Dive into Japan’s Folklore Heartland: Tono Municipal Museum & Monogatari Hall Adventure

Step into the World of Folklore! Discovering the Tono Municipal Museum & Monogatari Hall

Tono Municipal Museum

Nestled in the heart of Iwate Prefecture, the Tono Municipal Museum opened in 1980 as Japan's first museum dedicated to folklore studies.
Much of the museum’s exhibition revolves around the tales from Tono Monogatari, offering deep insights into the traditions, beliefs, and lifestyle of the Tono region.

The museum is located inside the same building as the public library, so the entrance is a bit tricky to find—but the exhibits are absolutely fascinating and totally worth the hunt!

Tono Monogatari no Yakata (Hall of Folktales)

Next up is the Tono Monogatari no Yakata, a dreamy space where folklore comes alive!
Here, you can visit the “Old Tale Hall” (Mukashibanashi-gura) where traditional stories are shared through video and audio, as well as the Kunio Yanagita Memorial House, relocated from the historic Kozen Ryokan where the famous folklorist once stayed.

The exhibits on Yanagita Kunio—his childhood, literary work, and contributions—are especially intriguing. The videos were so good that I’m now super tempted to read more of his writings!

Together, these two spots offer the perfect crash course into the magical, mysterious, and sometimes spooky folklore of Tono.
Whether you're a folklore fanatic or just looking for something truly unique in Japan—this is your place.✨