Edo-Tokyo Museum

History museum · Sumida ·

Edo-Tokyo Museum

History museum · Sumida ·

Life-sized recreations, models, and artifacts detail Tokyo's history

Information

1 Chome-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan Get directions

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"An impressive dichotomy of massive modern architecture on the outside and a subdued, scholarly-yet-approachable atmosphere on the inside, this tribute to the history of Tokyo houses a large number of life-sized dioramas and recreations of what life in the city was like until the middle of the last century, including a 1-to-1 scale replica of the wooden incarnation of the iconic Nihonbashi bridge, the real version of which has long since been replaced with a stone one. Guided tours in English are available, as are a number of live performances including kabuki and noh theater."

The Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Edo-Tokyo Museum

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

10 Best Museums in Tokyo | Condé Nast Traveler

"Journey 400 years back in time to Japan’s past, when shoguns ruled the isolated nation with an iron fist. The Edo-Tokyo Museum recreates this formative era through detailed architectural models and scale reconstructions of Tokyo’s historic neighborhoods. Original woodblock prints and maps round out the nuanced picture. The museum highlights not only the larger political forces at play, but also the day-to-day lives of ordinary citizens. To enter the permanent exhibition area, visitors walk across a reproduction of the Nihonbashi Bridge before peering into replicas of tenement houses and other long-lost landmarks. As you move through the exhibits, you’ll learn about everything from the Edo period’s robust publishing industry to the rise of arts such as kabuki theater and ukiyo-e, or woodblock printing. After thoroughly exploring the past, the museum takes visitors through Tokyo’s rapid transformation from a sheltered, feudal society to a globally oriented 21st-century metropolis." - Diana Hubbell

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-tokyo

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Edo-Tokyo Museum

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

13 must-see museums in Tokyo for anime, art, architecture and more - SilverKris

"Housed in a warehouse-style building in Ryogoku, this immersive museum explores Tokyo’s Edo-period history with life-sized reconstructions including a grand Kabuki theatre that visitors can enter, extensive artefacts, miniature villages and dioramas that bring historical urban life to vivid detail; currently closed for renovations until 2025." - James Wong

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/arts-culture/galleries-museums/must-visit-museums-tokyo/

Edo-Tokyo Museum

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

How to keep kids entertained in Tokyo - SilverKris

"A museum that brings Japanese history to life for younger visitors through meticulously detailed scale models of the Edo, Meiji, and Showa periods and a life-size replica of Nihonbashi bridge, making historical scenes tangible and easy to explore." - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/family-friendly/activities/keep-kids-entertained-tokyo/

Edo-Tokyo Museum

Rich

Google

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a fascinating place to visit. You get to step back in time and explore the city's past with incredibly detailed, life-sized replicas of old buildings and daily scenes. It's a wonderful way to learn about Tokyo's history and culture in a really immersive way.

Jazlyn F.

Google

Solo trip. These pictures were taken in February 2020. Best museum I’ve ever been to. Very spacious. Atmosphere was top tier. Says this place is temporarily closed. Can’t wait until it reopens.

Ryan R.

Google

Great museum for all ages! My wife and I went for an afternoon to escape the Tokyo heat and spent about 2.5 hours here. Tickets were 600 Yen each for the main exhibit. You can drop your bags on 1F or 7F (7F also has restaurant and library, 1F has cafes as well). The miniatures really show detail and such a small scale over a large area. You travel through the past couple hundred years of Tokyo in a very engaging way.

ioannis D.

Google

May 2019 my visit to the museum!!An amazing museum of Edo period (From ~1500 until ~1800 year) Incredible and infinite exhibits... They presented life in different aspects of daily life in Japan, There were also many models with the structure of an Edo period area!! Also incredible were the buildings and the figures of people in real dimensions that presented the routine of the time!! I also loved the interactivity they provided.... I remember there were 3 small rooms with how the lamps evolved, it was a real revolution every time... Great experience! I should emphasize that the museum was an architectural epic, spotlessly clean and there were several ways to tour!!Thank you Japan... Unforgettable experience from the look of the building, the perfect organization and tour even the souvenirs I bought were wonderful....!!

