Museums and galleries in Chubu Region

Museums and Galleries of Japan

The Chubu region features a diverse array of cultural institutions, from the futuristic 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, one of Asia’s leading paleontological centers. Historical preservation is a central theme at open-air sites like Meiji Mura and Hida Folk Village, which showcase relocated Edo and Meiji-era structures. Specialized collections highlight regional industries, including Nagoya’s SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, the Toyota Commemorative Museum, and dedicated galleries for Kanazawa’s traditional gold leaf and silk-dyeing crafts.

Museums and Galleries of Japan — Map

Dspark76 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Hida Folk Vilage

Hida Folk Village, Hida no Sato is an open-air museum of close to 30 old farmhouses illustrating the traditional architectural styles of…

ajari / CC BY 2.0

B

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is a museum of contemporary art located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.

Yamaguchi Yoshiaki / CC BY-SA 2.0

C

Kawaguchiko Music Forest

Though small in size, this amusement park is one of its kind. Focused on musical instruments, music will encompass you the second you enter.

D.Bellwood / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, also known as Toyota Tecno Museum, is a technology museum located in Nishi-ku…

Cfktj1596 / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Nagoya City Municipal Archives Museum

Nagoya City Archives is a historic building located in the city of Nagoya, central Japan.

Kiyok / CC-BY-SA-3.0

F

Aichi Arts Center

The centre consisting of a museum, a theatre and a library is the main venue for various musical and theatrical performances and attracts…

円周率３パーセント / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Furukawa Art Museum

Displays the private collection of Tamesaburo Furukawa, featuring modern Japanese paintings, ceramics, and calligraphy.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

H

Seisonkaku Villa

The Seisonkaku is a large Japanese villa in the city of Kanazawa, built in 1863 by Maeda Nariyasu, 13th daimyō of the Kaga clan, as a…

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

I

Shinise Kinenkan Museum

This building formerly housed a pharmacy that belonged to one of Kanazawa’s most respected families.

kcomiida / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Antarctic Museum and Former Research Ship Fuji

A retired icebreaker moored at the Port of Nagoya, now serving as a museum documenting Japan's Antarctic research expeditions.

K

Museum of ivory and stone sculptures jewelpia

Features approximately 270 intricate ivory carvings and large-scale stone sculptures, including a massive ivory treasure ship.

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Takayama Jin’ya

The Takayama Jin'ya is a surviving Edo period jin'ya which served as the Daikansho for Hida Province under the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan…

M

The Heritage Museum

An open-air museum in Shirakawa-go featuring 26 traditional gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses relocated to preserve local architectural history.

Gnsin / CC-BY-SA-3.0

N

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Mysterious beluga whales, easygoing sea turtles, cute penguins and so many more marine animals can be found in this public aquarium.

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

O

Yasue Gold Leaf Museum

This museum was built in order to preserve the art of gold leaf craft for the future generations.

P

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

The SCMaglev and Railway Park is a railway museum owned by the Central Japan Railway Company in Nagoya, Japan.

Morio / CC BY-SA 4.0

Q

Meiji Mura

Meiji-mura is an open-air architectural museum/theme park in Inuyama, near Nagoya in Aichi prefecture, Japan.

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

R

Nagamachi Yuzenkan

Visit this craft centre and see how the beautiful kimonos of this region are made.

Bariston / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Meiji-mura Museum

Meiji-mura is an open-air architectural museum/theme park in Inuyama, near Nagoya in Aichi prefecture, Japan.

Tripomatic User / CC-BY-SA

T

Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall (Yatai Kaikan)

Houses four of the ornate, multi-story floats used in the Takayama Autumn Festival, which are rotated throughout the year.

U

Takashi Akiyama Poster Museum Nagaoka Main Building (former Nagaoka Commercial Bank Miyauchi Branch)

Located in a former 1920s bank building, this gallery showcases the poster art and illustrations of graphic designer Takashi Akiyama.

