About the Museum
The Tokushima Wooden Toy Museum opened on October 24, 2021, as the first prefectural toy museum in Japan operated by a prefectural government. Tokushima Prefecture is also home to the Naka Town Mountain Toy Museum, which opened in 2023.
Wood from different parts of Tokushima is used throughout the museum, creating a welcoming environment filled with the natural textures and scents of timber. Exhibits introduce visitors to the prefecture’s forestry industry, traditional Awa puppet theater, and the colorful Yusanbako, a traditional wooden box once used by children on outings.
A Museum for Every Generation
With its emphasis on mokuiku, or wood education, the museum is a large-scale interactive facility where visitors can learn about wood through play. Its guiding concept is that people from birth to 100 years old should be able to enjoy the experience together. Children can explore and create, while adults can rediscover the appeal of natural materials and traditional craftsmanship.
Volunteer guides known as “Toy Curators” help visitors discover the pleasures of playing with wooden toys and explain their features. Their friendly guidance contributes to the museum’s warm, inclusive atmosphere, welcoming visitors regardless of age or nationality.
Learning About Forests and Wood
The museum makes use of Tokushima’s abundant forest resources to introduce the relationship between people, trees, and the natural environment. Displays inspired by the prefecture’s rural landscapes help visitors understand forestry, the importance of sustainable timber use, and the many ways wood contributes to everyday life.
Rather than relying solely on written explanations, the museum encourages learning through direct experience. By touching, building, and playing with wooden objects, visitors can appreciate the versatility of wood and its role in regional culture.
Celebrating Tokushima’s Traditional Culture
Wood has long played an important role in Tokushima’s traditional arts and crafts. The museum highlights this heritage through exhibits and spaces inspired by Awa puppet theater, the Yusanbako, and other aspects of local culture. These displays allow visitors to experience Tokushima’s traditions in an approachable, interactive way while discovering the craftsmanship behind them.
Play as a Form of Art and Learning
The museum embraces the idea that toys are among the first forms of art children encounter. Its play areas encourage children to use their imaginations, experiment freely, and develop creativity through hands-on activities. Wooden toys offer opportunities to explore shapes, textures, balance, and construction while enjoying the simple pleasure of play.
Explore the Museum’s Main Areas
Good Toy Plaza
Good Toy Plaza features carefully selected toys chosen by toy consultants from across Japan. The collection includes toys from around the world, offering a variety of experiences for visitors with different interests and backgrounds. It is an excellent place to discover imaginative designs and the many ways toys can encourage learning and creativity.
Gokko Forest
Gokko Forest is one of the museum’s largest and most open play areas. It combines wooden play equipment with imaginative activities, including pretend harvesting using wooden mushrooms and vegetables inspired by Tokushima’s agricultural and forestry products. Children can enjoy active play while exploring ideas connected with nature and local food production.
Udatsu Town
Udatsu Town recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese streetscape, with small wooden buildings inspired by historic townhouses. The area offers analog games and board games, encouraging visitors to play together and enjoy activities that do not rely on digital screens. Its traditional architectural design also introduces visitors to an important element of Japan’s historic townscape.
Satoyama Plaza
Satoyama Plaza features a large installation inspired by Mount Bizan, a well-known landmark in Tokushima City. The surrounding wooden environment draws inspiration from the Yoshino River, Shikoku’s largest river, and the terraced rice fields of Kashihara. Through this imaginative landscape, visitors can experience the scenery of Tokushima’s countryside while playing.
Baby Wood Education Plaza
This dedicated area is reserved for children under three years old and their guardians. The spacious, comfortable environment allows babies and toddlers to crawl, pull themselves up, and explore safely. Toys and play equipment are selected with young children’s developmental stages in mind, giving families a place to relax and enjoy their visit at their own pace.
Museum Shop: DEPOT
The museum’s shop, Wooden Toys DEPOT, opens on weekends and public holidays. It sells a selection of toys similar to those found in the play areas, along with traditional wooden toys and board games. With approximately 200 types of toys available, the shop offers plenty of choices for visitors looking for an educational souvenir or a gift inspired by Japanese craftsmanship.
Access
The Tokushima Wooden Toy Museum is located within Asutamu Land Tokushima in Itano Town. Approximate travel times are as follows:
From Itano Interchange on the Takamatsu Expressway: about 10 minutes by car.
From Itano Interchange on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway: about 10 minutes by car.
From Aizumi Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway: about 15 minutes by car.
From JR Itano Station: about 10 minutes by car.
A Fun and Meaningful Visit for Families
The Tokushima Wooden Toy Museum combines hands-on play with an introduction to the region’s forests, craftsmanship, and traditional culture. From imaginative wooden play areas and international toy collections to exhibits inspired by Tokushima’s rural landscapes, the museum offers a memorable experience for children and adults alike.
Located within Asutamu Land Tokushima, it is an excellent destination for families exploring northern Tokushima Prefecture. Whether you want to let children play, learn about local traditions, or simply appreciate the warmth and beauty of wood, the museum offers an enjoyable way to connect with the region.