Journey Through Time: Explore Tokyo’s Museum of Lost Innovations

Situated 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Featuring Betacam videotapes, floppy disks, and retro Sony gadgets, the museum presents a collection of outdated cameras and telecommunications devices, distinguished by a 1916 Japanese-manufactured “Lily” still camera, its most historical artifact.

Within the three-room museum’s densely packed shelves, patrons like 59-year-old Mika Matsuda can travel back to the past, reminiscing about the tools that used to be commonplace.

“It’s captivating not only for those unfamiliar with these objects but also for individuals who experienced those eras,” Matsuda expressed on Saturday.

“Encountering these artifacts feels like a revival of our previous lives. It reminds me of how things were back in the day — I had so much joy,” she shared.

Launched in January 2023, the museum was established on the premise that all media tools, except for those made of paper and stone, will ultimately “fade away,” as articulated by deputy curator Barbara Asuka.

The predominantly donated pieces are arranged for visitors to interact with them, promoting a fully immersive sensory experience, she noted.

“There’s a wealth of knowledge that comes from holding these items, including their scent,” Asuka remarked.

“We aim for visitors to engage with these items using all five senses, rather than merely observing them through glass,” Asuka explained.

The museum routinely welcomes contributions from visitors like Hisashi Ito, who on Saturday donated a small portable watch and cassette tapes from his own collection.

“Even if I keep these relics at home, they’ll likely be discarded when I pass away,” said the 56-year-old automotive designer.

“It’s preferable to share them and allow others to enjoy them.”

The operating hours of the Extinct Media Museum vary, as stated on its website.

Admission costs roughly 2,000 yen ($12.70).

Tickets for donors and students are priced at 1,000 yen.

($1 = 157.6900 yen)