20 Museums in Fukushima worth your time

See relocated traditional Japanese houses from the Edo and Meiji periods in a park setting.

What it is

• A cultural facility in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Established in 1999 within Fukushima Prefectural Iwaki Park.
• Dedicated to preserving and exhibiting local traditional architecture.

What to see

• Five relocated traditional folk houses from the Edo and Meiji periods.
• The Old Higuchi Family Residence, a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• Four other houses are Iwaki City Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Permanent and special exhibitions on local culture.
• Experiential learning opportunities.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed from December 29th to January 1st.

Address

福島県いわき市中央台 県営いわき公園内 Map

Official site

www.denshogo.jp

Read more about Iwaki City Living Tradition Village

Fukushima City Minka-en is an open-air museum preserving historic folk houses and tools.

What it is

• An open-air museum of traditional Japanese folk houses.
• Opened in August 1982.
• Exhibits buildings from mid-Edo to early Meiji periods.
• Covers approximately 11 hectares.

What to see

• Folk houses from northern Fukushima and Aizu regions.
• Folk tools, including winnowing machines.
• Former Sakuma Family Itakura, a city cultural property.
• Former Hirose-za, a national important cultural property.
• Former Abe Family Residence, a prefectural cultural property.
• Former Sanno Family Residence, a prefectural cultural property.

Getting there

• Located within Azuma Sports Park.

Official site

minka-en.com

Read more about Fukushima City Minka-en

Explore Iwaki's history from Kofun to Edo periods at this free archaeological museum.

What it is

• A museum in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Opened in 1997.
• Operated by the Iwaki City Education and Culture Foundation.
• Displays artifacts from Iwaki City.

What to see

• Permanent exhibitions of artifacts.
• Exhibits cover Kofun period to Edo period.
• First room displays Kofun period artifacts.
• Second room displays Paleolithic to Edo period artifacts.
• A sorting room allows viewing of artifact organization.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on the third Tuesday of each month.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Iwaki FC Park bus stop.

Address

福島県いわき市常磐藤原町手這50-1 Map

Official site

www.iwaki-koukoshiryoukan.jp

Read more about Iwaki City Archaeological Museum

Explore Japan's rich textile history through a vast collection of kimonos and related artifacts.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Japanese kimono culture.
• Houses a large and diverse kimono collection.
• Known as Japan Kimono Culture Museum since May 2009.

What to see

• Approximately 60 kimonos from a 3000-piece collection.
• Antique kimonos from Edo to early Showa periods.
• Rare kimonos, including Oiran Dochu-gi.
• Permanent and themed special exhibitions.
• Edo period cosmetic tools and hairpins.

When to go

• Special exhibitions change three times a year.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Bandai-Atami Station.
• 2-minute drive from Bandai-Atami Station.

Read more about Japan Kimono Culture Museum

A free center dedicated to wild birds, offering exhibits and birdwatching opportunities.

What it is

• A facility displaying materials about wild birds.
• Opened in 2002.
• Located in Gohyakuuchi Park.

What to see

• Exhibition room with free admission.
• 75 types of bird specimens are displayed.
• Telescopes for observing nearby wild birds.
• Wild bird information board stands nearby.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays, or the next day if Monday is a holiday.
• Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• About 20 minutes by bus from JR Koriyama Station.
• About 10 minutes by car from Koriyama-Minami Interchange.

Address

〒963-0122　福島県郡山市字山崎1-1 Map

Official site

www.bunka-manabi.or.jp

Read more about Wild Bird Study Center

Explore ancient history and folk culture of the Aizu region at this modern museum.

What it is

• A museum in Tadami Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Opened on July 22, 2022.
• Houses 2,333 items from the Aizu Tadami collection.
• Collection is a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.

What to see

• The Aizu Tadami collection of folk cultural properties.
• Museum building designed by Shimizu Kimio Research Institute.
• Adjacent Kubota Archaeological Site, a historic site.
• Kubota Site has restored pit dwellings and reburial tombs.
• Kubota Site covers Jomon to Yayoi periods.

When to go

• Open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Official site

www.town.tadami.lg.jp

Read more about Tadami Museum of Folklore and History

Explore Kaigyu Land Takasato, a unique facility built in a former school, dedicated to ancient marine fossils.

