Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo

Overview

"A Marunouchi Landmark and Cultural Hub: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo"

Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo is housed in a faithful reconstruction of the Mitsubishi Ichigokan, originally designed by the British architect Josiah Conder and completed in 1894. The original building—Marunouchi’s first office building—was dismantled in 1968 due to deterioration. Based on original Meiji-era drawings, photographs taken at the time of its demolition, and survey records, the building was reconstructed and reopened as a museum in 2010.

The museum presents three special exhibitions each year, focusing mainly on modern art from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century—the period when the original Mitsubishi Ichigokan was built. Located in one of Japan’s leading business districts, the museum also serves as a cultural hub for the Marunouchi area.

The museum complex includes a classic-style café and bar, a museum shop, and a gallery space introducing the history of Marunouchi. At the entrance, an English-style courtyard garden features around forty varieties of roses—including Old Roses dating back to around 1894—creating a seasonal highlight that adds to the charm of the museum.