Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

This is Japan’s only museum dedicated to carpentry tools. To date, the museum has collected more than 35,000 materials, and around 1,000 carpentry tools from this collection are on display. Replica joints from the Kondo Hall of Toshodai-ji Temple tower over 7 meters tall in the atrium space, large-scale structural replicas of tea houses show off the detailed work that goes into sukiya architecture, and there are various hands-on displays for visitors to touch and smell. Moreover, although it appears modern at first glance, the traditional techniques of expert craftsmen can be seen throughout the building, and thus the museum itself is a place for visitors to see expert craftsmanship first hand. There are many photo-worthy spots, too: the backdrop of Mt. Rokko against the tranquil building, the break room at the back of the museum grounds, the verdant gardens, and of course, the permanent exhibits. Tools symbolic of the beauty of function, traditional beauty put together with skilled handiwork, and craftsmanship and Ingenuity that has sustained the wooden architecture of Japan—learn about these and much more as you stroll around the museum.
(Photo 1: Tools and Handwork, Permanent Exhibition; Photo 2: Making the Most of Wood, Permanent Exhibition)
Photos provided by: Kobe Tourism Bureau

[Fee] Adults: 700 yen; Seniors (65 and over): 500 yen; University and high school students: 500 yen; Junior high school students and younger: Free
[Access] Approx. 3 min. walk from Shin-Kobe Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen or Kobe Municipal Subway;
 approx. 2 min. walk from the Kumochi-rokuchome bus stop on the #2 and #18 Kobe City Bus
[Credit Card Payment] Not accepted
[Foreign Language Support] Yes (English-language leaflets)