About
In a corner of Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa Ward, just a step away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there is a space that shines a new light on “containers”—an element often overlooked in everyday life. This place is a museum dedicated to exploring the history and culture of packaging containers, which are closely connected to our daily lives.
Upon entering the museum, the first thing that catches your eye is the exhibition space where colorful containers are neatly lined up. Arranged in a way that allows you to see at a glance how people have devised containers and enriched their lives from ancient times to the present, the exhibits showcase the transitions through the ages. For example, you can sense the characteristics of each era, from Jomon period earthenware, to Edo period lacquerware, and modern plastic products.
Among the exhibits are bamboo lunch boxes that were once widely used among ordinary people, as well as aluminum lunch boxes that appeared during the period of rapid economic growth after the war, each introduced along with the background of its era. Through these displays, it becomes clear that containers are not just objects for holding things, but also symbols of culture and the times.
Additionally, the museum features interactive corners where visitors can actually learn about the manufacturing process of containers or experience recycling mechanisms through games. Particularly popular among children are the craft activities using plastic bottles and quiz corners where they guess the materials of containers. Through these activities, visitors can enjoyably learn about environmental issues and the importance of resources.
Furthermore, regularly held special exhibitions introduce the latest in package design and the unique container cultures of countries around the world, offering new discoveries with every visit. For example, in early 2025, the “Something’s Different: Package Design That Connects Feelings” exhibition was held, delving deeply into the communicative power of packaging and the role of design.
This museum is not just a place to display objects; it serves as a venue for sharing culture, history, and thoughts for the future through the presence of containers that blend into our daily lives. Visitors will find that their perspective on the containers they casually pick up every day changes through their experiences here, adding new color to their everyday lives.