Operated by the Tokyo Fire Department, this free museum is where you can learn about firefighting and disaster prevention through the centuries in Japan, presented through a series of woodblock prints, dioramas and historical documents. There’s also a collection of stunning vintage fire trucks in the basement. But it’s not all just show and tell. Kids can change into mini-sized firefighter uniforms on the third floor and explore the inside of a fire truck equipped with working sirens and participate in a virtual rescue mission while being seated in a helicopter. After exploring a large diorama outfitted with lights, sounds and videos showing an emergency fire demonstration, children can practice their skills in extinguishing a fire in the simulation corner.
Don’t miss the huge helicopter on the fifth-floor outdoor terrace as well – you can climb into the cockpit and get a sense of the scale of the Fire Department’s operations. The tenth floor, meanwhile, offers a panoramic view of the Shinjuku skyline, Tokyo Skytree and Mt Fuji on a clear day.