best known for sumo wrestling at the Kokugikan, and its old Tokyo downtown feel. The area, however, also boasts a huge white building resembling an AT-AT walker from Star Wars - the Edo-Tokyo Museum. After being closed for renovations since April 2022, it is finally set to reopen on March 31, 2026 - and there's plenty that's new inside.
What is it about?
The Edo-Tokyo Museum tells the story of how Tokyo became, well, Tokyo. The permanent exhibition runs from the Edo Period through the Meiji Period and into modern times, spanning 400 years of history.
And it doesn't feel like your typical museum either; it's a huge space recreating entire environments with full-scale replicas of buildings and structures. Walk across a replica of the Nihonbashi bridge, explore old neighbourhood models, and get a real feel for how people lived throughout the times. Great for history lovers, families, just anyone curious about the city.
What has changed?
The closure wasn't just a quick tidy up - this was a proper, top-to-bottom overhaul addressing both exterior and interior spaces. The building originally opened in 1993, and some parts were starting to show their age.
A lot of the restoration went into the basics - better accessibility, updated safety systems, and improved visitor flow. The exhibitions feel noticeably fresher too, with newly introduced large-scale screens highlighting skyscapes from the Edo period as well as QR codes offering audio guides in 13 languages and digital information to exhibits.
In addition, several large-scale building models have been expanded within the exhibition, and the newly updated restaurant, cafe and museum shop contribute to a much better overall experience. Whether you're new to Tokyo or already familiar with its history, the updated museum feels fresh and engaging - and it's easy to spend hours here.
Ticket info
Admission for the permanent exhibition is 800 yen for adults. Temporary special exhibitions are priced separately at around 1300 yen.
