Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Kubota Castle Ruins

3.5

169 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Akita Pref. Akitashi Senshukouen 1-39

This is a paid-entry ruins facility in Akita City Senshu Park. The four-story building has a museum on the first and second floors exhibiting materials and movies related to the Akita fief's Satake clan. The upper floor has an observation deck with views of Akita City's lovely scenery. It's a popular spot for those looking to get closer to area history and culture.

It was a pity that when we visited the castle, it’s a cloudy and rainy and therefore, everywhere was dark. But looking at the snow scene, it looked really nice. After visiting multiple castles here...
Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum

4.0

97 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Uozakinishimachi 1-9-1

"You can reach this museum by getting off at the JR Rokko Liner's Minami-Uozaki Station, taking the elevator to the first floor, and walking two minutes northwest. The museum displays an array of small sake related items, as well as the ""Nada-based Sake Brewery's Equipment,"" a nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property. The original building collapsed in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and the current structure incorporates some of its beams and pillars. Interacting with the equipment will give you a feel for the traditional Kimoto method for brewing sake, as well as the work and life of the brewers. They have tastings that include raw, unprocessed sake as well. Their original Sakagura Soft Serve Ice Cream is a hit."

We just spent a wonderful morning at the brewery. An informative video, small exhibition and tasting. Rather than walking to another brewery, we decided to take the tour of factory where they make...
Akita Folk Art Tradition Museum (Neburi-nagashi Museum)

4.0

148 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Akita Pref. Akitashi Omachi 1-3-30

Located in 1 Chome Omachi, Akita City, this historical resources museum has exhibits on Akita’s cultural arts, particularly the kanto lanterns used in the Akita Kanto Festival. It features a practice room and a conference room, and in summer, there is an event featuring performances of cultural arts. There is also a spot for actually getting acquainted with the kanto lanterns.

This shows an outsider like myself how the festival is held and what is involved by those participating.
Kakukyu Hatcho Miso (Hatcho Miso no Sato)

4.0

108 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Aichi Pref. Okazakishi Hacchouchou Oukandori 69

Hatcho Miso no Sato in Hatcho Town, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, is owned by the Hatcho miso producer Kakukyu who have been making this kind of fermented soybean paste since the early Edo period. The black walled main building resembling a church and the storehouse built in 1927 have been designated as registered tangible cultural properties of Japan. In the old Meiji period storehouse now refurbished as an historical museum, visitors can see reproductions of how miso used to be made and the tools that were used. Visitors can also take a tour of the Hatcho Miso factory with guided tours available on weekends and national holidays. There is also a shop, an area to sample the miso, and a restaurant on site.

The tour is free, but you have to register yourself at the reception counter inside the souvenir shop. You will find it located on your left once you enter the shop. You will be given a piece of...
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine Treasure Museum

4.0

168 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hiroshima Hatsukaichi-shi Miyajimacho 1-1

When I visit some temple or shrine, I usually skip this kind of treasure hall. But this treasure hall of Itsukushima Shrine is worth visiting for its remarkable collections. At the entrance of...
Komatsu Green Park

4.0

97 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Komatsu-shi Komatsunomori 1

"A one-minute walk from the east exit of JR Komatsu Station, this hands-on museum was built on the site of a former factory of Komatsu, a construction machinery manufacturer. Visitors can learn about Komatsu's 100-year history and the mechanisms and technologies of construction machinery through hands-on experience. Visitors can also get hands-on experience with construction equipment, such as riding in the driver's seat of the ""930E"" super-large dump truck and the ""PC4000"" hydraulic excavator, as well as operating a mini excavator for children. At ""Genki Satoyama"", a recreation of a satoyama (woodlands close to the village) in the Kaga region, visitors can observe a wide variety of plants and living things. Admission is free."

巨大なショベルカーとダンプトラックが展示されています。時間帯によっては、運転席に乗れます！ただし、かなり時間が限られているので、WEBで時間をチェックしてからいくとよいです。また身長95センチ以下の小さい子は、必ずおんぶ紐です。抱っこ紐はNG。芝生エリアや、ベンチも少しあるので、ピクニックしてもよいですね。室内展示も少しあります。働くクルマ好きな幼児は大興奮です。
Showa-kan (National Showa Memorial Museum)

4.0

93 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kudanminami 1-6-16F-7F

A museum where visitors can learn about the hardships and daily life of everyday Japanese citizens during and after WWII, since it first opened in 1999, more than 5.3 million people have visited the National Showa Memorial Museum. Since 2015, admission to the museum's regular exhibits has been free for elementary and junior high school students. Children can have fun while learning through videos, hands-on exhibits, and exploration.

