Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

Technology museum · Kobe-shi

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

Technology museum · Kobe-shi

1

7 Chome-5-1 Kumochicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0056, Japan

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Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by 663highland (CC BY 2.5)
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by 663highland (CC BY 2.5)
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by 663highland ( CC BY 2.5)
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by 663highland (CC BY 2.5)
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by 663highland (CC BY 2.5)
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by 663highland (CC BY 2.5)
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum by null

Highlights

Museum of Japanese carpentry tools, joinery, and art  

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7 Chome-5-1 Kumochicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0056, Japan Get directions

dougukan.jp
@takenakacarpentrytoolsmuseum

Information

Static Map

7 Chome-5-1 Kumochicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0056, Japan Get directions

+81 78 242 0216
dougukan.jp
@takenakacarpentrytoolsmuseum
𝕏
@tctm_pr

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Last updated

Sep 11, 2025

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@atlasobscura

A Collection of 13 Eclectic Collections

"Japan is known for its unique architectural style, exemplified through buildings like The Great Buddha Hall and the Ise Grand Shrine, but while the finished structures get the fame, precious few stop to think about the specialized tools that allow for these masterpieces to be built. To remedy this, a museum was created in 1984 to showcase the full history of Japanese carpentry tools, from ancient times to the present day. Located on the outskirts of Kobe, the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum displays over 20,000 instruments in an elegant modern facility believed to be the only carpentry tools museum in the country. The collection is divided into seven sections, covering the history of the tools, an exploration into their aesthetic beauty, and an inside look into Japanese carpentry. Throughout the museum are sizable displays of chisels, planes, and thousands of other instruments. While the tools are largely from Japan, the museum also contains an extensive European and Chinese collection to contrast with the Japanese renditions. One of the museum’s most fascinating sections is “The Traditional Beauty of Japanese Wa,” which presents visitors with kumiko art, karakami paper, and a life-size model of a Japanese tea room." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/eclectic-collections
View Postcard for Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

Felicity 151

Google
If you’re into carpentry, this museum is a must-visit. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station, with beautifully arranged displays of tools and wood. The whole place has a very aesthetic and inviting atmosphere, and there’s also a relaxing space where you can sit and enjoy coffee and cake.

Aibi Y.

Google
Such a nice museum. The place looks great and the displays were very interesting. Definitely a must visit for Wood & Carpentry enthusiast. I really enjoyed the different styles of wood joints. It was so cool how they made each part fit to combine 2 parts with great stability. There were a lot of unique tools being displayed too. I really loved their creativity & passion for Carpentry.

J E

Google
Had no prior interest in woodworking but spent close to 2 hours here. For only 700 yen, you can check out the wide variety of wooden products ranging from daily essentials to buildings such as temples. Visiting this museum has made me appreciate shrines and such even more. There are English translations beside most of the work so not to worry if you do not understand Japanese. In addition, there are quite a few hands-on showcases such as one where you can disassemble and assemble the wooden joints which is my personal favourite. 100% recommended especially when it's rainy.

Li Lo

Google
Going there as a person with an above average interest in woodworking, this place is a heaven. Spent almost 3 hrs here and could be even longer if not for the closing hours (but I believe I spent a lot more time than an average person, trying to soak in all the content.) Amazing architecture on top of that. Tickets can be bought on the spot.

Paulius Leskauskas

Google
Very interesting if you ever wondered how the wooden housing in Japan was built. Easy to find, polite staff, wifi, english friendly. Might be a bit boring for kids of age 10 and bellow if they have no interest in woodworking, but that is because there is a lot of information about everything and the moving pace through the museum might seem too slow for younger kids. Overall great, would recommend.

Sergey Кulik

Google
I arrived here primarily because of the museum's architecture, which I wanted to take pictures of, but the exhibition was equally fascinating as the interior. The museum will awaken your interest in carpentry craft even if you are not familiar with this field. Highly recommend, even if you're only in Kobe for one day!

Martin Cawthorne

Google
For all the woodworkers out there, this museum is a must. Great displays and hands-on puzzles of complex wood joinery exhibits. Beautiful crafted chairs and table in the lobby area.

Elaine Villena

Google
A cute little museum for any woodworking enthusiast! They have QR codes for languages other than English and Japanese. There are little multilingual tablets throughout that have video of the different techniques displayed. The artwork is also so cute. The coin lockers also feature wooden keys!
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Marc P.

Yelp
The wife and I went here during our 2.5 week visit throughout Japan. We were extremely happy that we did. After seeing so many temples prior to coming here, this museum really allowed us to appreciate the structures even more than we already had. This is not a typical museum where one walks in and merely sees exhibits. This museum has many videos that one can watch to learn the techniques of these woodworking craftsman, as well as CAD-like imaging videos that allow one to see the layering of internal structure upon structure to create a final superstructure that is a temple itself. Additionally, there are many tools and wooden joints that one can touch, feel, and use. We spent two hours or so here, and we really gained a huge appreciation for how the temples were built. One could choose either an audio or video guide; we took the video guide with us and we really liked it. We could have easily spent more than 2 hours there if we wanted to watch in detail every video that they had. As well, they had a "hands on" room where you could work with carpenters to actually build something, but after 2 hours there it was closing time and so we didn't get a chance to do that. The museum mostly had adults in it, but with all the hands on stuff, I think older kids would probably enjoy this place as well (but not being a parent, I could be totally wrong here :) ).
google avatar

Lisa N.

Yelp
My husband and dad absolutely loved their tour of this amazing and historic museum. My father is a finish wood carpenter and my husband is definitely not BUT they both felt this was a favorite spot to visit on this trip to Japan. Cannot beat the talent and craftsmanship of Japan. Great tour guide did great on his English speaking skills. Wouldn't take young kids but adults who appreciate wood working skills will enjoy.