Tokyo's Fire Museum (official name: Tokyo Fire Department Firefighting and Disaster Prevention Reference Center), located in Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, is a lesser-known tourist spot in Tokyo that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
The outdoor helicopter ride and the opportunity to learn about the history of firefighting since the Edo period make this a highly satisfying facility for families, scoring a perfect 5 star review by many on Google maps.
The museum is directly connected to the station, making it easy to get to, and since admission is free, there is no need to purchase a ticket, which is another reason for its popularity.
In this article, we will write about the Fire Museum, including highlights, admission fees, and how to access the museum.
Highlights of the Fire Museum
Located in the busy district of Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, the Fire Museum is a whopping 7-floor museum that covers the history of Tokyo's fire department and its knowledge about fire and disaster prevention.
Children who love fire trucks will 100% be excited about this spot, but you don't necessarily have to be a child to enjoy the many powerful exhibits.
Inside the museum, you can see fire trucks that were actually used in the past. There is also a firefighting helicopter exhibited outdoors, which you can take a look of its insides. These exhibits of rarely seen vehicles should get anyone excited.
If you get tired of looking at the exhibits, there is a lounge on the 10th floor where you can bring your own lunch and take a relaxing break with your family or friends, so bring your own lunch and drinks and enjoy a picnic.
Below is a summary of the exhibits on each floor. You can see that there is a lot to see.
＜Fire Museum - Floor Details＞
| Overview | Notes | |
| Basement Floor | Fire Trucks throughout the years & museum Shop | Fire engines active from the Taisho Era (1912-1926) to the Heisei Era (1989-2019) are on display. There is also a museum store where you can buy souvenirs! |
| 1st floor | Museum entrance | The entrance provides a rest area and a small theater. |
| 3rd floor | Modern firefighting | This is an area where visitors can experience modern firefighting through a show. Visitors can also wear firefighting uniforms! You can also ride inside firetrucks and firefighting helicopters here, which is one of the main attractions for children. |
| 4th floor | Firefighting throughout the years | An area where visitors can learn about the transformation of firefighting equipment from Meiji (1868-1912) to Taisho (1912-1926) to Showa era (1926-1989) through exhibits. |
| 5th floor | Dawn of firefighting | Learn about the history of firefighting during the Edo period (1603-1868) |
| 6th floor | Special Exhibition Room | You can ride the helicopter exhibited outside! *Closed during bad weather |
| 10th floor | Disaster Prevention Lounge | A rest area with a great view overlooking Tokyo. Eating and drinking are allowed, so you can bring your own food and have lunch together. On a clear day, you can even see Mt Fuji! |
How to get to the Fire Museum
Access to the Fire Museum is very convenient, as it is directly connected to Yotsuya-Sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.
Very convenient for family travelers, and/or for those who carry a lot of luggage.
| Details | |
| Access | Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Yotsuya-Sanchome station Direct access from Exit 2, so no need for an umbrella even on rainy days. |
| Parking lot | None |
| Admission | Free |
| Hours of operation | 9:30 am-5:00 pm (last admission: 4:30 pm) |
| Closed | Mondays & December 31st through January 3 *If Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be open on Monday and closed the following day. |
| Address | 3-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo |
| Other | Baby stroller parking available Nursing space available |
The Fire Museum is a wonderful free admission facility enjoyable by children and adults alike!
As seen above, the Fire Museum in Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, is a recommended tourist spot that is free of admission.
Although it is free, each floor provides a plethora of exhibits, so if you pay careful attention, you can easily spend the whole day here. It's especially recommended for rainy days where you don't know where to go.
Children and adults who want to learn about disasters and disaster prevention should take the time to visit the museum, as they can learn about the history of firefighting in Japan's past, including the Edo period (1603-1868), as well as the latest tech used in modern disaster prevention and disaster evaluation.
Not to mention the exhibits of actual fire trucks and fire helicopters, of which most of them are free to interact with. This itself should make small children absolutely ecstatic.
The store on the basement floor sells original towels, hats, helicopter toys, and many other items that cannot be purchased anywhere else, such as original Hello Kitty goods dressed as a firefighter and Tomica firefighting helicopters.
If you are unsure of where to go sightseeing in Tokyo, the Fire Museum is definitely worth considering.
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