Minato City Local History Museum

The Minato City Local History Museum is a newly opened resource for everyone to learn about Minato City. By discovering its history, exploring our past and communicating together we can find out more about what makes it special. This building, including the museum, was originally built as The Institute of Public Health by architect Uchida Yoshikazu in 1938. It was renovated to preserve its original architectural style but with added seismic reinforcements. It also includes disability- friendly access features so that everyone can use it comfortably. We hope that you can enjoy new experiences and gain illuminating knowledge while appreciating the historic architecture and exhibitions.

Access and Guidance

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Access

1 minute walk from Exit 2 of Shirokanedai Station on the Namboku line(Tokyo Metro) or Mita line(Toei Transportation)

1 minute walk from the Shirokanedai Ekimae bus stop of Toei Bus

*Parking is not available at the museum. Please use public transportation.

Open

9 am-5 pm on Mon-Fri, Sun, and national holidays, 9 am-8 pm on Sat

*The ticket booth is open daily from 9 am-4:30 pm and until 7:30 pm on Saturdays.

Closed

The third Thursday of every month (closed on the previous day when Thursday is a national holiday)
Dec 29 to Jan 3
During maintenance period

Admission fees to the permanent exhibitions

Adults		Elementary, junior high and high school students
Individual	Group	Individual	Group
300yen	240yen	100yen	80yen

*Group discount is available for groups of 10 visitors or more.
*Free admission: Students (6-18 years), Seniors ( 65 years and above), and visitors with disabilities (+1 caregiver) who reside Minato City. Presentation of ID is required.
*Admission fees to the special exhibition are charged separately.　

Free Museum Days for Minato citizens:　Feb 11, May 5, Aug 11 and Nov 3.

*Presentation of ID is required.

Contact

Minato City Local History Museum

4-6-2, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071

Phone：03-6450-2107: Fax：03-6450-2137

Permanent Exhibition

Permanent Exhibition Room

Theme 1: Dynamism of the Ocean and People

This exhibit is about the history of Minato City as it relates to Tokyo Bay through three themes: environment, shell mounds, and fisheries.

Theme 2: Spread of the Urban City and Culture

This exhibit looks at the state of the Minato City area, which was located in the south of the premodern city of Edo, through three themes: the city's development; samurai residences, temples and shrines, and the townspeople; and the people related to these developments.

Theme 3: People's Movement and Their Lives

This exhibit is about the modern history of Minato City, where many people have continued to live in and commute through, through five themes: internationalization; education; transportation and traffic; occupations and industries; and disasters.

Guidance Room

We introduce the situation and everyday lives in five districts of Minato City, from the primitive and ancient ages to modern times, through digital displays.

Communication Room

We offer hands-on displays here. Everyone can learn about the nature, history, and culture of Minato City. You can handle genuine artefacts such as ancient pottery from the Jomon age, or skeletal specimens of animals including a whale. You can also take a quiz by listening to the sounds of nature in Minato City.

Building

This building, designed by Uchida Yoshikazu, Professor, Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo, was constructed in1938 as the Institute of Public Health. The architectural structure is steel-reinforced concrete, and the exterior was finished using scratch tiles. Its characteristic design is called "Uchida Gothic", which can also be found at the adjoining Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo.

You can see various original design elements that have been retained inside the building, such as the former auditorium, classrooms and laboratories, as well as detailed creative elements. This renovated historic building, which includes the Minato City Local History Museum, hosts a variety of services as a community facility.

Former Auditorium

This auditorium features terraced seating. Most of the parts have remained exactly as they were when they first opened. The lighting equipment as well as reliefs on the sides of the podium are characteristic.

Former President's Room / Former Vice-President's Room

You can see the high level of the craftsmen's skills from those days in these rooms. In particular, the walls and ceiling are finished using luxurious veneers, and the floor features exquisite parquet in the President's Room.

Second Floor Central Hall

The design, with its open ceiling and symmetrical stone staircases, are characteristic of this hall.