Neslihan P.

Google

This is one of the best museums I have ever visited. We learnt so much about the history of Tokyo and Japan. With replicas of so many different architectural structures, it is fun and educational. Spare some 3-4 hours for this place. Also there is a cool Japanese version of magic tricks show performed by every hour.

Beyond B.

Google

The entry ticket is 600yen till today. The Museum is has two portions, one is Edo period and the another portion is how the Tokyo is formed after Edo to current period. The artwork was simply mind blowing, even the small details were perfect, all are miniature product of old Japan within their residential areas, cars, clothes and how westernisation has established in Japan and many more. It is totally worth the visit, people who love history and who don’t like history will like these art works, kindly pay a visit you don’t regret.

Khek Ting C.

Google

Very impressive museum with lots of ancient Japan historic exhibition. Very unique long and high escalator straight up to the 6th floor.They provide the translation device under a deposit which can claim back, easier for us to understand in depth of the story behind. Very caring place as they even provide free drinking fountain to public inside the museum. I spend 4 hours inside the museum but still have not finished the museum exploration.

David P

Google

The Edo Tokyo museum was great to visit. The architecture on the exterior of the building is absolutely incredible. The price of entry is also very reasonable. We came around 10am on a Sunday of a holiday weekend in early May and we only had to wait 10 minutes to buy tickets. There are numerous displays that characterize the evolution of Tokyo, including its culture, economy, feudal reigns, etc. There are also many beautiful paintings and miniature replicas of communities that are worth seeing. We were glad to have purchased entry to the special exhibit and it was easily worth the price so buy the combo ticket! We didn't use any audio guides or guided tours but have read that they are good. Plaques have titles of objects in English but explanations are all in Japanese so use guide options if you are a museum buff.

Nadine C.

Yelp

Edo-Tokyo Museum I would have never gone to this museum if it weren't for my tour group! This was one of the many stops on our 13-day tour of Japan and it was an educational one. Our bus dropped us off and picked us up, so it was very convenient. The admission fee was included in our tour package. We just walked through and enjoyed. We saw how life was in Edo...before it became Tokyo. It was a simple life which emerged into the efficient society that it is today! From transportation, cooking techniques, and clothing... to garments, toys, and buildings, there was a bit of everything on display at this museum. I'm really glad that we got a chance to visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum!

Tim L.

Yelp

We visited a few days ago on a Saturday in July 2020. Due to COVID we weren't able to go inside the houses and buildings, which was a bit unfortunate. However, we still really enjoyed seeing the places. Not too many really old thatched roof type buildings (maybe 4 or 5) but we were able to walk into the entry areas of those and could see the kitchens and nice hardwood flooring throughout, old timbering, and lots of tatami mats. There are about 5 newish (less than 100 years old) houses that were really nice. One was huge. Quite western in style. Our fav part of the park is the eastern section where many old shop buildings were rebuilt into a Main Street style with shops on either side of the street. You get to step back in time at this outdoor museum. Well worth the time and cost. Only JPY 400 per person plus JPY 500 per car for parking.

Lyn L.

Yelp

Totally worth going to see the exhibits in this museum! The majestic building houses amazing displays of old Japan. They provide English speaking guides for free who will take you on a personalized tour and tailor it to the amount of time you decide. The wealth of knowledge is incredible and it's gives you a new perspective of old Japan. Display are so beautiful and detailed. The town scenes show a thousand people, each uniquely dressed and with different faces, certainly not mass produced in China! You start by walking over the huge replica of the bridle and into the past. Entry is only 6000 Yen for adults and 3000 yen for seniors (65 and older, be prepared to provide your passport). We

Jeanne N.

Yelp

Fabulous wandering through the history of Japan at the museum. I could have remained for hours more. 90 minutes was not enough. Visitors can listen to an explanation of the permanent exhibition using a headphone receiver. A refundable deposit will be required but well worth it as you wander the museum learning about the exhibits. I want to go again and spend more time. A fascinating museum full of history and artifacts. Be sure to see the "float".

William W.

