“Step Back in Time: Explore Vintage Tech at Tokyo’s Nostalgic Museum”

TOKYO – Hidden in a nook of central Tokyo, the Extinct Media Museum truly embodies its title.

Featuring Betacam videotapes, floppy disks, and retro Sony gadgets, the museum serves as a showcase for outdated cameras and telecommunications apparatus, such as a 1916 Japanese-manufactured “Lily” still camera, which is its oldest display.

Amidst the cluttered shelves of the three-room museum, patrons like 59-year-old Mika Matsuda can journey back in time to the devices that were once staples in daily life.

“It’s captivating, not just for those unfamiliar with these items but also for those who have experienced those eras,” Matsuda remarked on Saturday.

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“Encountering these articles feels reminiscent of our own past. It brings back memories of how things used to be — I had so much joy,” she expressed.

Established in January 2023, the museum was initiated under the premise that all media devices, with the exception of paper and stone, will ultimately “fade away”, as explained by deputy curator Barbara Asuka.

The majority of the items, which are mainly donations, are arranged in a manner that allows visitors to handle them, promoting a comprehensive sensory experience, she noted.

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“There’s a wealth of insights to gain by handling them, including the scent,” Asuka mentioned.

“Our goal is for visitors to engage with these items using all five senses, not only perusing the exhibits behind glass,” Asuka stated.

The museum frequently welcomes contributions from visitors like Hisashi Ito, who donated a small handheld watch and cassette tapes from his personal collection on Saturday.

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“Even if I keep these devices at home, they’ll likely be discarded when I pass away. It’s more beneficial to share them and allow others to enjoy them,” remarked the 56-year-old automobile designer.

The hours of the Extinct Media Museum fluctuate, as stated on its website, with general entry set at approximately 2,000 yen ($12.70). Tickets for contributors and students are priced at 1,000 yen.