Explore for a day: Shakujiikoen and Furusato Museum

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NERIMA WARD, Japan --  Nerima City's Shakujiikoen is one of the largest parks in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Famous for its beautiful scenery and relaxing walkway, the park is used as a getaway from bustling city life for locals and visitors alike.

Across its tranquil ponds and through the lush forest is a building whose modern architecture may seem out of place and yet blends in perfectly with the landscape around: the Nerima City Shakujiikoen Furusato Museum.

Built in 2010, this museum serves as the local's center of recreation, education and discovery, focusing on the history of Japanese households from as early as the Stone Age up to the 1970's.

The main exhibitions, which are held on the second floor, showcase wide arrays of objects from the past - from simple stone crafts to intricate automobiles and broadcasting equipment.
One of the most notable exhibitions of the museum is a reconstructed 1960's era house, a town and an old folk home from the late 1800's.

The exhibitions send the visitors back to the past with their detailed layouts.

Visitors initially encounter the town starting with a bright red payphone. Its colors have faded over time but it seems as if it could ring at any minute.

Located directly behind the payphone is a small tobacco shop. Its show-window displays a wide variety of cigarettes from the old days. A shopper points at the cigarette of his choice. The shopkeeper opens the small window, exchanging the pack with money.

An old ramen shop displays its menu, enticing pedestrians with the scent of what could be their lunch. A three-wheeled truck pulls up to the front of the shop and parks, delivering cooking supplies. Past the large portrait photo of the old Shakujii train station is the police station, keeping the busy streets safe.

The time travel continues to a standard 1960's home.

Within its bamboo fences, the house is a perfect example of a normal Japanese household. The small living room has a tea table for the family meal and is decorated with black and white TV and other old electronics. The narrow study room has a desk belonging to an elementary student; its drawers are filled with scholastic items and toys. The kitchen contains all the utensils necessary to cook delicious meals on the spot.

The old folk home, built in the Meiji era, still stands to this day behind the museum. With its doors wide open to any visitors, it tells unfamiliar guests the history and daily lives of the Japanese within its wood walls.

Once the exhibition of the museum is over, the next set of adventure awaits.

The Shakujiikoen is a popular landmark. It is encircled in trees with two large ponds on each side of the park. Many locals use the park as their relaxation area, where they can be found strolling down the beautiful walkway by the ponds, fishing and bird watching. For couples out on a romantic date, the park has a boat rental area for rowboats and duck paddle boats.

The town of Shakujii can be easily accessed via the JR Chuo Line to the Ogikubo Station and them taking the local bus just outside the station.

The Furusato Museum is free and open every day except Monday.