What it is

• A complex experience exchange facility opened in 2010.
• Named after the Aizutakasato-kaigyu, a new sirenian mammal species.
• The mammal's fossils were found in Takasato, Kitakata City.
• Built in a former elementary school building.

What to see

• First floor has an experiential learning zone.
• Second floor features an exchange and memorial zone.
• Fossils of whale, dugong, and shark teeth are displayed.
• Aizutakasato-kaigyu is a Fukushima natural monument.

When to go

• Fossil cleaning and excavation experiences are available.

Read more about Kaigyū Land Takasato

This museum showcases Fukushima's history and culture, offering insights into the region's past and present.

What it is

• Museum showcasing Fukushima Prefecture's history.
• Opened in 1986 with a sleek, spacious design.

What to see

• Artifacts, documents, models, and dioramas.
• Chronological exhibits on Fukushima's history, religion, and arts.
• Yayoi period daily life scenes, including rice cultivation.
• Boshin War section with samurai history and weapons.
• Traditional toys and colorful displays of regional festivals.
• Fossils and prehistoric creatures in natural history section.

Getting there

• Short walk from Tsuruga Castle.

Address

福島県会津若松市城東町1-25 Map

Official site

general-museum.fcs.ed.jp

Read more about Fukushima Museum

See 6000 antique kimonos, including rare Oiran Dochu-gi, at this museum in Atami.

What it is

• A museum in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Opened in October 2022.
• Operated by Sagami.
• Known for its large kimono collection.

What to see

• Approximately 6000 kimonos.
• Around 50 kimonos always on display.
• Antique kimonos from Edo to early Showa.
• Valuable Oiran Dochu-gi kimonos.
• Permanent and special exhibitions.

When to go

• Special exhibitions change three times a year.

Getting there

• 2-minute drive from Bandai-Atami Station.
• 15 parking spaces available.

Address

〒963-1309　福島県郡山市熱海町熱海5-211 Map

Official site

kimonomuseum.jp

Read more about Japan Kimono Museum

Modern art museum with diverse collections and award-winning architecture, worth visiting for art enthusiasts.

What it is

• Art museum established in 1984.
• Founded through a citizen movement.
• Dedicated to collecting contemporary art.
• Houses over 2,300 works.

What to see

• Award-winning architecture.
• Permanent exhibition rooms.
• Works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
• Special exhibitions from April to December.
• Citizen art exhibitions from January to March.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during the New Year period.
• Special exhibitions April to December.
• Citizen art exhibitions January to March.

Official site

www.city.iwaki.lg.jp

Read more about Iwaki City Art Museum

Explore Japan's only UFO museum, dedicated to local sightings and global alien phenomena.

What it is

• Rare exhibition hall and multi-purpose public facility.
• Opened in November 1992, renamed July 2008.
• Dedicated to UFO sightings in the Iino area.
• Known as UFO no Sato, with Senganmori as its symbol.

What to see

• Collects UFO-related books and materials.
• Stores about 3,000 UFO-related videos and photos.
• Two rooms with baths and Japanese-style rooms.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from the UFO no Sato bus stop.

Official site

ufonosato.com

Read more about Iino UFO Museum

See British, Japanese, and local art at this modern museum in Koriyama.

What it is

• A museum of art in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Opened to the public in 1992.
• Designed by Takahiko Yanagisawa + TAK Architects and Urban Planners.

What to see

• British art, including works by J.M.W. Turner.
• Modern Japanese art, including works by Ryusei Kishida.
• Art by artists associated with Koriyama, like Sesson.
• Five to six special and international exhibitions annually.

When to go

• Open 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.city.koriyama.fukushima.jp

Read more about Kōriyama City Museum of Art

Explore early Meiji-era buildings and learn about Kōriyama's reclamation history.

What it is

• An open-air museum in Kōriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Built in 1874 as a district office, later an imperial lodging.
• Exhibits materials on Asaka reclamation and Asaka Canal.
• A Fukushima Prefecture Designated Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• Four buildings from the early Meiji period.
• The original Kaiseikan building.
• Former Tateiwa Ichiro Residence, an official residence.
• Former Oyama Residence, a typical settler's house.
• Former Tsubouchi Residence, a high-grade standard house.

