About
There is a building nestled in the tranquil streetscape of Shirokanedai, imbued with the breath of history and culture. Completed in 1938, the former Public Health Institute features a Gothic-style design by Yoshizo Uchida, a professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo, and is characterized by its exterior walls covered in scratch tiles. Over time, this building has been reborn as the Minato City Local History Museum, inviting visitors to a crossroads of past and present.
Stepping into the central entrance hall, you are greeted by a spacious ceiling adorned with ornate reliefs, and the floors and walls are lavishly decorated with high-quality stone materials. This space conveys the dignity of the former Public Health Institute era to the present day, welcoming all who enter.
Inside the museum, permanent exhibitions unravel the history of Minato City. “The Dynamism of the Sea and People” introduces the district’s deep connection with Tokyo Bay through shell mounds and inner bay fisheries. “The Expansion of City and Culture” depicts the townscape and daily life of the Edo period through urban development, samurai residences, temple and shrine lands, and merchant quarters. “Migration and Life” chronicles the modern and contemporary history of Minato City through themes such as internationalization, education, transportation, livelihoods and industry, disasters, and war.
Notably, the cross-section of the Isarago Shell Mound is on display. This exhibit, spanning 15 meters in width, is a valuable resource offering a glimpse into the lives of people in the Jomon period. In the guidance room, projection mapping is used to introduce 30,000 years of Minato City’s history in about four minutes, taking visitors on a journey through time and space.
In the communication room on the second floor, visitors can touch authentic materials such as Jomon pottery and whale skeleton specimens. This space, where learning and play are fused, allows both children and adults to experience history with all five senses.
Furthermore, the building itself offers many highlights, such as the former director’s office and the former auditorium. The former director’s office features an abundance of veneer, which was a luxury material at the time, used for the walls, and the floor is decorated with parquetry. The former auditorium retains much of its original appearance, with 340 tiered desks and chairs, a clock, and lighting fixtures, all preserving the retro atmosphere of the early Showa period.
The museum also houses a café and a museum shop, allowing visitors to spend elegant moments within the historic building. The café serves lunch boxes and soups made with plenty of fresh vegetables delivered from partner farms, and guests can enjoy a relaxing time in an interior warmed by wood accents.
The Minato City Local History Museum is a place where past and present intersect, offering visitors new discoveries and inspiration. Why not embark on a journey to rediscover the charm of Minato City while feeling the breath of history?