Japan Spinning Top Museum, Toy museum in Minato-ku, Nagoya, Japan.
The Japan Spinning Top Museum is a toy museum in Minato-ku, Nagoya, housing an extensive collection of 20,000 spinning tops from Japan and about 60 other countries. The displays show traditional tops of different designs, sizes, and construction methods gathered over time.
The museum centers on traditional toys and household items from the Edo period (1603-1868), when spinning tops were widespread throughout Japan. These historical objects show how children in that distant past played and found entertainment.
The collection features koma, traditional Japanese spinning tops crafted from wood and bamboo, each showing regional techniques and materials. These handmade toys display different styles depending on where they were made and what resources were available locally.
The entrance is located at an easily accessible spot reachable on foot from the nearby train station. It helps to check opening hours before visiting, as smaller museums may have limited schedules.
Staff members demonstrate spinning techniques for visitors, offering hands-on experience with the traditional tops. Through these demonstrations, visitors can see how these toys actually work when set in motion.
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