“Journey Through Time: A Tokyo Museum’s Nostalgic Dive into Obsolete Gadgets”

SITUATED in a secluded area of central Tokyo, the Extinct Media Museum truly embodies its title.

Featuring Betacam videotapes, floppy disks, and classic Sony gadgets, the museum presents an extensive collection of historical cameras and telecommunications devices, including a 1916 Japanese-manufactured “Lily” still camera, which is its oldest artifact.

Within the museum’s three-room layout, visitors like 59-year-old Mika Matsuda can journey back in time to the devices that were once commonplace.

“It’s captivating not just for those who are unfamiliar with these devices, but also for individuals who experienced those eras,” Matsuda noted on Saturday (Jan 11).

“Interacting with these items gives me a nostalgic recollection of our lives. It brought back memories of how it used to be – I had such a great time,” she stated.

Established in January 2023, the museum was created on the premise that all forms of media equipment, aside from paper and stone, will eventually “fade away,” as explained by deputy curator Barbara Asuka.

The majority of the displayed items are donated, allowing visitors to engage with them, promoting a complete sensory experience, she mentioned.

“You can acquire a lot of insights by handling them, including their scent,” Asuka elaborated. “Our goal is for guests to engage with these objects using all five senses, rather than merely observing them behind glass.”

The museum frequently welcomes contributions from attendees, such as Hisashi Ito, who donated a small handheld watch and cassette tapes from his collection on Saturday.

“Even if I keep these devices at home, they will likely be discarded after my passing. It’s more worthwhile to share them and allow others to appreciate them,” remarked the 56-year-old automotive designer.

The hours of the Extinct Media Museum vary, with general admission pricing around 2,000 yen (S$17.40). Entry for contributors and students costs 1,000 yen. REUTERS