Exploring the National Film Archive Museum of Japan in Kyobashi

During my son’s elementary school preparation class, I found myself wandering around Kyobashi and stumbled upon the National Film Archive Museum of Japan.
As someone who has always been interested in films, I couldn’t resist checking it out.
It turned out to be a quiet and fascinating place, offering much more than just a standard museum visit.

Multiple Floors with Unique Experiences
The museum spans several floors, each offering a different perspective on Japanese cinema:
・Second Floor: A small cinema with select screenings of classic and contemporary films.

・Fourth Floor: A library filled with books, magazines, and research materials related to filmmaking.

・Seventh Floor: The main gallery, showcasing the museum’s core exhibits.

The seventh floor immediately impressed me with its calm atmosphere, especially for a Sunday.
The entrance fee is only 500 yen, a very reasonable price for the wealth of exhibits inside.

Permanent Collection: A Journey Through Japanese Film History
The museum’s permanent collection provides a chronological look at the evolution of Japanese cinema.
Artifacts include cameras, projectors, and other filmmaking equipment, each with detailed explanations of their historical significance.

I was particularly fascinated by the Utsushi-e magic lantern show, an early form of projection.
Translucent hand-drawn slides are placed in a box with a lantern to create moving images.
This technique predates modern cinema and shows how visual storytelling began in Japan.

The collection also highlights some of Japan’s earliest directors and their pioneering work, providing visitors with a clear understanding of how the industry developed.

Special Exhibition: Morita Yoshimitsu
At the time of my visit, there was a special exhibition dedicated to the late director Morita Yoshimitsu.
One of the most engaging parts of this exhibition was the study room installation.

What I found fascinating about the installation were the notebooks of movie ideas from his childhood.
They were placed on a desk and you could leaf through these at your pleasure.

Some of the notebooks were illustrated with imaginative drawings of sci-fi creatures, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early development of his creative mind.

Final Thoughts
If you’re in Kyobashi, I highly recommend visiting the National Film Archive Museum of Japan.
It provides a unique glimpse into the history of Japanese filmmaking, combining artifacts, exhibitions, and a quiet, welcoming atmosphere.
It’s a rewarding visit that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for Japanese cinema and its pioneers.

お茶の水校
Mark

【日本人スタッフによる要約】
今回のブログでは、御茶ノ水にある国立映画アーカイブ美術館をご紹介しました。ここは、映画の歴史を感じながら静かに過ごせる隠れた名スポットです。
古い映写機やカメラ、監督の創作ノートなど、貴重な展示が多数あり、日本映画の発展を知ることができます。
日本語・英語の解説も充実しているので、外国の方にもおすすめです。
御茶ノ水駅からのアクセスも良く、家族でのお出かけや映画好きの方の観光にもぴったりの美術館です。