Yelp

If you're going to visit the world's largest metropolitan area, you might as well appreciate its birth and maturation. And there is no better place to do so than the Edo Tokyo Museum. Life-size sets make you feel as though you've traveled back in time. Intriguing exhibits give one an appreciation of the city's unprecedented growth to modern-day megalopolis. Interactive displays and an extensive layout make this museum well worth your time! You'll witness ancient artifacts, expertly-crafted models, thorough research, and an abundance of English explanations. Oh, and that cold air-conditioning on an oppressively humid day. Bonus!!!

Ellen L.

Yelp

on a rainy afternoon, after having lunch with our friends with a 1 1/2 yr old boy (who had a lot of energy), we came here to check out this museum and watch the boy run around! fortunately, it is very family friendly with some displays that are touch 'n feel. but the main reason most people visit is to see the history of tokyo, from the early 19th century, to the present day. there are 2 main floors of exhibits, 5th & 6th floor, and you will need to allocate at least 2 hours to see both, maybe more if you like reading all of the little signs to understand what you're looking at (like me!) the 6th floor is known as the "edo zone" and boasts a large bridge, one that you can walk over, with some well-crafted displays of the edo castle and villages. the 5th floor has some exhibits from trade & commerce, the industrial age, war time, and modern era. there were also some exhibits where you could sit and pose for a picture such as old-school carriages and bicycles. there was also a movie theatre showing some short films and documentaries. i think my favorite was the display of the growing population density, as measured by the growth of the train/subway system and increase of housing costs in central tokyo and neighboring areas, starting from the 1950s to the present day. it was very interesting to compare and see how this city has grown and evolved to the current socio-economical structure. there are several gift shops and cafes available, if you need a souvenir or a bite to eat or coffee to drink. they also have multiple restrooms, all very clean and well-maintained. they even had a self-check for umbrellas which was free for visitors. this is a great place to take in tokyo history and well worth the ¥600 admission fee. hours of operation are 9.30-17.30, tues-fri & sun, and 9.30-19.30 on sat. museum is closed on mondays. conveniently located just steps from the ryogoku train station.

Liana L.

Yelp

With a student ID and the Tokyo pass 20% discount, my entrance fee was only 380¥! Even at full price, this museum is an absolute marvel and totally more than worth it. I thought I'd probably only spend an hour here, but ended up fascinated for 3 hours. The exhibits are comprehensive, informative and interactive. There are a lot of gorgeous photo ops and a lot of seating throughout if you need to take a break from standing so long. There's a room where the models actually move - it's truly stunning. Absolutely loved this museum and I'm so glad I found it! Don't forget to check out Ryogoku Edo Noren by the subway station for Edo-style food stalls.

Steph G.

Yelp

We were pleasantly surprised with this museum. It's just a few minutes by train or walking from the Asakusa area. Once you send the long escalator, you arrive into the display areas of the museum. It is presented in both English and Japanese. And if you need to have an audio tour, it is provided to you for free in various languages. I found it very interesting to walk around learning more about the history of the Edo period. It's not a very large museum but it is manageable especially if you are with younger kids in your family. There is also a small gift shop that had some interesting items for purchase. We spent about an hour and a half in the museum before we went onto our next activity. If I recall, the admission price was very reasonable for both adults and kids, and my daughter received the student price. I want to say it was ¥10 for adults. Public transportation is also close by if you are coming from other parts of the city and there are signs on the sidewalk directing you both this museum and the Hokusai museum which is also in the area.

Gemma H.

Yelp

What a find! This is a fabulous spot for at least half a day although you could easily spend a full day here. Lots of English around but most of the amazing looking posters (and there were many!) were in Japanese and you had to guess a little bit about what was going on. It's a must for anyone with an interest in history, and especially Edo history. And at 600yen it's a bargain.

Pamela K.

Yelp

I feel like there isn't much to add to what everyone posted. But do go. Totally worth the education and experience. The escalator @ the end is totally awesome!

Kelly M.

