Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

The Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum is a technology and architecture museum in Kumochi-chō that houses one of the world's largest collections of handcrafted carpentry tools. The exhibition displays tools from Japan and the West across different time periods, allowing visitors to understand their differences and special qualities.

The museum was founded in 1984 by Takenaka Corporation and preserves centuries of woodworking traditions in Japan. The collection documents how tools and building techniques evolved over long periods.

The collection shows how Japanese craftspeople used their tools in daily work and how these shaped building methods across the country. Through the displayed objects, visitors can see how deeply craft and culture were connected in Japan.

The museum offers hands-on workshops where visitors can try traditional Japanese saws and planes under the guidance of experienced craftspeople. It is best to arrive during opening hours and allow time to participate in the interactive programs.

The museum regularly demonstrates the yari-ganna, a specialized spear plane that shows the precision of traditional Japanese woodworking. This rare tool is featured in live demonstrations, showing skills that are rarely practiced today.

Location: Kumochi-chō

Inception: 1984

Architects: Takenaka Corporation

Official opening: July 1, 1984

Address: 兵庫県神戸市中央区熊内町7-5-1

Phone: +81782420216

Website: https://dougukan.jp

GPS coordinates: 34.70680,135.19750

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54