What other travelers are saying about Saitama City Iwatsuki Doll Museum
A great museum to explore the artistry of Japanese dolls. The collection is big & beautifully preserved.
The staff were welcoming, and one member was fluent in English. While much of the information is translated, a photo-translation app is helpful for the rest.
I highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in Japanese culture or traditional dolls.
The museum displays hina dolls for Girls' Day, gogatsu dolls for Boys' Day, and decorative dolls from various historical periods. The collection includes both antique pieces and contemporary works by local artisans.
Yes, artisans demonstrate traditional doll-making techniques including body construction, face painting, and costume design. Demonstration schedules vary, so check availability before visiting.
March during Hinamatsuri features the largest seasonal displays of hina dolls. Special exhibitions rotate throughout the year. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
Plan for one to two hours to view the permanent collection, special exhibitions, demonstrations, and museum shop.
Most exhibition labels and materials are in Japanese with limited English signage. Translation apps are recommended for non-Japanese speakers.
This relatively new facility opened on Saturday, February 22, 2020 (Reiwa 2). I'm not sure if the numerous "2"s in the number 2 have any deep connection to Iwatsuki or Saitama, but perhaps the opening date was chosen in reference to the "ni" in "ningyo" (doll).
The building's site is the former site of Iwatsuki City Hall, making it the heart of Iwatsuki, so to speak. However, walking around the area, there are few people around, and a few shuttered stores. It's a completely lifeless place, and it's more than just disappointing; it's worrying. While it's fine to look forward to the Saitama Rapid Railway, which may or may not be extended, I think that if the town could effectively utilize its unique resources—its cultural heritage post town and traditional Hina dolls—to effectively promote itself both domestically and internationally, it could become a popular day trip destination from Tokyo and regain its former vitality.
These days, the word "hinadan" carries a negative image of being a place where entertainers who can't stand up sit, and many people think that's what "hinadan" is.
Wrong! "Hinadan" is a place where gorgeous, magnificent hina dolls are enshrined. This is not the time to proudly display the hina dolls exhibited at the Osaka Expo in a doll museum! After the Expo, the dolls should be exhibited around the world, promoting Iwatsuki as "the town of dolls." Ultimately, our goal should be for them to be stolen from the Louvre and the news to spread around the world!
Don't be pessimistic; Iwatsuki isn't the only place lacking vitality. Konosu-juku on the Nakasendo Road, famous for its hina dolls, and Koshigaya-juku on the Nikko Road (Oshu Road) are in the same situation. It would be great if these post towns and the towns that thrived on hina dolls could team up to once again raise magnificent hina dolls.
It looks quite spacious from the parking lot, but the exhibits are only on three floors and are not that big, with more staff than visitors.
The videos are well-made and convey the amazing craftsmanship of the doll-makers. There is a lot to enjoy, with a variety of popular items from all over the world and throughout history on display.
I visited the museum after seeing it on NHK news. It was smaller than I expected, but the exhibits were wonderful. I really got a feel for the work of a Hina doll head maker, which is what Gojo-kun from "Dress-Up Dolls in Love" aspires to be.
