Tokyo Waterworks History Museum: Free Summer 2026 Events for Kids to Enjoy and Support School Research Projects

The Tokyo Waterworks History Museum will host numerous events during the summer vacation period from Saturday, July 18 to Monday, August 31, 2026, targeting elementary school students (mainly grades 3 and 4). Why not participate in the events and explore the museum’s permanent exhibitions to learn about Tokyo’s water history that dates back to the Edo period?

※ Participation methods vary by event. Please check the official website for details. ※ The museum will be closed on Monday, July 27 and Monday, August 24.

Event Information

● Summer Research Event: Water Experiments with Tokyo Waterworks Staff

Join Tokyo Waterworks Bureau employees (from the water testing division) for hands-on experiments related to water purification and water quality testing.

【Dates】July 23 (Thu) – 25 (Sat) 【Time】① 10:30–11:30 / ② 14:00–15:00 (same content each day) 【Target】Elementary school grades 3–4 and their guardians 【Capacity】20 groups per session 【Registration】Advance online registration required (Application period: Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, July 5)

● Summer Research Event: Historical Waterworks Tour with Attendants

A special summer edition of the museum’s regular “guided tour” (typically for school groups), now including a “book talk” session introducing books and materials useful for post-visit learning about water history.

【Dates】July 29 (Wed) – August 2 (Sun) 【Time】10:30–11:40 (same content each day) 【Target】Elementary school students (mainly grades 3–4) and their guardians 【Capacity】15 groups per session 【Registration】Same-day first-come, first-served (tickets distributed at 1F reception from 10:00)

● Workshop: “Blow Edo-Era Bubbles”

Experience making traditional Edo-period soap bubbles using mukuroji seeds and bamboo straws.

【Dates】① August 11 (Mon, Holiday) / ② August 20 (Thu) 【Time】10:30–11:30 (same content each day) 【Capacity】Approx. 30 participants per day 【Registration】Same-day first-come, first-served (please come directly to the venue)

● Lecture for Children: “The Story of Edo’s Water System”

Learn about Edo’s water supply system (called “jōsui”) and the Kanda and Tamagawa aqueducts.

【Dates】① July 19 (Sun) / ② August 16 (Sun) 【Time】14:00–14:45 (content varies by date) 【Target】Elementary school students (mainly grade 4, guardians must accompany) ※ Adults-only participation is generally not allowed (only if seats remain at start time) 【Capacity】30 participants per session 【Registration】Same-day first-come, first-served (registration starts at 13:45)

● Children’s Exhibition: “Did You Know? The Tamagawa Aqueduct!”

A limited-time exhibition corner where children can learn about the Tamagawa Aqueduct and Edo’s water systems.

【Dates】July 28 (Tue) – August 6 (Thu) 【Registration】Open to all visitors

● Waterworks History Museum Festival

Enjoy family-friendly mini-games such as “shuriken target toss.” On event days, photo panels featuring the “Tamagawa Brothers” will be available for commemorative photos.

【Dates】August 22 (Sat) and 23 (Sun)

【Time】13:00–16:00

【Registration】Free participation (receive a ticket at 1F reception)

● “Jōeikai” (Water Film Screening)

Screening of water-themed anime films: for elementary students at 14:30, and for preschoolers at 15:00.

【Dates】August 7 (Fri), 9 (Sun), and 11 (Tue, Holiday)

【Time】14:30– / 15:00– (same content each day)

【Registration】Open viewing

● Exhibition: “How Water Is Used”

An exhibition encouraging visitors to think about household water consumption.

【Dates】July 18 (Sat) – August 20 (Thu)

【Registration】Open viewing

● Children’s Library: “Fountain of Picture Books and Learning”

A special space on the 3rd-floor library where children can read picture books, study, and enjoy their time. 【Dates】July 18 (Sat) – August 31 (Mon)

【Registration】Open access

For more details, visit:

Tokyo Waterworks History Museum

The Tokyo Waterworks History Museum is a public relations facility operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau. It showcases Tokyo’s approximately 400-year history and technology of water supply, from Edo-era aqueducts like the Kanda and Tamagawa systems to the establishment of modern waterworks and today’s water infrastructure. In addition to permanent exhibits such as the actual wooden water pipes (“kibuta”) from the Edo period and a recreated Edo-era row house area, the museum preserves and displays valuable materials related to waterworks, including the historical document “Jōsui-ki.” The museum also offers audio guides, and provides access to books related to water, Edo, and Tokyo’s history.

【Address】2-7-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 【Opening Hours】9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM) 【Closed】Fourth Monday of each month (closed the following day if Monday is a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays 【Access】Approx. 8 minutes on foot from JR or subway Ochanomizu Station or Hongō-Sanchōme Station; approx. 12 minutes from Suidōbashi or Shin-Ochanomizu Station 【Admission】Free 【Notes】No parking available; groups of 7 or more must make prior reservations 【URL】https://www.suidorekishi.jp/

※ The Tokyo Waterworks History Museum is a PR facility operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau, with Nomura Kosakusha Co., Ltd. managing operations under commission.