A journey into Japan’s Olympic past
Interact with Japan’s Olympic history at a museum next door to the actual Olympic stadium.
A barrier-free museum with interactive Games, rich history, perfect for a rainy day or a hot summer day in Tokyo.
The Olympic Museum Tokyo opened 14th September 2019. The museum is host to a wide range of exhibits ranging from multimedia galleries, interactive athletic simulators and historical memorabilia. Mainly Japanese olympic history but also has some exhibits dedicated to global olympic history. The museum has 2 floors dedicated to the history of the Olympics. The first floor consists of an Olympic study centre, museum shop and cafe as well as an exhibition place for rotating exhibits. The second floor consists of an olympic theatre, interactive simulators, historical and torch displays as well and a dedicated display showcasing the history of Japan’s involvement in the Olympics. There is also an outdoors garden section with bronze statues and large models of the Olympic rings and torches.
What's the most interesting thing at the Tokyo Olympic Museum?
For us we think the most interesting exhibit at the Tokyo Olympic Museum would have to be the ‘World and the Olympics’ exhibit. In this exhibit you learn about the history of the Olympics spanning back to the very first one up until the rebranding of the ‘modern olympics’ and all the creators of the games and their backgrounds. Within this section you also see a screened display showing all the olympic torches that were used and the years that they were used in.
Another display shown in this section chart of all the countries that took part in the games and as the years go on you see from the chart the more countries that end up participating at the games. This is impressive because not only does it show part of the Olympic history regarding Japan but also dives into other countries and gives visitors a real sense of how the games have become this global event that almost every athlete from every country wants to be a part of.
On a sunny day, we enjoy the outdoor garden of the Olympic Museum. This can be visited for free, and the Olympic rings and scaled-down replica torches from the games hosted in Japan.
What Interactive displays are on show at the Olympic Museum?
When it comes to interactive displays and hands-on exhibits, the museum offers a wide range. These exhibits invite visitors to test their abilities and compare them with some of their favorite athletes that have competed at the Olympics. They also serve to help inspire children and adults to try various sports and keep fit and healthy.
A dedicated area only for motion-capture Olympic game simulations. Which include digital screens where you can test your jumping reach ability and compare them to those who competed within the Olympics in sports like Basketball and long jump.
In the motion-capture area, you can also test your speed and compare it to top Olympic racers over a short distance. Hands-on exhibits that visitors can try include the chance to pick up various equipment that different athletes use. For example, visitors can hold Olympic-grade shot put balls to get a sense of the quality and standards of equipment and athleticism required in lesser known sports.
In addition, the museum hosts a theatre display that showcases montage videos from the Olympics through history with some of the top moments throughout the years.
All these interactive exhibits, especially the motion capture exhibits, are good for younger children who may have excess energy or feel bored by other Japanese cultural activities.
Who would enjoy the Tokyo Olympic museum the most?
We believe that the museum will be best enjoyed by families with older kids or teenagers who are already into sports or looking at trying their hand in a variety of sports. This mainly comes down to the motion-capture and interactive areas. As this allows them to already to test their skills against olympians in a fun and enjoyable way.
General sports or Olympic enthusiasts would also enjoy this museum as it is filled with history and no matter what sport you are interested in.
With the museum being just across the road from the national olympic stadium, which offers tours of the very stadium that held the 2020 Tokyo olympic games, it would be a great opportunity to combine the 2 locations for an interesting and busy day out.
What language support does the Olympic Museum have?
The museum does indeed have multiple language support. The museum can provide multilingual audio in the 5 core languages of Japanese, English, French, Chinese, and Korean. Most displays within the museum not only have its labels in Japanese but also in English. This includes the wall of history, text panels and memorabilia descriptions.
Furthermore, the interactive exhibits and motion-capture stations also have English translation. This translates over to traditional pamphlets on top. With the audio tours this is very good for those visitors who are visually impaired. Allowing them to enjoy the displays and exhibits.
What restrooms, facilities, and other support does the museum provide for its customers?
The Tokyo Olympic Museum has accessible facilities for visitors. When it comes to navigating the building, the museum has an elevator between the two floors for wheelchair access as well as all exhibits that are step-free exhibitions. Most of the exhibits are viewable if a guest is using a seated wheelchair. There are some exhibits that will be above eye height or may be in glass containers that are on a pedestal. The layout of the museum is also fairly open and allows plenty of room to move around in a wheelchair, even on busy days.
In terms of facilities, fully accessible and modern barrier free multipurpose restrooms are on premise.
The Tokyo Olympic museum is bilingual in Japanese and English and offers an audio guide available on your smartphone. The interactive exhibits are touch-screen, but the museum has a specific barrier-free route through the museum that offers tactile experiences.
Service animals are also allowed into the museum.
Does the museum have food and drinking areas?
The Japan Olympic Museum has a café area on the first floor where food and drinks are available. Drinking and eating are only allowed within this area of the museum. The cafe provides a wide range of options and these consist of a range of hot drinks like teas and coffees as well as soft drinks and juices. Light bites and sweets are also on the menu like french fried and choco banana rolls. For hot days they also offer soft served ice cream on the menu. At all affordable prices this is definitely a good spot to grab a quick drink and a light snack while at the museum.
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FAQs
When are the opening hours?
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (final entry at 4:30 p.m.).
Closures: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), year-end and New Year holidays.
What are the ticket prices to go to the Tokyo Olympic Museum?
Adults (General): 500 yen
Seniors (65 and older): 400 yen
High school students and younger: Free
Disability certificate holders + 1 caregiver: Free
Can I take photographs of the Tokyo Olympic Museum?
Yes. Photography is generally permitted, but flash photography, tripods, close-up photography of materials is not permitted.
Does the museum offer guided tours?
The museum does not normally provide standard guided tours, but it offers free audio-guide services on visitors' smartphones and occasionally holds guide tours with Olympians.