Located in a corner of central Tokyo, the Extinct Media Museum lives up to its name by showcasing obsolete technology.
From Betacam videotapes to floppy disks and vintage Sony devices, the museum displays old cameras and telecom equipment, including the oldest exhibit, a 1916 Japanese-made “Lily” still camera.
Among the museum’s cluttered shelves, visitors like 59-year-old Mika Matsuda can relive the past with gadgets that were once in everyday use.
“It’s fascinating not only for those unfamiliar with these items, but also for those who lived through those times,” said Matsuda. “Seeing these pieces feels like I’m having a flashback of our own lives.”
Opened in January 2023, the museum was founded on the belief that all media equipment, except for paper and stone, will eventually “die out,” as explained by deputy museum curator Barbara Asuka.
Most of the items are donated, and they are displayed in a way that encourages visitors to pick them up for a full sensory experience. “There’s a lot of information you can gain by holding it, like the smell,” Asuka said.
The museum accepts regular donations, and its goal is to allow visitors to experience these items using all five senses.
