Naruko Onsen is the oldest production area of kokeshi dolls. The Japan Kokeshi Museum was opened as a result of the donation of the collection of Kaname Fukazawa, a poet and writer of children’s stories, and the continued gifts of kokeshi dolls dedicated to the Kokeshi Festival by kokeshi craftsmen from all over Japan.
Kokeshi dolls from all over the Tohoku region are on display, and there is also a demonstration corner where visitors can watch craftspeople demonstrate how to make kokeshi dolls, including woodworking and rokuro kaki-e (painting), and a painting corner where visitors can make their own original kokeshi doll.
Why don’t you paint your own unique kokeshi doll? The painted kokeshi dolls are polished with wax to shine, and you can take them home on the same day.
In front of the Kokeshiki-kan, there is a huge kokeshi doll hand-painted by a craftsman. It would be nice to take a commemorative photo on the way home.
April-November 8:30-17:00
December 9:00-16:00
Closed during winter months: January - March
Adults 400 yen
High school students: 160 yen
Junior high school students 160 yen
Elementary school students: 120 yen
Free 50 cars
5 minutes by cab from Naruko Onsen Station on the Rikuu Higashi Line
Approximately 40 minutes from Furukawa IC on Tohoku Expressway