Yelp

Self-guided audio tour is a must. It contains a lot of information in an understandable way. But wish it went more in depth about shoguns and others in the historical context. It feels like it was dry and cursory. Also wish the path was easier to follow. Tourist discounts (adult entrance fee of Y480 instead of Y600) if you have a 24/48/72 hour subway pass or the Tokyo Travel Guide from the Tokyo Tourist Information Center. On a minor note: love that the audio guide and lockers are free. For both you pay money but get it back afterwards (Y1000 deposit for the audio tour and Y100 for the coin deposit locker).

Gigio S.

Yelp

It's a neat museum, worth checking out. (Especially on a rainy day!) They have some interesting historical artifacts, and a lot of replicas - which is really nice as you can touch and explore them closely. Overall well worth the 600 yen.

Ry T.

Yelp

We bought tickets at the counter outside the museum below the escalator, a lot cheaper to go to this museums for Y600 compared to what we pay for museums in the US. They had a special exhibit for an additional Y1000 to see one of their heroes, Sakamoto, but we decided to skip it. As it turns out, there is enough to see in the museum unless your sole purpose was to attend the special exhibit. I particularly enjoyed the early history of Japan and the 16 Shoguns, multiple warlords and fires, earthquakes which basically destroyed most of their castles and historic buildings of the past, how people lived and developments and cultural changes. The section about modern day Japan on the ground floor covers the pre-WW2 to post WW2 periods didn't interest me as much. I noticed none of those displays mentioned why and how Japan entered WW2. They were an imperialist state with military ambition to invade neighboring countries to be seen and recognized as a major world power. But none of their displays acknowledge this and the post-war comments were all about the bombing devastation and rebuilding. There are docents who can translate and take you on a tour. I listened in a few times and some have more knowledge and command of English than others. We rented the audio where you leave Y100 deposit and get it back when you return the audio on the 5th floor. There are limited places to eat. A couple of places on the bottom floor had very long waits. We decided to eat at the upstairs Japanese restaurant which cost more but you had a view and the traditional bento box meal was delicious. There isn't much

Miguel R.

Yelp

REVIEW # 800!!!! The Edo Tokyo Museum is truly a world class museum!!!! One of my favorites in the whole world!!!! The Edo period lasted from 1603 to 1868. You get to see what Tokyo looked like before and after World War Two. They have a life sized bridge and buildings inside an enormous and beautiful architectural wonder. There are also models of Tokyo during its heyday. They have interactive displays all over. Buy most, if not all your souvenirs here!!!! Trust me!!!! It's way better than the junk they sell in Asakusa which is known for it's cheapish souvenirs. I got tons of stuff and it's all pretty high quality stuff too!!!! The gift shop is truly amazing!!!! What can I do without at The Edo Tokyo Museum? Nothing. It's perfect!!!! What makes The Edo Tokyo Museum stand out? It's interactive exhibits and awesome gift shop!!!! Five stars!!!! The Edo Tokyo Museum is really, really ridiculously great!!!!

Steve N.

Yelp

This is a fine, world-class museum that you can visit to provide you with knowledge and insight about Tokyo. The building is remarkable and brilliantly designed to contain the collections and exhibits. If you're short on time, I suggest looking at Tokyo in the 20th and 21st centuries, and then going back in time. BONUS - good value TIP - 2-4 hours would be a good amount of time for the interested viewer TIP - have a 100 JPY coin(s) for the lockers

Danielle S.

Yelp

This was by far our favorite museum in Tokyo (not counting the Ghibli Museum because that's like comparing apples to oranges). The entrance is dramatic. You walk into an expansive outdoor plaza that spans under the massive building and beyond. The entire building is above you yet you still feel like you're outdoors in an open area. Go 7 floors up to the museum and be blown away upon entrance as a full sized bridge and full sized Kabuki theater replica INSIDE THE BUILDING meet you at the 7th floor entrance. Wow wow wow! The reason we loved this museum is because it's interactive. There's lots of hands-on experiences which makes the information relevant and memorable. I personally loved the block printing exhibit where it shows step by step how block printing is made using one of my all-time favorite Hiroshige prints as the example. There are lots of great museums in Japan and Tokyo but this one is the one we tell everyone about after our trip. Put it at the top of your list.

Daniel B.