I found it very interesting, and was grateful for the English audio guide. One of the men at the museum explained a lot of exhibits to me. I think it would attract more tourists if there was more...
Togakushi Folk Museum / Togakushi Ninja Museum / Ninja Trick Mansion

4.5

85 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Togakushi 3688-12

This is a facility in the Togakushi ninja village in Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, separated into three buildings: the Togakushi Folk Museum, the Togakushi Ninja Museum, and the Ninja Trick Mansion. The Togakushi Folk Museum, restored from an Edo period rice tax granary building, displays 2,000 items relating to everyday items that support local customs. The Togakushi Ninja Museum has around 500 items including ninja tools and various ninja documents by which one can learn about Togakushi ninja arts. The Ninja Trick Mansion is full of activities that even adults can enjoy like children. With a shuriken (throwing star) dojo and coffee house, it is a spot that adults and children can play around for a whole day.

Maybe not worth a trip on its own unless youre really into ninjas, but if youre visiting Togakushi Shrine this is definitely worth a side trip.
Minato Oasis Nagisanoeki Tateyama

4.0

96 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Chiba Tateyama-shi Tateyama 1564-1

"Tateyama Beach Station is multipurpose facility located along the Uchibo Nagisa Line Highway. It is adjacent to the Nagisa no Hakubutsukan (Beach Museum), a satellite collection of the Tateyama City Museum, which displays Boso Peninsula fishing implements (designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property) and other exhibits related to the fishing industry on the Boso Peninsula. In addition to Umibe no Hiroba (""Seashore Plaza""), which exhibits living things found in Tateyama, there is an observation deck where visitors can watch the sunset over Tateyama Bay or see Mt. Fuji, as well as well as Tateyama Sunset Pier, the longest such pier in Japan. The commercial building contains a market where visitors can buy seafood and agricultural products directly from those who produced them, as well as a restaurant that serves dishes made with fresh, local ingredients."

お土産を買いに立ち寄りました。物産店には新鮮な地物野菜が売られてました。子供が喜びそうな水槽展示もあり、隣の資料館ではさかな君展をやってました。魚君が館山市民ということを初めて知りました。
Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan

4.0

104 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Motomachi 2-1-10

This local museum is in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. It preserves and displays important materials related to the Kawagoe Hikawa Matsuri, a nationally recognized Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset and one of the Kanto region's three greatest festivals. The exhibition hall always has two floats on display, and in Sundays and holidays they hold a performance of the parade's dance music, called ohayashi.

This is a definite must see, the staff are very friendly and happy to share their knowledge. There is a video about the festival and floats as well as a lecture. The floats are beyond amazing! The...
National Site of Scenic Beauty, Niigata Old Saito Villa

4.5

102 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Nishiohatachou 576

Just a 15-minute drive from JR Niigata Station. This giant villa measuring 1,300 tsubo (approximately 4,300 square meters) was built in 1918 by Saito Kijurou, a wealthy merchant in one of Niigata's three largest financial conglomerates. The sand-dune topography and heavy use of local stones and product gives the strolling garden a very natural feeling and the building is said to be an excellent example of modern Japanese style construction. These together have led the former Saito family vacation house and garden to have been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. They hold seasonal events including evening illuminations in the fall and you can enjoy the view of the garden while relaxing with tea and sweets.

A lovely place to see. We were there in April. The house is well worth the wander around and although not a lot in English you were able to get the gist of everything. The gardens are beautifully...
Akita City Akarenga Red Brick Folk Museum

4.0

112 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Akita Pref. Akitashi Omachi 3-3-21

This is a museum of local history in Omachi Town, Akita City, Akita Prefecture, arranged in three buildings including the former Akita Bank headquarters “Red Brick House” constructed in 1912. Traditional craft items from Akita City are exhibited in the red brick building, designated as an important cultural property of Japan. Concerts are held annually in the magnificent atrium hall. The new building has memorial rooms for Akita-born woodblock print artist Katsuhira Tokushi and national treasure hammer artist Sekiya Shiro, as well as exhibitions relating to Akita’s history, folklore and art.

This is a beautiful example of a building from the period; there are exhibits of local artists. One woodworking other a painter.
Sunomata Ichiya Castle (Ogaki City Sunomata Historical Resource Center)

3.5

66 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gifu Pref. Ogakishi Sunomatachousunomata 1742-1

The Sunomata Ichiya (“overnight) Castle is said to have been erected in a single night by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1566. On top of its ruins, the Sunomata Ichiya Castle (Historical Resources Museum) was built in 1991. It is a place for learning about Taiko Hideyoshi, particularly his relationship with Sunomata Castle. Approximately 20 minutes by car from Gifu-Hashima Interchange on the Nashin Expressway.