Official site

www.bunka-manabi.or.jp

Read more about Kōriyama City Kaiseikan

Horuru is a museum in Iwaki City, Fukushima, showcasing local fossils and coal mining history.

What it is

• A museum in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Opened in 1984, reopened in 2010 and 2024.
• Dedicated to fossil and coal mining history.
• Its nickname is Horuru.

What to see

• Fossil and coal exhibition rooms.
• A Futabasaurus skeleton and Iwaki Whale.
• A simulated mine shaft.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on the third Tuesday of each month.
• Closed on January 1st.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Yumoto Station.

Official site

www.sekitankasekikan.or.jp

Read more about Iwakishi Sekitan Kasekikan

Explore ancient burial mounds and excavated artifacts at this significant historic park.

What it is

• A city park in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Opened on April 4, 2009.
• Nationally designated historic site.
• Features the Oyasuba Kofun Group No. 1 and No. 2.

What to see

• Oyasuba Kofun Group No. 1, largest in Abukuma River basin.
• Largest square-front, square-back tomb in Tohoku region.
• Guidance facility displays excavated artifacts.
• Adventure and experience areas.

When to go

• Guidance facility closed on Mondays and New Year holidays.

Official site

www.bunka-manabi.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Ōyasuba Historic Park

Explore Okuaizu Museum for a deep dive into local history and traditional life.

What it is

• Opened in 1994 as a local history and folklore museum.
• Became a registered museum in 2004.
• Renamed Okuaizu Museum in 2009.

What to see

• One house designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.
• Approximately 3,000 items displayed in the exhibition hall.
• Exhibits tools for mountain work, agriculture, and fishing.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Aizu-Yamamura-Dojo Station.

Official site

www.town.minamiaizu.lg.jp

Read more about Okuaizu Museum

See artifacts from a prominent family's businesses, including historic postal items and lacquerware.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to the Hosoi family's history.
• Exhibits items from their sake brewing, lacquerware, and finance businesses.
• The family opened a post office in 1872.
• Converted from a Hosoi family storehouse.

What to see

• Lacquerware, some designated as important cultural property.
• Postal materials, some designated as important folk cultural properties.
• The main house, built in 1861.
• The Buddhist chapel, built in 1840.
• Eight buildings of the Hosoi residence.

Read more about Hosoike Museum

This open-air museum shows the daily life of a high-ranking samurai family from the late 19th century.

What it is

• Open-air museum about a high-ranking samurai family.
• Reconstructed residence of Saigo Tanomo, chief advisor to Aizu clan.

What to see

• Samurai residence with 38 rooms.
• Artifacts and dioramas of daily life.
• Diorama of Saigo family women's tragic scene.
• Workshops: archery, folk craft painting, glass etching.
• Café serving regional dishes.
• Gift shop.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Tsuruga Castle.
• 15-minute walk from Oyakuen Garden.

Address

〒965-0813 福島県会津若松市東山町大字石山字院内1 Map

Official site

bukeyashiki.com

Read more about Aizu Bukeyashiki

This art museum, co-located with a library, houses over 1,600 works.

What it is

• A prefectural art museum in Fukushima City.
• Opened in July 1984.
• Co-located with the Fukushima Prefectural Library.
• Designed by Otaka Architectural Design Office.

What to see

• Over 1,600 works of art.
• Collection includes paintings, prints, sculptures, and crafts.
• Features works by Shoko Sekine.
• Features works by Kiyoshi Saito.
• Listed among the 100 Public Buildings.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Bijutsukantoshokan-mae Station.

Official site

art-museum.fcs.ed.jp

Read more about Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art

Explore Soma's history from ancient to modern times at this affordable museum.

What it is

• A history museum in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Houses historical materials from Soma City.
• Opened on the same site as Soma City Hall.

What to see

• Exhibits from primitive times to modern times.
• Second floor is the main exhibition room.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 16:00.
• Closed Mondays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Soma Station on the JR Joban Line.
• 6-minute drive from Soma IC.

Official site

www.city.soma.fukushima.jp

Read more about Sōma City Museum of Historical Materials