Yelp

Great ethnographic museum with highly detailed models of old Tokyo, plus many exhibits to walk through. They had what amounted to an 18th century comic book shop, which was really interesting. We came here because we wanted a museum we couldn't get in New York or anywhere else. You're not going to find this stuff anywhere outside Japan. It's a lot of absorb but we felt okay picking and choosing what to read.

Carla C.

Yelp

for 600Yen ($5.50) you will know a lot of things about Japan, inhabitants and their rich culture. This place sums up all the facts you need to know how Edo became Tokyo. The exhibit is really huge and informative. Quick tip : as you go up, you can ask the concierge for an English speaking tour guide who will gladly accompany you all throughout the Museum to explain everything. I am in awe of this museum as I've been to many that I had to pay twice or even thrice, and provided nothing much. Japan's culture is rich on its own and is something i've always been interested to know more about.

Brett S.

Yelp

An excellent museum dedicated to the city, from its earliest days as a small village called Edo, to it's present state of the megalopolis Tokyo. It's a very large, well presented museum with tona of exhibits and information in both Japanese and English. They also have people willing to guide you around the museum, both Japanese and English speakers. If it's your first time in Tokyo, this is a museum you won't want to miss.

Eva K.

Yelp

This is a great museum if you want to learn the history of Edo (that later becomes Tokyo) and Tokyo. The museum itself has two exhibitions, the permanent and the special. The permanent is housed on the 5th and 6th floor while the special exhibition is housed in between those. The ticket office is at the entrance, of which is 3rd floor where it has elevator that goes straight to 6th floor to begin your museum journey before going down to 5th. The museum has impressive models that you could interact with. It's fun place to be with but unfortunately there is still lacking English signs here and there. I took a lot of silly pictures here with the models they have - the old Edo-style sushi cart, or old Tokyo style monocycle and rickshaw. They also have model houses from Tokyo back then and during the war. You don't only learn history here, but you learn it in the fun way as well (yes, fun and history are usually never together in one sentence in my world). It's recommended museum to go to but it's located near Ryogoku station, next to Sumo stadium, so it's a bit far off from the other museums at Ueno Park.

Jerry M.

Yelp

Wonderful and unique museum featuring hands on exhibits of medieval and modern architecture, technology and cultural artifacts of Edo-Tokyo. The center piece of the museum is a reconstruction of a wooden bridge which is also your entry point to the exhibits. This museum is a must see attraction and will give you a great overview of how modern Tokyo evolved. Highly recommend.

Jen B.

Yelp

Beautiful museum. Very well laid out. Displays were informative and impressive. Museum is located on the 5th and 6th floors. Cost to get in is minimal. Pictures are allowed but most displays are no flash. Very nice gift shop by entrance on first floor! They had beautiful hand made origami earrings:)

William S.

Yelp

Wonderful artifacts and house replicas. I don't read Japanese, most all explanations were English I only did the main exhibit. Fun two hours. Had umbrella storage and lockers that fit a large backpack and a coat. Cost 100 yen.

Ana D.

Yelp

Really cool museum! They have replicas of houses and of even a large theater.

Bernadette O.

Yelp

Beautiful museum with artifacts pioneering life of the Japanese people. Clean and spacious. Gift shops and small food kiosks available throughout.

Leslie S.

Yelp

The Edo-Tokyo Museum was such an under-promoted place to visit in Tokyo! It is located near the Sumo arena so it is good to plan a day trip here! Entrance fee is pretty reasonable. This place sure doesn't bore with the modern and Edo period sections of Tokyo history. What I am amazed is their 1:1 exhibits that is the same size as in the olden times such as the bridge and the theatre. It was fascinating and really presents its history and culture very well and immersing you into the Edo period era. The everyday lives of the people then, the tools, the roads, bridges, buildings, their costumes, their houses, the Geishas and many much more of their civilisation are all presented here! This is a world class museum and their exhibits are just displayed brilliantly and you just find yourself spending hours here.

Andrew C.