コヲダ / CC BY-SA 4.0

V

Science Hills Komatsu

A science museum featuring interactive manufacturing exhibits, a 3D theater, and a distinctive wavy green roof.

W

MOA Museum of Art

The MOA Museum of Art is a private museum in the city of Atami, Japan.

Totti / CC BY-SA 4.0

X

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, located in Katsuyama, Fukui, Japan, is one of the leading dinosaur museums in Asia that is renowned…

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

Y

D. T. Suzuki Museum

This museum commemorates Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki - one of the Japanese philosophers who devoted his life to translating various books about…

dennis bloodnok (bloodnok) / CC BY 2.0

Z

Shirayama Hime Jinja Shrine Museum

Shirayamahime Jinja is a Shinto shrine in the Sannomiyamachi neighborhood of the city of Hakusan in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

ほぶ / Public domain

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, also known as IPMA, is the main art gallery of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

Saigawasakurabashi / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kanazawa Noh Art Museum

This museum preserves the tradition of Noh theatre - a form of classical Japanese musical drama.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Toyama Municipal Folk Museum

Located within the reconstructed keep of Toyama Castle, this museum documents the history of the Maeda clan and local domain.

Namazu-tron / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice

Dedicated to the scientist who created the first artificial snowflakes, featuring experimental demonstrations and architecture by Arata Isozaki.

Hide-sp / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Gifu City Museum of History

The Gifu City Museum of History is a city-supported history museum located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History

Ishikawa Prefectural History Museum is a prefectural museum in Kanazawa, Japan, dedicated to the history and culture of Ishikawa Prefecture.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Wada house

The largest gassho-zukuri farmhouse in Shirakawa-go, built in the mid-Edo period and designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Douggers / CC BY 2.5

Museum of History Annex - Eizō & Tōichi Katō Memorial Art Museum

The Eizō & Tōichi Katō Memorial Art Museum is a museum located in Gifu Park in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

Hide-sp / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu is art museum located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan

The Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan Museum displays many historical artifacts which belonged to the members of the Maeda Tosanokami family.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Gifu City Science Museum

The Gifu City Science Museum is a city-supported museum in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

アラツク / GFDL

Notojima Glass Art Museum

A contemporary architectural space on Noto Island displaying a permanent collection of glass art from international artists.

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kusakabe Heritage House

A former merchant residence built in 1879, showcasing the bold timber construction and craftsmanship typical of the Hida Takayama region.

baggio4ever / CC BY 3.0

Motorcar Museum of Japan

Houses over 500 historic vehicles from various countries, arranged by manufacturer and era in one of Japan's oldest motor museums.

Tomio344456 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sansei Ashikiyoshi

A living history museum recreating a mountain village where artisans demonstrate traditional papermaking, weaving, and blacksmithing.

Junpei Abe / CC BY 3.0

Kiunkaku

This building was first built by a businessman to be his private villa, but after the World War II, it became a ryokan - a Japanese style…

Opqr / CC BY-SA 3.0

Stone Museum Hakusekikan

A mineralogy museum featuring a diverse collection of gemstones and a large pyramid structure constructed from local granite.

Ippukucho / CC BY 3.0

Hamanako Orgel Museum

Located atop Mount Okusa, this museum displays antique music boxes and automated musical instruments with daily demonstrations.

Bariston / CC BY-SA 4.0

Mizkanミュージアム

A hands-on museum dedicated to vinegar production and food culture, located at the historical headquarters of the Mizkan company.

Bariston / CC BY-SA 4.0

新美南吉記念館

A literary museum built partially underground, dedicated to the life and works of children's author Niimi Nankichi.

663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0

Tateyama Caldera Sabo Museum

Focuses on the history of erosion control (sabo) and the unique natural environment of the Tateyama Caldera.

Asturio Cantabrio / CC BY-SA 4.0

古橋懐古館

Displays traditional art, historical documents, and folk tools collected by the Furuhashi family in the Inabu district.

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