This article is based on a visit made on Sunday, 13 November 2016.
Edit 2 October 2019: Updated prices to reflect the increase in Japan's national sales tax.
Previously on Sekai Ichi,
I visited the Decks shopping mall on Odaiba, which is home to several entertainment attractions. But the one I want to highlight for now is the Tokyo Odaiba Trick Art Museum (東京お台場のトリックアート美術館,
Tōkyō Odaiba no Torikku Āto Bijutsukan). "Trick art" is a form of optical illusion where paintings are set up in such a way that, when viewed from a certain angle, appear three-dimensional, even interacting with the outside world.
At the entrance, you will be assembled into small groups and led through the museum by a guide who will explain to you the concept of trick art, and demonstrate some examples of how it works. In this example, the guide's shirt is caught on a hook where the painted lady's finger is. Also, the bench on the left secretly protrudes out and can be sat upon. Guides who speak English or Mandarin Chinese are available upon request.
The first wing of the museum features trick arts based on Edo-period scenes, such as this one where I appear to be fighting off a pair of ninjas. Am I fighting them off with a high-flying butterfly kick, or was this picture taken upside-down with me just lying on the floor? You make the call!
In this room, two people position themselves at opposite corners. Because the floor is slanted upward, the person in front appears disproportionately larger than the one in the back. Of course, crouching down to make yourself even smaller helps.
The second wing is all about yokai, Japanese folklore monsters. Here I am escaping from a
Wanyudo (輪入道,
Wanyūdō, lit. 'wheel monk'), also known as a "firewheel" or "soultaker".
And here's one where I am reaching out from the mouth of a
Chochin-obake (提灯お化け,
Chōchin-obake, lit. 'paper lantern ghost'), or lantern ghost.
There are trick arts based on non-Japanese monsters, too! It's certainly fun to play-act in these scenes, even if I'm supposed to be trapped under this glass with no apparent escape.
The third wing, the "Trick Art Gallery", moves away from all the spooky stuff. I took this one for my sister, an animal lover who has done jobs and internships at a few zoos across the US, and likes giraffes most of all.
There are even a few non-painted illusions. Where has my body gone? For once, I'm not going to tell you...!
The museum ends with the "Puzzle Area", where this last painting is hung. Twelve animals are hidden in the painting, all from the Japanese Zodiac (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, boar). I managed to find them all! Can you...? Don't forget to click on the picture to view it in a bigger size!
Hours: Open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time. No regular closing days.
Costs: ¥1,000.
Address: Decks Tokyo Beach 4F, 1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tōkyō-to 〒130-0091
Access: 2 minutes from Odaiba Kaihin-koen station (Yurikamome line,
(U06)), or 5 minutes from Tokyo Teleport station (Rinkai line,
(R04)).
Directions: Tokyo Trick Art Museum is on the 4th floor of the Island Mall (south side).
Read my article on Decks Tokyo Beach for directions to the mall itself.
Website:
(English/Japanese)
