Back in 2022, Tokyo’s Edo-Tokyo Museum announced it would be temporarily closing for a long overdue renovation. No official reopening date was given at the time, but now we finally have the news everyone’s been waiting for: the museum is set to reopen on March 31 2026.
Located in the Ryogoku neighbourhood, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a popular destination for learning about Tokyo’s rich history, from the early Edo period (1603–1868) through to the present. Following the institution’s first major renovation since opening in 1993, the upcoming renewal promises updated exhibits and more interactive content to help visitors experience Tokyo on an even deeper level.
Some highlights of the renewed museum will include a full-scale reproduction of the Hattori Watch Shop, an iconic symbol of Meiji-era (1868–1912) Ginza, as well as a redesigned third-floor plaza overseen by world-renowned architect Shohei Shigematsu.
A number of special events are also planned in the run-up to the reopening. To mark 100 days until opening, a commemorative programme will be held December 18–21 on platform three at JR Ryogoku Station, also known as the ‘phantom platform’, as it’s typically closed and only accessible during special occasions. Here, visitors can enjoy free activities including a Heisei vs Reiwa exhibition, Japanese umbrella illuminations, and tastings of kamo nanban (noodles served in a hot duck dashi soup).
For more information on the reopening events, check out the flyer here (Japanese only). You can also find more details on the Edo-Tokyo Museum website.
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