[Himeji City] “Japan Toy Museum” A museum that conveys disappearing toys to the future

• Table of Contents
• Great value bus tickets
• The second most amazing facility in Himeji “Japan Toy Museum”
• 50 years that I wish would be made into a drama
• Highlights of Japan Toy Museum
• Enjoy special exhibitions four times a year
• Future of the Japanese Toy Museum
• Access to Japan Toy Museum
• basic information

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The second most amazing facility in Himeji “Japan Toy Museum”

The Michelin Guide was created to make driving safer and more enjoyable. In the ``Michelin Green Guide Japan Revised 4th Edition'' (2016), Himeji was awarded 3 stars (★★★) for being ``worth the trip'' and ``Himeji Castle, a World Cultural Heritage Site and National Treasure''. ”Only one thing. And it is the only one that has been awarded a two-star rating (★★) for being "worth a detour."

This is the "Japanese Toy Museum" that I will be introducing next. By the way, the three places that were chosen as "interesting" with one star (★) are the "Himeji Castle West Residence Ruins Garden Kokoen," "Shoshazan Engyoji Temple," and "Himeji City Museum of Art." I hope you can understand how amazing it is that the Japan Toy Museum has been awarded two stars.

What makes it so highly regarded is the number and focus of its collection. Although it is a private museum, it has a collection of over 50,000 domestic items and over 30,000 overseas items from 160 countries and regions, totaling approximately 90,000 items. It is on display at the exhibition facility in the building.

Why were we able to collect so much? The museum's director, Mr. Shigeyoshi Inoue (born January 1939), has a sense of mission to ``preserve and display local toys that are not valued as cultural assets and are on the verge of disappearing,'' as well as ``toys related to children and women.'' It can be said that the driving force is a sense of crisis that cultural properties are not being valued.

In addition to materials collected by the director himself, the museum has expanded to its current size through donations from people who sympathize with the director's wishes.

50 years that I wish would be made into a drama

The Japan Toy Museum began with the Inoue Folk Toy Museum, which Director Inoue opened in a renovated room of his newly built home in 1974, when he was 35 years old. This was nine years before the Prefectural Museum of History and the City Museum of Art were built in Himeji.

At the age of 24, while working at a railway company, he happened to come across ``Japanese Folk Toys'' (written by Ryosuke Saito, published by Miraisha in 1962), which impressed him and led him to believe that his predecessors had created them for children. Inoue started collecting local toys (cute cultural assets of our people that have sprouted and blossomed in this country) and opened them to the public as the Inoue Local Toy Museum.

The Japan Toy Museum began in this one room (currently Building 2). There is a corner where you can experience spinning tops and other things in a space surrounded by tin toys.

The museum, which is open only on Saturdays and Sundays for free to ordinary office workers, has become a hot topic and has been broadcast nationwide on NHK, attracting many visitors. However, the 15-meter-long display case could not meet the demand for more, so he designed it himself and expanded it (currently Building No. 1) with the help of local shrine carpenters.

Since then, it has been repeatedly expanded, and in 1989, the number increased to Building 6, and the exhibition case was approximately 180 meters long.

Building 1. There are kites from all over Japan on the ceiling. We have hosted the National Kite Flying Festival (ended in 2012) at the Himeji Racecourse.

It seems like a lot has happened so far. When I was an employee, I did collection activities on my off-duty days. Every day, he goes to the field and interacts with collectors and researchers, finds the makers of toys that were thought to be extinct, and works steadily to inform the public.

For example, during the Edo period, women made bags and small boxes in the shape of dolls, animals, flowers, etc. using the leftover cloth after sewing kimonos, and during the Meiji period, they used it to make toys and amulets for children. We have made great efforts to restore the ``sewing decorations'' that were also used as ``chirimen zaiku'' (named by Director Inoue).

In 1979, the ``Toys of the World Exhibition'' was held in conjunction with the International Year of the Child, and it became a huge hit. It seems that this inspired him to focus on collecting toys from around the world. In 1984, when he turned 45, he retired from the company and began operating the museum in earnest, renaming it the ``Japan Toy Museum.''

The number of visitors increased year by year, reaching 79,000 in 1991. Since the population of Kodera Town at the time was about 20,000, it is calculated that nearly four times the population visited. At this time, there were many collectors, indicating that local toys were very popular.

