Edo is the old name of Tokyo and many traditional crafts are named Edo crafts. Traditional arts and crafts have been refined and polished over centuries in Japan. Some master craftsmen come from families that have produced generations of master craftsmen before them. The products that they make are both beautiful and functional - and make very special souvenirs.

The Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center is a small museum in Asakusa where you can see a selection of traditional crafts. The center has been renovated and is now open again. Admission is free. You can see different kinds of items such as tools, knives, brushes, or cooking utensils and chopsticks, traditional Japanese furniture, and items used in traditional Japanese clothing.

See master craftsmen at work at the Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center

Professionals demonstrating their crafts are working at the center every week on Saturdays and Sundays and some national holidays. You can watch them work from up close, see what kind of tools they use, and how things are made.

Master craftsmanship schedule for May 2019:

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 & Thursday May 2, 2019 11:00-17:00 - Jiro Nagao, woodblock prints (Edo Moku-hanga)
Friday, May 3, 2019 & Monday, May 6, 2019 11:00-17:00 - Haruo Katayama, traditional chest of drawers made of paulownia wood (Tokyo kiri tansu)
Saturday May 11, 2019 & Sunday, May 12, 2019 11:00-17:00 - Tamotsu Hoshino, copperware (Doki)
Saturday, May 18, 2019 & Sunday, May 19, 2019 11:00-17:00 - Tomoo Sakai, hand-carved signboards (Kanban Chokoku)
Saturday, May 25, 2019 & Sunday, May 26, 2019 11:00-17:00 - Atsunori Tanaka, tortoiseshell products such as traditional hairpins (Edo Bekko)

Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center

Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (closed every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month and the day following a national holiday)

Admission: free

Address: 2-22-13 Asakusa, Taito-ku, 111-0032 Tokyo (The Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center is located in the Hisago-dori Shotengai Street)

Access: 5 minute walk from the Tsukuba Express Line Asakusa Station, 15 minute walk from the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Toei Subway Line Asakusa Stations, 2 minute walk from the Oku-Asakusa bus stop.

Find the Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center online:

https://craft.city.taito.lg.jp/en

Facebook @edonotakumi

Instagram @taito_masterpieces_of_tokyo