Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum image

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

Museum Technology museum

One of the Best Places To Visits in Kobe


Address

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

Website

dougukan.jp

Contact

+81 78-242-0216

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (1.3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (27) Japanese (21) tools (16) wood (16) carpentry (12) nice (10) interesting (8) history (8) woodworking (8) time (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Scott C. 7 months ago on Google • 1008 reviews
    This was such an interesting museum that focused on the history of Japanese woodworking from the beginnings to the present age. Seeing the different tools and how things evolved over time was interesting. Making my own coaster from wood was a nice break while there and it was a free experience which was nice. A nice person who works there explained things to me in even greater detail which added to the enjoyment. It was a well designed place and with a nice Japanese garden to look at after the experience.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard L. 1 year ago on Google • 205 reviews
    This museum was exactly what I was looking for. A mostly Japanese focused museum of carpentry tools from the Neolithic to modern time. There are also plenty of multi-lingual multimedia experiences to explain how the tools were used and hands-on joints to play with from quite simple to impossible-looking. The museum is an oasis of calm in a very busy part of town. Don't leave your visit too late though, traffic on the local expressways can be horrible.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Darren D. 1 year ago on Google
    I visited the previous location which was very nice, and the new location is even nicer. Be sure to visit the “lounge” area with a beautiful Japanese garden and appreciate the zen aesthetic and ultra high-end construction details. The museum is literally next door to Shin-Kobe station; exit the station and go left to take the pedestrian walkway accessed via stairs or ramp.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joel D. 1 year ago on Google • 7 reviews
    This museum is without a doubt the best museum I have ever been to! As a carpenter, that may be a little biased but this place is truly amazing! I spent around 3 and a half hours here, there are lots of interactive displays and interesting videos on everything from tool making to constructing temples. I personally fell in love with the humble Sumitsubo inkpot and the fascinating array of designs crafted by the carpenters who used them. If you have even a passing interest in woodworking, tools or Japanese history then I highly recommend this place!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dashiell R. 1 year ago on Google
    I visited this museum three years ago and I continue to think about it all the time. It is truly a marvel, and is one the most aesthetic, informative, memorable, and interesting museums I have ever been to. I went in with barely any knowledge or particular interest in carpentry, and I left with a wealth of knowledge that gave me a newfound perspective and much deeper appreciation for Japanese wood working. Cannot recommend this museum enough, particularly putting this near the start of your trip. Also this paper puzzle is one of the coolest souvenirs I’ve ever picked up anywhere.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Melissa 5 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Had an amazing time at this museum. It showcases the history of Japanese carpentry and the skills and craftsmanship of master carpenters and the blacksmiths who made their tools. After buying your ticket, you can store your bags and things in the locker room to the left of the shop area. The locker requires a 100 yen coin but it is returned after you insert the key again to open the door. I spent about 4 hours here and could have spent another 4 as there were several videos and short documentaries (English available) that can be watched individually on the basement floor as well as a workshop to craft your own pieces under the guidance of staff. The free audio guide can be accessed on your phone via the free Wi-Fi and English is available. The audio guide provides a lot of information and is well worth using. Numerous items are available to touch and feel like the shavings of different types of planers. I loved the comparison of the rough planed plank vs. the finish planed plank. I also loved the joinery examples where you can take apart and re-assemble the blocks and observe the joinery techniques. There are also several touch screen displays throughout the exhibitions with additional short videos that you can play through. A lounge area with views of the garden is available with vending machines and water for refreshments. I think the museum has so many great touches to make the experience top notch. It has really set the bar high. Whenever I come back to Kobe, I would certainly visit this museum again (earlier to spend more time) and also try out a workshop.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Susan A. 11 months ago on Google • 315 reviews
    This is an amazing museum about Japanese carpentry and building. It had a stone building display when I visited and lots of displays of tools and designs. The building is open and airy. They have adorable carpentry tool gifts also.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ming C. 1 year ago on Google • 138 reviews
    Would definitely visit if you're in Kobe and interested in art or history! 🎨 The exhibits displayed here gave me a glimpse into the story of how Japan values craftsmanship and why it is so deeply rooted in their culture. 🪵 On the first floor was a really nice ceramic tile exhibit that paired excellently with the carpentry masterpieces on the underground floor.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emi H. 5 years ago on Google
    This place is fantastic to learn about carpentry right from the stone age to the modern days. Make sure to borrow the free audio guide from the counter (only available for foreigners) that has explanations in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Also ensure that you have enough time and energy to browse through the whole place! There are also interactive exhibits and books related to carpentry on display. Highly recommended!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dan B. 7 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    If you’re a woodworker, carpenter, architect, engineer, or if you just have interest any anything wood-related, this small museum is for you. Many of the displays are in Japanese, but the free audio guide is multilingual and very informative. I only had about 90 minutes to spend here, and one could enjoy a whole day, but I feel like I got my moneys worth. Obviously there are lots of tools on display, but there is so much information about the techniques and traditions of Japanese carpentry too. Loved it!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Keith A. 4 years ago on Google
    Unbelievably interesting and aesthetic. Rich history explained. Hands on examples of intricate traditional joins. Wood smells. Friendly staff (some English). Great multilingual free audio guide. Reasonably priced. This museum is a real gem.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 may ling y. 5 years ago on Google
    Amazing to learn about the various joints used instead of nails. Had fun trying to assemble or take apart the various types of joints. There is a pleasant scent of wood and touching some of them added another dimension to the experience. An eye opener into traditional Japanese architecture. The building itself is a piece of art!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angela M. 2 months ago on Google • 26 reviews New
    An underrated local museum with so much knowledge on Japanese wood working. I'm a designer -- and visiting this museum is such a breath of fresh air for my practice. So inspiring, and would totally recommend it to someone who is interested in furniture and design. We spent 3 hours just looking at videos of how the tools are used, playing around with the joinery and learning the history of woodworking. Wish we have something similar back home!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark L. 5 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    If you are into woodworking, definitely a worthwhile place to visit. If you're into Japanese woodworking and read Toshio Odate's book on Japanese woodworking tools, then this will be very worthwhile.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 אורי �. 11 months ago on Google
    Wonderful exhibitions, great videos and illustrations, and bunches of knowledge in the videos at the end. Also, there is a vocal guide in many languages, so you can walk and listen (I suggest bringing earphones with you) I had an amazing experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael C. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice little gem in Shin Kobe if you appreciate carpentry and wood work. Takenaka is one of the oldest construction company in the world dating back some 500 years. The museum show cased development of tool, building style, construction method, and wood. They have audio guide in multiple languages so very easy for me to understand the displayed items. There is a full size mock-up of a temple column where you have access to a mezzanine to view the bracket up close. A half completed tea house showing construction techniques. And my favorite is a set of various Japanese joineries which you can assemble and take a apart, and behind the set is a full size house frame so you know how and where different joineries are used in a typical house construction. Highly recommended if you are in architecture or construction trade.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mathew F. 4 years ago on Google
    An interesting but niche museum which is found near shin Kobe station. It looks mainly at how wood has been used through the ages and costs 500 yen to enter. Due to the nature of the exhibition, it would be even better if you could speak Japanese due to the large number of workshops offered
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brigitte Cheung (. 4 years ago on Google
    Fantastic place! very well organized wood craft tools in full range collected since ancient Japan. Very impressive! Whom is interested in wood craft even beginner or interested in the woodland management of mt. Rokko would be fully satisfied. Entrance Fee Yen500.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abigail 3 months ago on Google • 243 reviews New
    A small but very interesting museum. My husband is a woodworker and I learned a lot especially from their interactive pieces. It’s walkable from the train station and there is a small zen garden at the back.