In addition to my collecting activities, I have also published books such as ``Local Toys of Hyogo'' (written by Shigeyoshi Inoue/1981, published by Kobe Shimbun Publishing Center) and ``Illustrated Encyclopedia of Interesting Toys of Japan and the World'' (written by Shigeyoshi Inoue and Orime Ozaki/2017). 2020, published by Kobe Shimbun General Publishing Center), ``Folk Craft Toys of the World'' (written by Orime Ozaki / published by Daifuku Shorin, 2020), and ``Chinese People's Toys'' (written by Orime Ozaki), a collection of valuable toys from before the Cultural Revolution in China. Author: Daifuku Shorin, 2022) He has lived a very powerful life, working with curator Orimon Ozaki and others to publish books on how to make chirimen crafts.

They have published several manuals on local toys based solely on the items in their collection. available for purchase

In 1998, it was certified as a "museum-equivalent facility," one of only a few private museums in Japan, and in 2016 it received two stars in the Michelin Guide, and has been evaluated by numerous organizations to this day. .

As a private museum, it has been operated and loved for so long that it is sometimes called the ``Miracle Museum.'' Although the museum is privately owned, Director Inoue says, ``I do not believe that the materials in our collection are private property, but rather cultural heritage that society should protect,'' and that he would like to pass them on to future generations.

Highlights of Japan Toy Museum

The interesting thing about the Japan Toy Museum is that the highlights vary depending on the person visiting. When you think of a museum, you often think of a place where you can directly express your desire to see something, but the Japan Toy Museum is a place where you can find an index of encyclopedias. You can enjoy the period you want to see, the region you want to see, and the types you want to see from each perspective.

Nostalgia for older people, discovery among old things for young people, people who want to know about foreign cultures, foreign visitors who want to know about Japanese culture, people who want to study history and people who study design. There are endless ways to use it, including providing inspiration.

In fact, some people come to Himeji not because they want to visit Himeji Castle, but because they want to visit the Japan Toy Museum, and tourists from overseas visit here every day. The exhibition facilities include Buildings 1 and 6 for special exhibitions. Building 2 is ``Candy Store Toys and Modern Toys'' and exhibits everything from tin and celluloid toys to character toys that are still loved today.

Part of the exhibition in Building 2. Character toys that are still popular today can feel nostalgic depending on the era in which they were produced.

Building 3 is the "world of traditional handicrafts." On display are valuable materials such as chirimen crafts, temari crafts, bottle crafts, etc. that have been handed down by Japanese women since ancient times.

Part of the exhibit in Building 3. Temari is being made in a bottle

Building No. 4 is a two-story building, with ``Japanese local toys'' on the first floor and ``World Toys'' displayed by region on the second floor. For example, in ``Japan's Local Toys,'' you can see the differences between each region, such as daruma dolls, kokeshi dolls, spinning tops, papier-mâché, clay dolls, and kites.

Building 4, 1st floor “Japanese local toys”

There is also a corner with local toys from Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture.

"Toys of the World" has some interesting differences in design. Even if there are differences in color and shape, there are things that can be found in common with Japanese toys, and just looking at them can make them more interesting.

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2nd floor of Building 4 "Toys of the World". Exhibited by region. There are interesting things ranging from things unique to the region to things that are connected to Japanese culture.

Building 5 is the ``Lamp House'' and can be used primarily as a rest area. Apparently you can bring your own bento with you (please inquire in advance as it is sometimes used for events). A rest area is also available next to Building 6.

There is good news for those who say, ``I've been there many times.'' In October 2023, the lighting in the building was changed to LED. This allows the exhibits to be viewed with more vivid colors.

Enjoy special exhibitions held four times a year

There are special exhibitions and planned exhibitions to look forward to at the Japan Toy Museum. Many fans especially look forward to the special exhibition held four times a year in Building 6.

Scenes from the special exhibition “Christmas around the world: The creation of joy” being held from Saturday, November 11, 2023

Three out of the four times a year are held as standard: ``Winter Christmas,'' ``Spring Doll's Festival,'' and ``May Boy's Festival,'' each year with elaborate exhibits to entertain visitors. A special exhibition is being held. Curator Ayame Osaki is in charge of the exhibits, including these permanent exhibitions. He is also in charge of workshops, traditional toy classes, and publishing activities, and his deep insight and fun explanations about toys are appealing.

