Shitamachi means "downtown" and refers to the area of Tokyo in which commoners used to live, mainly around Ueno and Asakusa. Today there's very little left of old downtown Tokyo, and with that in mind, the Shitamachi Museum seeks to preserve for future generations a way of life that was virtually wiped out by the great earthquake of 1923 and World War II. Shops are set up as they may have looked back then, including a merchant's shop and a candy shop, as well as one of the shitamachi tenements common at the turn of the 20th century. These tenements -- long, narrow buildings with one roof over a series of dwelling units separated by thin wooden walls -- were the homes of the poorer people. The tenements' narrow back alleyways served as communal living rooms. The museum also displays some personal effects of these residents, including utensils, toys, costumes, and tools, most of which you can pick up and examine more closely. Individuals, many living in shitamachi, donated all the museum's holdings. This museum is small and is recommended only if you don't have time to see the better Edo-Tokyo Museum. You can see it in about 20 minutes on your own, but I recommend taking advantage of free guided tours lead by volunteers, who can explain the function of various things you might otherwise miss, such as the fly catcher.
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