Edo-Tokyo Open-air Architectural Museum

Yeap, this is a nice place. It’s like stepping back in time. There also is a big park with bike rentals etc. and food stands next to it (to the east). The «cycling course» here is rather small in scale, especially if you compare it with that in Showa Kinen Park or Shinrin Park. But no one would stop you if you went off and rode in the park. About transportation. There is a Seibu bus (#13, I think) running between JR Koganei Station, which is south of the park, and Seibu Shinjuku Hanakoganei Station and north beyond that if you want to save some walking. You’d need to get off at «Koganei Koen Nishiguchi (koganei park west entrance)»

(This review covers both the current Ghibli Architecture exhibit and the Museum overall.)
Three words: Wow, wow and wow!
If you appreciate the thought and care put into creating the visual environment for the world-​famous Studio Ghibli films, this is a must see. Even if you have been carried away by the enchanting stories and characters of the Ghibli films, seeing this exhibit will deepen your appreciation for the true craftsmanship that goes into each production.
I received the flyer for this while guiding a fellow Unilocaler visiting from overseas who wanted to visit the Ghibli Museum (separate review) in Mitaka. Of course I love the museum itself, and near the exit, the friendly staff was handing out the flyers. I asked if he had seen the exhibit and he wholeheartedly answered «Yes!» What was good about it? Granted, he could have been slightly biased as a museum staff, he was very honest in saying, «It goes beyond words. You just have to see it yourself.»
So last weekend during the long three-​day holiday, I made the trip out to Koganei Park north of Musashi Koganei station on the JR Chuo line to finally see the exhibit. Upon reaching the entrance, we were greeted with a long line of over a hundred people waiting just to get in to purchase the admission ticket! We decided to wait even though the was a guy bellowing out from a megaphone that the wait would be well over one hour and that it would be better to come back several hours later. Say what? We decided to wait. And wait. And wait. Then gave up. The next day was the Monday holiday, so we committed to return.
And return we did, at around the same time in mid-​afternoon. Surprise! No waiting line this time. It was also the last day of a special nighttime light up that happens only once a year. We could look forward to that in a couple hours.
So along with the fabulous display of authentic period architecture spanning over a hundred years, the key focus was a limited run exhibit of the architecture of Ghibli films. The exhibit was divided into two parts within the main entrance pavilion, and absolutely no disappointments here. From rough sketches, paintings and actual cell paintings to extremely detailed scale models from selected films, it was one eye-​opening scene after another. Several highlights, including a ¹⁄₁₀ scale model of the bathhouse in Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) were simply amazing. Mr. Miyazaki’s recreation of architectural styles from around the world were breathtaking and authentic, but at the same time quite natural in the settings of each respective film. After seeing these in person, I’m sure you will agree with me in concluding that the extreme attention to craft and detail could only have been created by extremely talented and well-​directed Japanese artists. No more spoilers here; you really need to see it in person!
The remaining time we toured around the huge grounds that featured full size examples of Japanese architecture, including the recreation of a Meiji period street featuring old versions of what you find in your neighborhood now: Dry goods store, local bar, bathhouse, among others. You really feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and since we were viewing this at night, the lighting was also authentic to the period, including real gas lights and very old incandescent bulbs.
I could go on, and maybe I’ll update this review on subsequent visits, but for now, there are only two words: Just go! At ¥400 admission for adults and half that price for seniors and high school kids and above, it’s also a deal in a city where major exhibitions normally command ¥1000 and up. (Junior high kids and younger get in free.)
Note 1: The exhibit, scheduled to end on December 14, 2014, has been extended by popular demand to mid-​March 2015. Yeah — I’m going again, and again, and again!
Note 2: The website has been updated and new and expanded items will be exhibited after mid-​December. Audio guidance and English supporting explanation will also be added from that time.
Note 3: Admission fees will be FREE on January 2 and 3, 2015 — first opening after the short break for New Years.
Note 4: Try to take public transportation from JR Higashi Koganei or JR Musashi Koganei stations. It’s about a 30 minute walk from either if you’re in the mood and the weather is good. Avoid driving, it’ll take you a long time to get into the parking lot and on weekends, it’s definitely not worth the time and cost.