🗺️ Edo Ward Nakagawa Ship Station Museum

The main exhibit at the Nakagawa Funabansho Museum in Edogawa is a three-dimensional perspective model of the Nakagawa Funabansho. This model is based on materials from the 1800s, specifically the mid to late Edo period. At that time, there were 53 important port checkpoints across Japan, and Nakagawa Funabansho was one of them. Nakagawa Funabansho was the last checkpoint for riverboats entering Edo Castle, responsible for inspecting vessels, luggage, and people entering the city. It was set up at the confluence of major rivers, akin to a water traffic monitoring station at a modern highway interchange. The walls of the exhibition room depict the old scenery of the Nakagawa Funabansho area, surrounded by river waters, and use sound and lighting to illustrate the passage of time from morning to night over approximately seven minutes. The clear and pleasant sounds of birds chirping and oars stirring the river create an immersive experience. The third floor features a viewing room that offers a panoramic view of the riverside scenery outside. Through the displayed three-dimensional perspective model and the landscapes of the time, visitors can feel the close connection between the past and the present. On the second floor, the local history room includes an exhibition area that showcases daily life during the Showa era, specifically from 1955 to 1974. This exhibition area is said to be very appealing to those with a sense of nostalgia for the Showa period. The museum provides free English-language guidebooks for overseas visitors. Additionally, by scanning a QR code with their own smartphones, visitors can listen to audio guides. On weekends, it is also possible to make advance reservations for staff members who speak English.

The most exciting highlight is the three-dimensional perspective model of Nakagawa Bansho, one of the checkpoints from the Edo period. The exhibition hall's walls depict the old scenery of the area surrounding Nakagawa Bansho, and sound and lighting recreate the passage of time. Various historical materials related to Nakagawa Bansho are displayed. There is also a section dedicated to the Showa era, where visitors can learn about the daily lives of the Japanese people from 1955 to 1974.