Karuizawa Erz Toy Museum, Toy museum in Nagakura, Japan.
The Karuizawa Erz Toy Museum is a toy museum in Nagakura that displays educational wooden toys and crafts from the Erzgebirge region of Germany. The collection is organized across multiple exhibition spaces where visitors can explore different styles of traditional German toy-making.
The museum opened in April 1998 and preserves a collection of traditional toys manufactured by German artisans for over three centuries. These handmade toys represent a long production tradition that is documented in this collection.
The museum shop sells authentic German handcrafted items, and a picture book section features Western children's literature. This selection reflects how traditional German craftsmanship is valued in Japan.
The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM between March and November, and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM during December and January. It is helpful to check visiting hours in advance since opening times vary with the seasons.
The building was designed by Ryue Nishizawa and integrates into the Forest of Muse, creating a seamless connection between nature and architecture. This design approach makes visiting an experience that ties the museum to its surrounding natural environment.
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