Extinct Media Museum Tokyo
🏛️ Extinct Media Museum Tokyo
"All media other than paper and stone will become extinct."
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Japan, the Extinct Media Museum is a private institution dedicated to the preservation of technology. It collects and showcases media formats and hardware that have either already vanished or are currently fading away due to the relentless pace of technological evolution.
🔍 What is the Extinct Media Museum?
The museum operates on a singular, provocative belief: that almost every medium of recording will eventually disappear, leaving only the most primal forms—stone and paper—behind. To document this process, they curate a vast array of "dying" tech.
The "Touch Museum" Experience
Unlike traditional galleries, this is a touch museum. Visitors are encouraged to:
- Physically handle the exhibits.
- Examine the intricate internal structures of devices.
- Feel the specific weight and material textures of obsolete hardware.
Collection Scope
The museum houses approximately 4,000 items, with 3,000 of these available for permanent viewing. The collection spans a wide variety of categories:
| Category | Examples of Items |
|---|---|
| Visuals | Video cameras, photo cameras, projectors, viewers |
| Text/Data | Typewriters, PCs, Word Processors, PDAs, e-book devices |
| Audio | Music players, recording media, radios |
| Comm. | Cell phones, PHS, mobile terminals with keyboards |
📹 Focus on Motion Pictures
The museum places a heavy emphasis on the progression of home cinematography. The exhibit is designed so that the evolutionary leap from chemical film to digital memory is immediately apparent.
📚 The Basement: Library of the Lost Catalog
Below the main exhibits lies the "Library of the Lost Catalog." This archive contains 3,000 product catalogs dating from the .
The ScanSnapSpot
The library functions as a ScanSnapSpot. Researchers and enthusiasts can:
- Connect their own laptop to the resident
SV600scanner. - Digitally archive catalogs for their own research.
- Take the data home for further study.
🌐 The Ultimate Goal: Distributed Permanence
The museum's objective isn't just physical storage, but digital dispersion. By allowing visitors to take photos, record videos, and perform 3D scans, the museum ensures that the image of these objects is scattered across global blogs and social media.
The Philosophy of Preservation:
Visitors are actively encouraged to share their findings on SNS to help achieve this goal.
🛠️ Services & Commerce
- Prop Rentals: All exhibits are available for rent (typically for a 2-night, 3-day period or weekly) for use in:
Modern blockbustersIndependent films- Music videos
- Television programs
- Museum Shop: Exclusive merchandise including stickers, keychains, T-shirts, tote bags, and postcards.
- Web Museum: Approximately of the collection is indexed in a free online database.
📋 Visitor Information
Admission & Access
Admission fees apply, though certain groups receive special consideration:
- Students/Faculty: Must present a valid student ID.
- Accessibility: People with disability certificates and one caregiver enter free of charge.
- Donors: Special access for those holding a Donor Card and their guests.
Contact & Location
Address: 2-3-6 Uchi-kanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Japan (Kaede Building 1F) Nearest Stations:
- JR Kanda Station (West Exit)
- Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Otemachi Station (A2/Kamakurabashi direction)
Phone: 03-5256-5700 (For operating hours only)
Note: For donations or press inquiries, please use the official online contact form.
🗃️ Comprehensive Media Index
The museum tracks a staggering array of formats, including but not limited to:
LaserDisc | VHD | Beta | VHS | MicroMV | 35mm Film | Half-Frame | 127/126/120/110 Film | APS | Vinyl | Eight-track | Open Reel | DAT | DCC | MD | PDA | PHS
