Tono's Story House

Tono's Story House stands as a cultural museum and storytelling center dedicated to preserving the rich folklore tradition of Tono City in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The facility serves as the primary hub for experiencing the legendary tales collected in "Tono Monogatari" (The Legends of Tono), written by folklorist Kunio Yanagita in 1910. This seminal work documented over 100 local folk tales featuring mystical creatures, spirits, and supernatural encounters that have shaped Japanese folklore studies.

The museum showcases the cultural significance of Tono as Japan's premier destination for folk tales and rural storytelling traditions. Visitors can explore the connection between the region's mountainous landscape and its rich mythology, including stories of kappa (water spirits), zashiki-warashi (house spirits), and yamabito (mountain people). The facility preserves these oral traditions through interactive exhibits and maintains the cultural identity of this historically agricultural region.

Key visitor experiences include guided storytelling sessions conducted in both Japanese and English, interactive exhibits featuring digital recreations of famous Tono legends, and displays of traditional farming tools and household items from the Meiji period. The museum offers hands-on workshops for traditional crafts such as straw weaving and folk toy making. A dedicated theater space presents regular performances of local legends using traditional Japanese storytelling techniques.

The museum operates year-round with varying seasonal programming. Spring and summer feature outdoor storytelling events in the adjacent traditional gardens, while autumn coincides with local harvest festivals that incorporate folklore themes. Winter programs focus on indoor exhibitions and craft workshops, taking advantage of the region's snowy landscape that inspired many winter-themed legends.

Tono's Story House is located approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Tono Station on the Kamaishi Line. Local buses connect the station to the museum with services running every 30 minutes during peak hours. The facility is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily except Mondays and New Year holidays. Adult admission costs ¥500, while children under 12 enter for ¥200. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more visitors. Parking is free and can accommodate 50 vehicles.