Edo Tokyo Museum

The Edo-Tokyo Museum in the Yokoami neighbourhood of Sumida opened in 1992 and traces the city's history from Tokugawa Ieyasu's founding of Edo in 1590 through the post-war era. The striking building, designed by Metabolist architect Kiyonori Kikutake, is raised on tall piers like a granary and is visible from afar next to the sumo arena. Inside, a walkable replica of the wooden Nihonbashi bridge leads into a 1:1 reconstruction of 17th-century Edo, with detailed models of theatres, shops and homes. Rotating exhibits cover woodblock prints and everyday Edo objects. Note: The museum has been closed for a full renovation since April 2022 and is scheduled to reopen in 2026.