Intermediateque

Intermediateque is a small but wonderful museum located on floors 2 and 3 of the Kitte Building, directly next to Tokyo Station (Marunouchi side). It’s the perfect place to spend an hour or two while waiting for a train (or a seat in a nearby restaurant).

While the name of the museum and the explanatory materials give them impression that Intermediateque is some kind of exploration of media or experiment in postmodern display theory, it’s really just a fine little natural history and science museum. So, forget the academic jargon and tortured postmodern explanations and just stroll around savoring the fascinating objects on display.

The museum is a collaboration between Tokyo University and Japan Post, and the items on display are sourced from the university’s extensive and amazing collection. Tokyo University opened in 1877, at the start of the Meiji Restoration and Japan’s reopening to the world. The museum has the feeling of a study in the home of a very wealthy and very curious intellectual of the late 19th century. Indeed, the museum captures the astonishing thirst for knowledge on the part of Japanese intellectuals, scientist and explorers finally freed from the long period of national seclusion.

Among the many things on display, you’ll find dinosaur bones, machines of obvious and unknown purpose, gems, shells, feathers and industrial objects that played a role in Japan’s blindingly fast modernization in the Meiji Period.

There are also various temporary and special exhibits and, best of all, it’s free. Just so you know: I walked by this place several times before succumbing to curiosity and going inside to check it out. All I can say is, don’t make the same mistake I did. Go right in next time you’re at or near Tokyo Station.

English name:
Intermediatheque

Japanese name:
インターメディアテク

English address:
2-3F KITTE, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-7003

Japanese address:
〒100-7003 東京都千代田区丸の内2-7-2 KITTE 2・3階

Opening hours:
Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday 11:00am-6:00pm
Friday and Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm
Closed Monday (or the following Tuesday when Monday is a holiday)

Admission:
Free

Nearest Transport:
1-minute walk from Tokyo Station (Marunouchi South Exit)

Telephone:
+81-47-316-2772

Website:
Official Website

:: Read reviews of Intermediatheque on TripAdvisor.com

Near To Here:
Intermediateque is located in Tokyo's Tokyo Station and Marunouchi district. See our complete list of things to do in Tokyo Station and Marunouchi, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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