1566年に木下藤吉郎が一夜にして砦を建てたと伝えられている墨俣一夜城。織田信長はこの城を拠点に美濃を制覇したという。見た目にも美しい素晴らしいお城。橋こら見る城は格別な素晴らしさ！城内はさまざま展示があり歴史を学ぶことができて良いです。天守からの風景も良いです。
Innoshima Suigun Castle

3.5

78 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hiroshima Pref. Onomichishi Innoshimanakanoshouchou 3228-2

This is a museum modelled as a castle and exhibits materials related to Murakami, Innoshima. The castle was built in 1983 under the supervision of the historian, Tatsuya Naramoto. From the period of the Northern and Southern Courts to the Sengoku period, the Murakami Navy controlled the sea routes around this whole area, and they prospered as a “Suigun” (naval forces) kingdom. The main citadel is a naval archives, the outer citadel is an exhibition room and the corner tower is an observation platform.

因島の村上海賊の拠点です。城の中は資料館になっていて海軍に関する資料が展示されています。村上3家のそれぞれの歴史を調べてみると面白いかと思います。
Rausu Visitor Center

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Menashigunrausuchou Yunosawachou 6-27

You can find out about the nature, history and culture of Shiretoko through the displays, commentary and films at the Rausu Visitor Center. In this center, you can see displays of killer whale skeletons, different panel displays and taxidermy. You can also see videos that introduce the scenery of Shiretoko and the local ecology. There is a playground for kids in this center which is great to visit with them.

This should be the standard by which all other visitor centres should be judged. Excellent in every way.
Tottori Karo Crab Aquarium

4.0

97 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tottori Tottori-shi Karocho Nishi 3-27-2

"The aquarium is located next to ""Tottori Port Seafood Market Karoichi"" near Karo Port, west of Karo-machi, Tottori City, and offers ""see, touch, and experience"" exhibits and hands-on events with different themes each season. From May to October, many families enjoy playing barefoot in the outdoor wave pool."

蟹の水揚げで有名な賀露港近くにあります。魚市場が隣接していて駐車場も充実しているので、県内外からお客さんが訪問しています。こちらの施設は、こぢんまりしていますが、入場無料なので気軽に入れます。様々な種類の蟹に展示をしていますが、私が一番印象に残ったのは、遣唐使などで有名な吉備真備が賀露に訪れた伝説の案内板。教科書には載っていないエピソードが、真偽はともかく非常に興味深い内容でした。
Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

4.0

122 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hakodateshi Suehirochou 21-7

Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples is located in Suehiro Town, Hakodate and introduces the lives and culture of northern peoples. Collections with high academic value on a global level are on display. They include materials formerly held by Hakodate City Museum collected by philanthropists and the Hokkaido Development Commission between 1879 and 1886 in addition to Ainu folk materials collected by Dr. Osamu Baba, a world authority on research into northern peoples.

This was my favorite museum in Hakodate. Everything was in English as well as Japanese. Learned a lot about the native people and early settlers. Only 300 yen. One hour is probably enough time.
Kanazawashi Ashigaru Museum

4.0

127 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-9-3

A museum located in Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture which displays materials related to the life and work of “ashigaru,” common foot soldiers who existed during the era of Japan’s feudal domains. The museum consists of two wood longhouses used as ashigaru barracks which were moved to this site. The hedge, trees and other plants, and distinctive roof with stones placed on top all replicate how the facility would have looked when used to house ashigaru. Inside, visitors will find exhibits presenting life goods and furnishings used at the time, providing a glimpse into the foods ashigaru ate, the side work they engaged in to occupy their time, and other aspects of their everyday life.

I walked around the Nagamachi (samurai) district and found three other houses that were open to the public free of charge which I enjoyed much more than the Nomura Samurai house. One of them was the...
Nagara River Ukai Museum (Gifu Nagara River Museum of Ukai Tradition)

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gifu Pref. Gifushi Nagara 51-2

This museum in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture is a six-minute walk from the Ukaiya bus station located a short bus ride from Gifu Station. The museum was opened in 2012 in order to propagate, spread, and protect the tradition of ukai (cormorant fishing) in the Nagara River, which has continued for over 1,300 years. The museum’s first floor features an area where you can learn hands-on about ukai as well as exhibits including examples of traditional ukai attire. On the second floor, visitors can enjoy learning about ukai from exhibits about usho (cormorant fisherman) and their yago (trade names), exhibits on historical figures with deep connections to ukai, a “guidance theater,” and more. The museum also rents out conference rooms and other facilities.

This is a great insight into the ukai. Miserable weather outside prevented me from better enjoyment of the live birds, in their full breeding plumage. There should be some interaction with the u...
Chikuzen Municipal Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum

4.5

53 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukuoka Pref. Asakuragunchikuzenmachi Takata 2561-1

A history museum located in Asakura County, Fukuoka Prefecture. The museum contains some 1,800 exhibits with a focus on items from the Pacific War, and visitors can view an actual Nakajima Ki-27 used for the former Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, and a Mitsubishi A6M Zero used by the former Japanese Imperial Navy. In addition to its permanent exhibition, the museum also regularly holds special exhibitions and events.

This peace memorial stands on the site of former military airbase. (Actually the premises of KIRIN beer factory were also a part of that airbase.) Since I had already visited Chiran before I came to...