What other travelers are saying about Honjo Waseda no Mori Museum
There are lots of HANIWA in Honjo city. Haniwa are clay figures in the shape of men, women or animals especially horses, hich were made for ritual use and buried with the dead as funerary objects druing the Kofun era, that is Tumulus period.
I visited on a Sunday during a three-day weekend in November. There was a large, free parking lot just past Honjo-Waseda Station. I was interested in haniwa, and after seeing other haniwa, such as the "Laughing Haniwa" and the "Three Little Girls," I came to see the "Laughing Haniwa." First of all, I was very grateful that this museum is free to visit, and the exhibits were wonderful and enjoyable to look at. Not only were the laughing haniwa, but many of the other exhibits were large and intricately crafted. The laughing haniwa, called "Shield-holding Human Figure Haniwa," is said to have originally been a threatening pose. They also handed out Honjo City manhole cards, which I filled out a questionnaire about. Apparently, they were the inspiration for Honjo City's "Hanipon."
The smiling haniwa are the best. Just looking at them makes you feel happy.
The "Shield-bearing Human Figure Haniwa" has a smiling expression, which is rare even nationwide, and this haniwa made its world debut when it was exhibited at the "Japanese Art Smiles" exhibition held in Paris from October to December 2012.
You can see all this pottery and haniwa for free, and get a glimpse into the lives of the people who were excavated from the objects. You can also get a free manhole card, although there are a limited number available.
It's a 3-minute walk from Honjo Waseda Station! I went there after 11am on a weekday! I was the only one there! Admission is free for this level of museum! It's worth charging 300 to 500 yen, and the haniwa figures are huge! I also got a manhole card!
The Honjo Waseda no Mori Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM). The museum is closed every Monday (or the following Tuesday if Monday falls on a national holiday) and during the New Year holiday period from December 28 to January 3. It's advisable to check their website before visiting as there may be occasional temporary closures for exhibitions or maintenance.
Admission to the museum is completely free. There are no entrance fees for either the permanent collection or special exhibitions, making it an accessible cultural destination for all visitors. This policy applies to both the archaeological exhibits featuring local history and the rotating displays from Waseda University's extensive collection.
From Tokyo, take the JR Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen to Honjo-Waseda Station (approximately 50-60 minutes from Tokyo or Ueno stations). The museum is just a 3-minute walk from the station's south exit. If driving, take the Kan-Etsu Expressway to Honjo Kodama Interchange, then it's about 5 minutes to the museum. Free parking is available for 248 vehicles. Alternatively, from JR Honjo Station on the Takasaki Line, take the Hanipon Shuttle bus (approximately 13 minutes).
The museum exhibits archaeological materials from the Paleolithic to modern periods, including rare haniwa figures and pottery. It also displays items from Waseda University's 5-million-piece collection, featuring 2 National Treasures, 7 Important Cultural Properties, and 8 Important Art Objects. Special exhibitions include collaborations with Waseda's Theatre Museum.