  • 5/5 christian g. 1 year ago on Google
    Very good Museum, amazing collection of tools. Good ratio between reading information next to the exhibits and digital information displayed in form of short video clips on TV screens. Also the idea that some of the exhibits can be touched ads the sensory experience as well. All in all Great place to visit !!

  • 5/5 Steven T. 1 year ago on Google
    Great museum with multiple interactive installations and a very useful audio tour in multiple languages.

  • 5/5 Jesse E. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a wonderfully curated, world class museum with something for all ages to enjoy. Easy place to enjoy at least half a day, whether it be for woodworking, culture, or traditional interests—or just to enjoy being in a really well designed series of spaces.

  • 5/5 Merel C. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful museum! The tool collection is nice see and if you are lucky there is a special exhibition on the ground floor as well. A lot in in Japanese so make sure you get an English flyer and get your google translate app ready :)

  • 5/5 Achille M. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow wow wow ! 🤩 maybe im biased because i love woodworking tool already but it was so amazing! The fact that you could interact with lots of things was really really nice. For wood i think it's important to be able to feel it, see how it really works, what it looks like before and at the end! There was english translation and you could see video for almost everything. The masters work was an impressive part, as well as being able to see exemple of building and wood joints. I didnt do one but there is workshop with carpenter there too! No too big building, clean and of course really well made. I stopped to relax in the lounge at the end. Perfect to wind down!

  • 5/5 neha m. 4 years ago on Google
    Authentic carpenter tools and techniques. Amazing workshops conducted to teach people working with wood. A nice place in the basement has been converted into a wood workshop which houses about 20-25 people with workshop assistants skilled to use the wood machinery.

  • 5/5 Nguyên T. N. 10 months ago on Google
    Great place to understand craftman’s work. Interior decor is artistic and information is displayed in many languages. Insightful and nice to spend in Kobe

  • 5/5 Jonny S. 10 months ago on Google
    I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was fascinating and well worth the ¥700 entrance fee. The building itself is also amazing, and all the furniture and display cases are immaculate (as you might expect). I'm a carpenter myself, but I would consider it worth a visit even for people without carpentry knowledge or experience - seeing the exploded joints used in temple construction was eye opening.

  • 5/5 Ryoko 2 years ago on Google
    This is very unique and intersting museum in Kobe. This is all about carpentry tools, history and architectures. What I like about this museum is their ticket design which is done by Philippe Weisbecker. There was his temporary exhibition last year and it was very interesting to see how he percieved Japanese tools, architectures and daily items. :))

  • 5/5 JapanJedes J. 2 years ago on Google
    This Museum is a must for all that are interested in Woodworking, hand tools and Japanese traditional Crafts as well as woodbuilding history in Japan. It is well suited to come with young adults and children, as there are many interactive sections, where you can puzzle with wood joints, draw sawing plans, touch ancient tools and - of course - a lot of wood. Video touchscreens in English are also available. There is an English audio guide for the smart phone (heavily recommended, all texts on exhibits are Japanese only) which has 5-10 subsections per visiting area with about 2-6 minutes text. This really helps to manage your visiting time and focus on the areas you are most interested in. To listen to it all takes about 3 1/2 hours, but you can visit the museum in less time if you focus on specific interests. I had a great day, although I'm not a professional in the field. Will definitely come by again!

  • 5/5 Yann L. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing museum. Very instructive. Beautiful buildings and garden.


Call +81 78-242-0216 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair rental
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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