The Seiko Museum Ginza experience!
When I was planning my trip to Tokyo, it dawned on me that I would be on Seiko’s home turf. I wondered if they would have a museum or something similar, and lo and behold they do! Located in the heart of the Ginza area of Tokyo, the Seiko Museum Ginza is right near one of the train stations and the Seiko clock tower. It was super easy to navigate and find. It seems they do take walk-ins, but preference is for making a reservation in advance like I did. It’s free so why not! While there’s no gift shop, it’s right next to a full Seiko store. I held off looking because I know I would walk away with one and I didn’t put a watch purchase in my trip budget!
The museum itself is 6 floors (Basement to 5), but level 1 is really just the reception. It separates the history of Seiko into a more general history of the company, their tool watches, innovations, and more. One floor is also dedicated to a history of timekeeping, which was pretty cool, especially with some old Japanese clocks. It was cool, but I’ll admit I would have preferred another floor dedicated to Seiko over it. There displays with some of the first Seiko clocks and pocket watches, the first watch the Laurel, important tool watches like the Pogue, and a lot of Grand Seiko. They also went into the mechanics of how the watches worked, so there were displays which broke movements down to their parts. Most of the displays have Japanese and English, although some are only in Japanese. There are audio guides as well, but I didn’t use one.
The museum is pretty small all together. Each floor is one room, and they’re not big halls. Space is at a premium, so they try to make the most of it. Obviously I’d have liked more, but I think they did well given the limitations!
Overall it was a fun off the beaten path excursion for a watch geek! If you find yourself heading to Tokyo, I’d encourage you to check it out yourself. I spent around 1.5 hours there going at a decently slow place. Has anyone else been? What are some other good watch museums out there? Oh and bonus pic of the Seiko I wore to it, because I had to!
Watch collector, winemaker, metalhead, and all around nerd.
Thanks Eric for sharing 👍
Wow that’s great information and beautiful watch for the occasion. I’m planning on brining a Casio, Seiko, and Kurono when I go in March.
Thanks for sharing. Another stop now planned for our someday Japan trip.
Do you have to exit through the gift store?
Do you have to exit through the gift store?
Nope it is not connected to the Seiko store next door. Missed opportunity if you ask me hah!
A visit to the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi up in Morioka is worthwhile, and will require advanced booking (free). They do not accept walk-ins. The high-beat movements are manufactured here. It’s about a 2.5hr train ride north from Tokyo.
A visit to the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi up in Morioka is worthwhile, and will require advanced booking (free). They do not accept walk-ins. The high-beat movements are manufactured here. It’s about a 2.5hr train ride north from Tokyo.
Good to know! I’ll make sure I check it out to the next time I visit!
You've got some serious will power to not visit the store next door after the museum tour!
You've got some serious will power to not visit the store next door after the museum tour!
Trust me, it wasn’t easy! Having bought the cocktail time for this trip will have to count lol
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed this museum when I was there. Especially the basement where they had those clocks on display. So mesmerising.
One of my favorite things I saw in Tokyo. The function tower clock display let the biggest impression on me.
I ran out of time to go to the museum when I was in Tokyo last year. Definitely want to go next time!
Thanks for sharing. It is a great experience, I have been there twice myself.
Wow that’s great information and beautiful watch for the occasion. I’m planning on brining a Casio, Seiko, and Kurono when I go in March.
If you can build it into you trip you should check out Kurono's salon.
https://www.kuronotokyo.jp
I am still kicking myself for not visiting it before I left Japan.
If you can build it into you trip you should check out Kurono's salon.
https://www.kuronotokyo.jp
I am still kicking myself for not visiting it before I left Japan.
Yeah I’m going to try but it’s really not near anything.
Yeah I’m going to try but it’s really not near anything.
It looks like it is about a 30 min walk from Harajuku Station. Harajuku is a pretty iconic touristy area, so I am sure the family would like to check that out, you know while you check out the salon. 😂
If you can build it into you trip you should check out Kurono's salon.
https://www.kuronotokyo.jp
I am still kicking myself for not visiting it before I left Japan.
Cool! I might have a little extra time so I’ll see! I don’t own any Kurono watches, but that just seems like a cool space
It looks like it is about a 30 min walk from Harajuku Station. Harajuku is a pretty iconic touristy area, so I am sure the family would like to check that out, you know while you check out the salon. 😂
Yeah ummm, that’s not going to go over well haha. At least Seiko is in Ginza.
Cool! I might have a little extra time so I’ll see! I don’t own any Kurono watches, but that just seems like a cool space
I don't own any of their watches either, but I like them a lot. I am definitely a lurker when it comes to them.
Thanks for sharing your visit to the museum! You couldn't buy a Seiko in Japan, but you got a very nice Seiko Presage!
HA...TIL that there was a Seiko store next to it...can't believe I went to the museum and missed the store 🤦🏾♂️
HA...TIL that there was a Seiko store next to it...can't believe I went to the museum and missed the store 🤦🏾♂️
Haha I think it’s more like on the corner if I remember correctly, but it was super close. Guess you’ll have to go back and check it out again :p
Planning a trip to Japan around this year or then next one and, not gonna lie, this visit is one of the things I’m most excited for.
Actually this is really cool. I would love to go visit next time I am in Japan, thanks so much for your sharing.
That’s wicked cool. Great post
Hey what was the gift shop like? A seiko boutique?
Hey what was the gift shop like? A seiko boutique?
No gift shop, but yeah there’s a Seiko and Grand Seiko boutique right near it! There were a few other boutiques around the area too for the likes of Oris and Hublot