Hyogo · Permanent cultural facility
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
Near Shin-Kobe Station, explore the tools and skills behind Japanese timber architecture, from monumental temple joinery to the delicate structure of a tea room.
What to see
- Around 1,000 selected carpentry tools and exhibits about shaping and joining wood.
- A full-size model of columns and bracket work from Toshodaiji’s main hall.
- An exposed-structure tea-room model and exhibits inviting exploration of wood by touch and scent.
JR or Kobe subway Shin-Kobe Station → your visit
- Walk about 3 minutes from JR Shin-Kobe’s central exit or subway north exit 2.
Closures & important conditions
Closed Mondays, or the next weekday when Monday is a public holiday. Closed December 26, 2026–January 4, 2027 for New Year. Check separately for exhibition-change or maintenance closures.
- The tea-room model in the displays is separate from access or tea service at the real Ittekian tea house, which is not normally open.
- An October 17, 2026 notice reports an outage affecting translated web pages. If needed, translate the Japanese pages in your browser; the notice does not say that on-site audio guides are suspended.
Plan your visit
Checked: 2026-11-06 · a facility guide, not a dated festival listing
Hours & admission arrangements
09:30–16:30; last admission 16:00.
Adults ¥1,000; university/senior high students and ages 65+ ¥700; junior high and younger free, using the 2026 revised prices. Ordinary individual visits are distinct from separately booked workshops. Groups of 20+ need advance application.
- Address: 7-5-1 Kumochi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. A typical visit is about 1.5–2 hours.
- Free smartphone audio is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, French and German; bring headphones.
- English, Chinese and Korean leaflets are available. Groups needing live foreign-language interpretation should arrange an accompanying interpreter.
- Ramps, elevators and a B1 multipurpose toilet are provided. A visitor with accepted disability documentation and one caregiver enter free.
What still needs checking
- Visit-date events and workshop spaces, and each workshop’s age/cancellation conditions.
Official sources & photographs
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Access to individual areas, exhibits and activities can vary by day.
Photo pending · View official photos ↗
Announced exhibitions
Periods can include closed days. Open each exhibition for its own conditions.
- Where Trees Live Again: George Nakashima and the Craftspeople · 2026-10-03 – 2026-12-13