From November 11, 2023 (Saturday) to January 28, 2024 (Sunday), we will be holding a special exhibition entitled "Winter Special Exhibition: Christmas Around the World: The Creation of Joy." There are approximately 1,000 items on display. This is an opportunity to find out what Christmas is like around the world. This is something I would definitely recommend to people who only know about Christmas in Japan.

This time, the particularly noteworthy exhibit is ``The Candlestick of the Tree of Life'' (Mexico). It is a sculpture that symbolizes prosperity and fertility, a fusion of ancient Mexican folklore and the Christian worldview, in which there is a pillar-like tree that connects the heavenly world and the underground world, the world of gods and the world of humans.

This time, pay attention to the exhibit in the back that will appear for the first time in the winter special exhibition.

“Tree of Life Candlestick” (Mexico). It is large enough to be carried by four adults.

In this exhibition, we will explore what Christmas is all about. You can see from the trees and ornaments that this festival is not just a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but also a festival fused with local harvest festivals around the world.

Different ornaments from all over the world. These also contain wishes for peace and fertility that suit the circumstances of each region.

Future of the Japanese Toy Museum

The Japan Toy Museum has a large collection of items. It can be said that we are moving from an era of collection to an era of utilization.

You can actually play with toys that convey the warmth of wood.

Inside the museum, there are several places where you can actually touch tops and wooden toys, and you can often see nostalgic adults and children playing enthusiastically, and different generations enjoying time together.

These wooden toys are now valuable, and the local toy sales corner inside the museum is lined with products from manufacturers that have gone out of business.

There is also a sales corner for local toys such as kendama, daruma drops, and spinning tops.

We are also working on new ways to present our collection. For example, you can use two-dimensional barcodes to watch videos of exhibits moving. Once you find one, the fun expands into the world of toys that you'll want to see one after another.

There are two-dimensional codes in the instructions for some materials, and you can view the videos by scanning them with your smartphone. The photo is a snapshot of the wind-up ``bear wearing glasses'' moving.

We are currently living in a time when museums are in marked decline nationwide. The Japan Toy Museum used to have around 70,000 visitors at its peak, but the number of visitors has decreased year by year and is now less than 10,000.

Private museums, which cannot receive subsidies like public museums, need the support of many fans in order to continue operating. Come and experience the charm of the Japan Toy Museum. I'm sure you'll want to tell someone.

Japan Toy Museum Director Shigeyoshi Inoue (right) and curator Orime Ozaki (left)

Access to Japan Toy Museum

The Japan Toy Museum is located in an old residential area, but since it is an area where National Route 312 and the JR Bantan Line run parallel to each other from north to south, it is relatively easy to access as long as you know how to get around after going off a side street. It is located in If you come by car, there is a parking lot where tour buses can stop, and there is also parking for 30 regular cars.

There is a toilet (on the right) in the parking lot.

By train, get off at Koro Station on the JR Bantan Line and walk east for about 15 minutes. To get there, just walk almost straight. There are information boards everywhere, so you won't have to worry about getting lost. If you take a taxi from the station, the starting fare is 700 yen.

Go straight east from Koro Station. Hirose intersection on National Route 312. There is a sign on your left telling you to go straight to the Japan Toy Museum. There is a signboard after that so you can go without hesitation.

The nearest bus stop is Shinki Bus 84 bound for Fukusaki Ekimae, "Koro Ekimae Bus Stop". The fare from Himeji Station north exit (platform 7) is 540 yen. However, please be aware that there are only 3 flights a day (2 return flights) on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and 2 flights on weekdays.

(Writer Takashi Tsukamoto)

*This article is information as of November 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.

basic information

Japan Toy Museum

Address: 671-3 Nakanino, Kodera-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 079-232-4388

Opening hours: 10:00-17:00

Closed: Wednesdays (open on holidays), year-end and New Year holidays (December 28th to January 3rd)

Access: (Train) 15 minutes walk from JR Bantan Line Koro Station (There are information boards at various places from the station) (Car) Approximately 5 minutes west from the Funatsu ramp on the Bantan connecting road, from the Chugoku Expressway Fukusaki IC Approximately 15 minutes south (Bus) Shinki bus 84 bound for Fukusaki Ekimae 12 minutes walk from "Koro Ekimae bus stop"

Parking: Available (approx. 30 spaces free)

Official website: https://japan-toy-museum.org

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Notes: Recruiting Tomo-no-kai members: Annual membership fee (2,000 yen), admission is free upon presentation of membership card, and information on special exhibitions and events will be sent.