Yelp

I absolutely love this museum! It was a highlight of my trip and definitely gives you an appreciation for how often Tokyo has been rebuilt. From its humble beginnings as an inhabitable marsh to its redevelopment into a modern city during the Meiji era, you really get to appreciate the incredible transformation of the city. The English audio guide is essential to understanding all the exhibits. Expect to spend at least a few hours here. The exhibits include small-scale and large-scale models, artifacts and shows. It's walkable from Tokyo Skytree, but budget around 30-40 minutes.

Marc P.

Yelp

We really enjoyed the English guided tour there. Definitely worth checking out while you are in Tokyo.

Izumi N.

Yelp

We only had 2 hours to visit this museum before our Sumo wrestling tournament. I wish we had more time to look at everything. You can pay ¥1000 to get an english audio guide, i think its wort it. It's only ¥600 to get it, this was a great museum. I highly recommend it.

Jeff D.

Yelp

An excellent museum that covers the founding of Edo and it's evolution into Tokyo. Excellent exhibits across the entire range of the city's history, including the instrument of surrender that ended the Pacific War, where you can see how the Canadian representative signed the wrong line and they had to scratch out other titles and fill them in by hand to make sure the document was legally binding.

Michael N.

Yelp

I found this to be a pretty fascinating museum and a great spot to brush up on my Japanese (Tokyo in particular) history. From the outside, this odd looking building and courtyard didn't look like much of a museum. Once inside though, the museum had incredible artifacts from years past and some full sized exhibits to walk through and take in. Time wise, it took us a little over an hour to see the whole museum and read some of the exhibit signs. I believe you could probably spend a whole day in here if you are really interested in the museum. Just watch out for the hoards of Japanese school children on their class trips!

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Edo-Tokyo Museum

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

10 Best Museums in Tokyo | Condé Nast Traveler

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-tokyo

SeanPavonePhoto/Getty

Edo-Tokyo Museum

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

13 must-see museums in Tokyo for anime, art, architecture and more - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/arts-culture/galleries-museums/must-visit-museums-tokyo/

Edo-Tokyo Museum

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

How to keep kids entertained in Tokyo - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/family-friendly/activities/keep-kids-entertained-tokyo/

Edo-Tokyo Museum

Rich

Google

Jazlyn F.

Google

Solo trip. These pictures were taken in February 2020. Best museum I’ve ever been to. Very spacious. Atmosphere was top tier. Says this place is temporarily closed. Can’t wait until it reopens.

Ryan R.

Google

ioannis D.

Google

Neslihan P.

Google

Beyond B.

Google

Khek Ting C.

Google

David P

Google

Nadine C.

Yelp

Tim L.

Yelp

Lyn L.

Yelp

Jeanne N.

Yelp

William W.

Yelp

Ellen L.

Yelp

Liana L.

Yelp

Steph G.

Yelp

Gemma H.

Yelp

Pamela K.

Yelp

I feel like there isn't much to add to what everyone posted. But do go. Totally worth the education and experience. The escalator @ the end is totally awesome!

Kelly M.

Yelp

Gigio S.

Yelp

Ry T.

Yelp

Miguel R.

Yelp

Steve N.

Yelp

Danielle S.

Yelp

Daniel B.

Yelp

Carla C.

Yelp

Brett S.

Yelp

Eva K.

Yelp

Jerry M.

Yelp

Jen B.

Yelp

William S.

Yelp

Ana D.

Yelp

Really cool museum! They have replicas of houses and of even a large theater.

Bernadette O.

Yelp

Beautiful museum with artifacts pioneering life of the Japanese people. Clean and spacious. Gift shops and small food kiosks available throughout.

Leslie S.

Yelp

Andrew C.

Yelp

Marc P.

Yelp

We really enjoyed the English guided tour there. Definitely worth checking out while you are in Tokyo.

Izumi N.

Yelp

Jeff D.

Yelp

Michael N.

Yelp

Edo-Tokyo Museum

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10 Best Museums in Tokyo | Condé Nast Traveler

13 must-see museums in Tokyo for anime, art, architecture and more - SilverKris

How to keep kids entertained in Tokyo - SilverKris

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10 Best Museums in Tokyo | Condé Nast Traveler

13 must-see museums in Tokyo for anime, art, architecture and more - SilverKris

How to keep kids entertained in Tokyo - SilverKris