I was reading one of the studio's old Japanese music magazines while Mr. Miyamoto did his work.
We had a free day before leaving Tokyo. We went, as planned, to the John Lennon Museum. It was a fine sunny autumn day.
The magical mystery tour begins. Follow me, folks.
It's a 1-hour northbound metro-train ride from downtown Tokyo to the museum. The train stations are busy. The trains' soft velvety seats are nice.
The old lady on the right looks ultra Japanese, and cute!
"Smoking Areas" in open-air parts of the stations. No wonder Japan is called a smokers' heaven! 7:30~9:30 are non-smoking hours, however.
Shhhh...
Changing train
Lunch: Soba noodle and fried prawn
The John Lennon Museum opened to the public on October 9, 2000, the 60th anniversary of John's birth. Approved formally by his partner Ms. Yoko Ono, it's the first museum of its kind anywhere in the world. The museum was desingned in the hopes of accurately passing on his life and his works to the 21st century.It's located in the Saitama-Shintoshin (Saitama New Urban Center) in north Tokyo. The museum was a 4-minute walk from the Saitama-Shintoshin station. You get a 12"X8.5" flyer at the station's tourist info desk.
John's waiting for you
Kids picnicking by the museum
Good day, John.
The museum consists of 9 zones where nearly 130 John Lennon memorabilia from Yoko's collection are on exhibit. Beatles and Lennon music from different eras constantly play, according to the themes of the zones, in every space.
A corner of the lobby
Ticket to ride. Adult admission is ￥1500 JP ($16 USD).
A big collage of John's pictures
Liverpool
Light box poster and 12"X8.5" flyer for the special exhibition "There Are Places I Remember"- John Lennon and Liverpool.
The Museum's 6-page Autumn 2008 News Magazine
10" X 7 1/4" flyer for the November 1, 2008 "Autumnal Tea Seminar" that introduces the English Tea Culture
Postcard ad promoting the compilation CD and the "UK-Japan 2008" festival celebrating the 150th anniversary of UK and Japan's official friendship
On the back is info for the museum's lucky draw
Brochure and membership form of "The Beatles Club", Japan's official Beatles fanclub established in July of 1966
A poster launching the museum's 2009 calendar
A 1.5' tall bronze statue of John in the lobby
With John and Yoko
Let's go in. Photography was not allowed in the museum proper. Pictures courtesy of the museum's publications.
The Lounge, where visitors can spend quite some time watching videos and read Beatles/John related books. You can even find the Rittor "I Love 12 String Rickenbacker" book. Coffee and tea available in the lounge.
To start off the experience, visitors are led into a mini theatre (aprx. 60 persons capacity) to watch a 7-minute film about John's life. Watching the film, I was moved and had goose bumps all through the 7 minutes.
Into the Exhibit Zones...
["Childhood Memories" 1940~1955].
John's English excercise book from primary school
John made his own magazines. Here's some pages from "Spotlight on Sport, Speed and Illustration" Vol. 2 made at age 11.
Watercolour paintings by John in primary school
John's drawing book, "Daily Howl"
Cover of lyric book
["Rock and Roll" 1655~1962]
You see John's Quarry Men period Gallotone "Champion" acoustic quitar and his first Rickenbacker 325, along with some other memorabilia in this space.
She was right in front of my eyes. I kneel down and triple-bow.
Hamburg era leather jacket
Postcard from John dated 7 May 1962
["The Beatles" 1962~1967]
John's second 325 as the center of attention here. Kneel down and triple-bow again!
That little piece of setlist paper was right in front of my nose
"Help" original lyric
"In My Life"
John's glasses
Sgt. Pepper costume and a tape recorder from Abbey Road Studio
Epiphone Casino
"Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite"
Psychedelic
["Two Virgins" 1966]
John met Yoko at her art exhibit. The ladder was recreated here. You can see the words "YES" on the ceiling when you reach the top.
["Love And Peace" 1968~1970]
The "Bed-In" Gibson J-160E
"Package of Love And Peace" to the president of Chile
"Revolution"
"Dear Prudence"
["Imagine" 1970~1971]
The white piano from the "Imagine" video. I touched it!
The "No Black and White" chess set played by John and Yoko in the "Imagine" documentary
["New York City" 1971~1975]
John's Peace necklace
The "New York City" T-shirt
"Live in New York City" jacket and Gibson Les Paul Junior
John's glasses from the cover of the album "Mind Games"
["House-Husband" 1975~1980]
John's Cigarette case
"Darling Boy"
Yamaha custom-made this guitar for John. The gold dragon and clouds inlays on the body are breathe-takingly 3-D!
"Woman"
Ovation Legend 1651-4 from the cover of the album "Acoustic"
"(Just Like) Starting Over"
On the pure white walls of the Final Room are John's messages taken from 28 of John's compositions, in both English and Japanese. Visitors can read the messages and feel his spirit in a quiet environment.
The End. It took us 3 hours to go through and be in awe of the museum and the "real things" displayed. I had goose bumps all the way. A real religeous experience! I'm still feeling the thrills now, after 2 weeks, when I think back about it.
Take care, John. I'll be back!
So, now what?...Shopping time!!!
John Lennon Museum book
Yellow Submarine book
Pins and keychain
"Hard Day's Night" glass
Postcards and posters
Peace coat
On the left chest
Back home
Even in 2008, the world is still full of turmoils and conflicts. Let's continue to...
