Japan Toy Museum

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4.3

( 8 reviews )

Museums, Specialty Museums

Closed 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM See Hours

671-3 Koderacho Nakanino, Himeji, Hyogo 679-2143, Japan +81 7923-243-88

Introducing the Japan Toy Museum, a renowned destination for toy enthusiasts and history lovers. Located in Himeji, Hyogo, this enchanting museum offers an extensive collection of toys that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Japan. From traditional dolls to vintage playsets, visitors can explore the diverse world of toys and gain insights into the evolution of playtime across different regions and eras. The museum also hosts special exhibitions, such as the upcoming spring exhibition, "Hina Matsuri and Pretend Play," which will showcase a selection of exquisite Hina Matsuri dolls alongside a variety of playthings that adorned the daily lives of children throughout history. With its dedication to preserving and celebrating Japan's toy heritage, the Japan Toy Museum is a must-visit destination for both the young and the young at heart.

Reviews

4.3/5

8 reviews

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1 stars

Angela grindstaff

March 22, 2024

The owner of the place is a really nice passionate guy. His passion for toys all around the world is second to none, this place is amazing and is a must see for any people near the area.

Greatimprovement

March 22, 2024

A little off the beaten path but definitely worth the trip. Get off at Koro station and follow the signs along the way. Amazingly friendly staff - the owner of the museum in particular, Mr Inoue. Although my Japanese isn’t very good his passion for what he does shows, and it’s clear it’s a labor of love for him. The collection here is nothing short of incredible really, and covers old and new toys from all over the world. Really has to be seen to be believed. Not just for kids either - even as an adult, I enjoyed wandering around for a couple of hours taking in the sheer volume of toys that spread over 6 buildings. The owner actually offered to personally drive me to the train station when I left, which I’ve never had happen at any other museum I’ve visited. Would highly recommend!

Yu-hsuan hsu

March 22, 2024

This was a great “off the beaten path” experience away from the touristy area. Very welcoming staff. Cash (Yen) only. Access by the train then we walked (15 minutes) and caught a ride back to the station with the owner! It was the highlight of the day. Also, when you get off the train there is an amazing Boulangerie (bakery).

Jayson jenson

March 22, 2024

It's kind of away from everywhere, but that's also the charm, seeing how people in a small town live and what their houses look like on your way to the museum. The museum itself has mostly older toys, so no robots or gundam or transformers or anything. It's a little interesting, but not really worth traveling for unless you have nothing else to do.

Regan flinn

March 22, 2024

Excellent museum. A wide range of handmade toys from several countries are exhibited. Also shown are Japanese toys from different regions and eras. Museum is photo friendly as well. Descriptions of exhibits are limited and written mainly in Japanese. About a 20-25 minute walk from Koro train station.

Victor cardenas

March 22, 2024

Fantastic medium sized museum of toys from around Japan and other countries as well. The focus is on handmade toys so fans of handicrafts will also enjoy the exhibits. Explanations are mostly limited to country of origin and are provided in Japanese and English. Photos are allowed. A variety of wooden toys are available to play with but most of the items are behind glass. Despite the name, the museum is a labor of love by one man who built the collection with donated items over the past 50 years! I worry about the future of this collection as he is now in his 80s. Visit soon! There's also a membership program to help with the upkeep. I came by car as it's a fair distance from Himeji or Kobe but it is possible to visit but public transportation if you have time to spare.

Ellie dinsmore

March 22, 2024

Well worth the trip!! In the age of screens, it was great for the whole family to experience and re-remember the charm of mechanical toys. They had a bunch of wooden with marbles to play with and six warehouses full to the gills of Japanese toys and many from around the world. If I understood correctly, they have 90,000+ objects in the collection. It's a labor of love for the founders who are coming up on the 50th anniversary of the museum in 2024. This gem of a museum ought to get more recognition and visibility in guidebooks. It's a great resource for artists too! Combine it with a visit to Himeji castle for either a packed one day trip or make it two days, so you can also eat some good food and kakigori in Himeji.

Ricardo diaz

March 22, 2024

Well resourced toy museum located a bit out of the way in himeji. Naturally the focus is on a wide spanning array of Japanese toys, largely pre-80s so mostly folk toys and handmade types. Although it doesn't ignore more modern toys the owners passion is clearly on the older stuff. Features a rotating exhibit alongside the main rooms as well as a large section of folk toys around the world. Several interactive displays like spinning tops and marble droppers. Has a small gift shop as well - excellent place to visit if you can work your way there - the nearest station is Koro alongside a twenty minute walk. Small amount of English is available but you will get more out of it with Japanese language skills.