This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
The Mt. Chokai Wooden Toy Museum opened in Yurihonjo city in July 2018. It is a completely renovated wooden school building of the former Ayukawa Elementary School, which is a registered tangible cultural property of the country
The museum is located along the Yuri Kogen Railway, a line beloved by train enthusiasts. As a result, a toy train in collaboration with the museum began operating at the same time as the museum opened
This time, we will introduce the Wooden Toy Museum, a new popular spot in Akita Prefecture, and the toy train that provides access to it
Children's laughter revives at abandoned school
The general image of an art museum is a quiet space where you can look around calmly, but the Wooden Toy Museum is filled with things that children can play with energetically
Of course, adults can also enjoy playing here and rediscover their childhood. This closed school has become an irreplaceable place where the voices of children can be heard again
The school itself
The toy museum is very large, as it was renovated from a school. It consists of three former school buildings (Buildings A to C) and the former gymnasium (Building D)
Buildings A and D are museum zones and require an admission fee. Buildings B and C are public zones and are open to the public free of charge
Popular spots in the former gymnasium (Building D)
The most popular area in Building D is the "Forest Play Area." It's an interesting space with tree trunks standing all over the room. Children and adults alike can run around freely and play hide-and-seek
There is a secret treasure hidden inside the trunk, which is fun to search for
There's a cute tree caterpillar deep in the hole
Some trunks also have small holes that are hard to see when you look closely, but you can see them by inserting a wooden stick with a magnet
At the end of the stick is a wooden caterpillar. It would be gross if it were real, but it's cute on wood. There are quite a lot of them, so it's fun
"Critical Tower"
In the center of the Forest Play Area is the landmark Chokai Tower, which was built in the same style as the famous Sazaedo, a tourist spot in Fukushima Prefecture
The uphill and downhill sections do not intersect and are not visible to each other. The downhill section in particular is a slide, and at the bottom there is a pool of acorns. Some people worry that the acorn pool will hurt them because it has sharp edges
However, each one is carefully polished by a craftsman. There are 5,000 acorns, and they are made from several different types of wood. They all seem to be swimming happily
"Playroom"
Beyond the Forest Play Area are 26 play rooms, each with its own theme, such as the Toy Zoo
There are so many toys in each room that if you go around all 26 of them, it will take you a whole day
The charm of the Wooden Toy Museum
Yurihonjo City spent approximately 240 million yen to renovate the former Ayukawa Elementary School. Everything from the interior to the toys used here is made from cedar and cypress from Akita Prefecture
There are a total of 800 wooden toys. Balance beams from the gymnasium are used as benches, and children's books such as the "Complete Collection of World Literature for Boys and Girls" from the library are displayed on the shelves
Building A in particular has the school's own corridors running through it, and the classrooms, staff room, broadcasting room, and health room are all still in use, making you feel like you've traveled back in time
Savor local flavors at a kitchen cafe
Many people enjoy lunch in the cozy space of Akita cedar, which has continued to shine for 60 years. There is also a kitchen cafe with a friendly atmosphere attached to the restaurant
The most popular item here is the cutely named "Omusubi Kororin Set," which comes with a rice ball and either "Honjo Udon" or "Yurine Udon."
The rice balls are made with local rice cooked in a traditional Japanese hearth, and the udon noodles are made by local mothers working together. This is truly a place where you can enjoy local cuisine
Since it is eaten at school, many adults are reminded of school lunches. Meals at the cafe start at 11:00 and the last order is at 13:45, so if you miss lunch, you won't be able to eat, so be careful
Toy trains are very popular
As the Wooden Toy Museum becomes more popular, the Yuri Kogen Railway is also attracting more attention. We recommend taking this train to the nearest station, Ayukawa
The Yuri Kogen Railway, which is a line surrounded by Mt. Chokai, has always been loved by many people for its charming, heartwarming atmosphere. In particular, since the Toy Museum was built, the Chokai Toy Train "Nakayoshi Koyoshi" has been running in conjunction with the museum since June 2018
A train that's like a toy box
This has spurred its popularity. The contrast of white, orange, and gold makes the train body distinctive, and since it is not the long carriages you see in Tokyo, it is very compact and cute, just like a toy box
The interior of the train recreates the atmosphere of a wooden toy museum, giving the impression of being made of building blocks. Everything, from the chairs and tables in the panoramic seats to the small play area, is made of wood
An extraordinary experience of playing in places where you can't normally play
Another feature is that there are wooden toys and a mini ball pool. Both adults and children can play on the train. Generally, trains are thought of as places where you can't play, so this is a refreshing change of pace
The wood used inside the car is mostly solid wood, using the original shape of the log, which gives it a very gentle atmosphere and natural texture that is pleasing to the eye
Summary of the Wooden Toy Museum
It is very rare to find a museum that focuses on wooden toys, and it offers a wealth of content that will keep you entertained for the whole day
In particular, the museum is making use of the former classroom to hold a "make your own chopsticks" workshop, and the museum's efforts to make its visitors enjoyable are clearly evident
Be sure to take the toy train to the school and enjoy a gentle and fun day surrounded by the warmth of wood and the timeless scenery of the school
Wooden Toy Museum <Information>
Name: Mt. Chokai Wooden Toy Museum
Address: 65-1 Narusedai, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas. I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.
