The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei, Tokyo, is holding a special night opening on two autumn evenings. The open-air museum preserves 30 culturally valuable historic buildings, dating from the Edo period to the mid-Showa era, that were relocated because preserving them on their original sites was difficult. During the event, the museum extends its hours and lights the buildings with a soft glow.
Event Overview
Special Night Opening - Building Light-up (夜間特別開園 たてもののライトアップ)
- Dates: November 6 (Fri) and 7 (Sat), 2026
- Hours: 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM (the museum opens at 9:30 AM, and last entry is at 8:00 PM)
- Venue: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (3-7-1 Sakura-cho, Koganei City, Tokyo)
- Organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
- Website: Event page
An Autumn Evening Among Historic Buildings
Warm lights glow inside the buildings, and candles flicker across the plaza, giving the grounds a different atmosphere from the daytime. Visitors can stroll through the park after dark.
The gas lamp restored in the tailor shop is lit, and fires are lit in the hearth of a traditional house and the fireplace of a Western-style residence, so visitors can experience the light and warmth of earlier times.
Shitamachi Nakadori (下町中通り)
Highlights
- Hearth fire at a traditional house: A fire is lit in the hearth of the Tsunashima House (綱島家).
- Warm up by the fireplace: A fire is lit in the fireplace of the De Lalande Residence (デ・ラランデ邸).
- Old-fashioned lighting exhibit: Inside the inn (万徳旅館), visitors can experience the brightness of paper-covered andon lamps and kerosene lamps, and see a display of lighting tools from the past.
- Gas lamps: The gas lamp restored inside the tailor shop (仕立屋) is specially lit during the event.
- Warmth of a public bathhouse: The men's bath at Kodakara-yu (子宝湯) is filled with hot water and the bathroom is illuminated. Bathing is not available.
- Building-pattern cut-paper display: Silhouettes of various patterns appear in the windows of the Tokiwadai Photo Studio (常盤台写真場).
- Candle Night: Candlelight is used to draw the restored buildings and other designs in the entrance plaza and the East Plaza.
- Bamboo lantern path: Bamboo lanterns carved with traditional Japanese patterns and seasonal designs line the path.
- Shadow-play challenge: Visitors can make shadow pictures in the light shining on the south wall of the inn (万徳旅館).
- Building-pattern cut-paper workshop: Participants cut out patterns found on the museum's buildings and use them to make an andon lantern. Sign language interpretation is provided. Held on November 7 only, with limited capacity.
- Food trucks: Food trucks serve warm drinks and light meals.
De Lalande Residence (デ・ラランデ邸)
Candle Night
Building-pattern cut-paper display
Bamboo lanterns
Gas lamp in the tailor shop (仕立屋)
Experiencing old-fashioned lighting
Online Tickets
Visitors are encouraged to buy online tickets (advance reservations for a specified date) for the event. For details on advance reservations, please check the official website. Visitors may have to wait to enter when the museum is crowded.
The hours around sunset are expected to be especially busy, so it is a good idea to arrive early.
