I came across a suggestion that the Edo Open Air Architectural Museum was a worthwhile tourist destination. In retrospect, I would say it was “5/10” and better enjoyed if you can enjoy the park around the museum. It is a beautiful park.

The museum is filled with buildings from around around Japan, primarily from this century. A couple impressions; the houses have always been small and the doorways low. What Japan considers a big house is definitely different than North America. This is probably due to the fact that roughly 20% of Japan is habitable with the population crammed into 8% of the island’s landmass.

A few (non-HDR) photos. Prior to entering we grabbed lunch at the little restaurant in the park. This is Japanese “fast-food”, it was fantastic. I love Japan’s food.

The museum entrance.

It is December, and flowers are still blooming. No snow (smile).

The had moved the studio of a photographer. Outside were a number of his family portraits. This one caught my eye.

An old bus in Japan, looks like an old bus from everywhere else.

This opulent home was donated by the super wealthy Mitsui family, built in 1897. I would guess it at under 2,000 square feet.

I don’t think that I could sleep in this guest bed.

A farm house had an operating oven where they were making rice cakes. The interesting thing was that this particular house did not seem to have a ventilation system. I looked at the other old farmhouses and they had a chimney or open top to let out the smoke – it was very smoky as a roof that think isn’t letting the smoke out.

The Japanese stored their wheat off the ground to keep it dry and keep pests out. Smart.

I happened by 5 photographers with their tripods set up. They were shooting this tree.

The fall colors were in full bloom.

They also have a “street” set up with shops, and of course, a subway car.

They also moved a 1929 era public bathhouse.

I could not believe it, a cosmo in late November.

And of course, a shrine. Jisho-in Mausoleum (Otama-ya) was constructed for princess Chiyo, wife of the Owari lord Tokugawa, to hold a service for her mother Ofuri-no-kata, wife of the third shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa (1652).

One thing I will hand to the museum, they have done a fantastic job of providing an English hand-out so that you can actually learn as you walk (which is missing in many places in Japan).

A good afternoon walk.