The National Showa Memorial Museum in Kudanshita, or Showa-kan for short, commemorates daily life in Japan during and after the Second World War. Pair with a visit to Yushukan in Yasukuni Shrine for contrasting views of nationalist policies during the war.
National Showa Memorial Museum - image © Florentyna Leow
The National Showa Memorial Museum, or Showa-kan for short, is a museum commemorating regular life in Japan during and after the Second World War. It’s located at the north side of Kitanomaru-koen Park and a short walk from Yasukuni-jinja Shrine.
National Showa Memorial Museum - image © Florentyna Leow
While the collection is small, it’s interesting and a good counterpoint to the Yushukan Museum at Yasukuni Shrine, as it shows the effect of Japan's nationalist policies on the lives of ordinary Japanese citizens. The books, advertisements, and posters on display also give you an insight into Japanese art and design during that period.
National Showa Memorial Museum - image © Florentyna Leow
Entry to the museum typically costs JPY300. However, they sometimes run free exhibitions. English-language information for these special exhibitions is typically nonexistent, but it’s interesting looking at the objects on display.
English name:
National Showa Memorial Museum
Japanese name:
昭和館
English address:
1-6-1 Kudan-minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0074
Japanese address:
〒102-0074 東京都千代田区九段南1-6-1
Opening hours:
10am-5:30pm (last entry 5pm)
Closed Monday or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday
Admission:
Adults: 300
65 years old and over: 270
College and high school students: 150
Junior high and elementary school students: free
Nearest Transport:
Subway: In front of exit 4 of Kudanshita Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Tozai lines, and Toei Shinjuku line.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near National Showa Memorial Museum on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-3-3222-2577
Website:
Official Website (English PDF)
Near To Here:
National Showa Memorial Museum is located in Tokyo's Imperial Palace district. See our complete list of things to do in Tokyo's Imperial Palace district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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