What other travelers are saying about Towel Museum
The paid area is actually decent if you like Moomin, 2nd floor has a pretty good local snacks and drinks souvenir shop. Otherwise there’s only a few fabric-based items that are actually from Imabari, most items, especially the character goods, are made in China or Vietnam. Quality looks well made, but if you are looking for local goods, please check all the tags before purchasing.
At first, I thought, “How fun can a towel museum actually be?”
But this museum really surprised us! It was much bigger than I expected and there was so much to see. The shop alone is huge, filled with lots of fun items mostly towel-related products, but also plenty of plushies and character goods.
Overall, the museum was far more enjoyable and interesting than I imagined. We had a great time!
Enjoyed my time here. The museum itself is very interesting 🤔 however getting there and back to imabari is tricky or easy and expensive 🫰🏻
There is no bus that goes near it so you either have to drive or bike. I took taxi and that was very expressive.
Came here specifically to buy towels. They have a wide variety of cute licensed towels, and even plush toys. The museum itself is beautifully designed, with a high-quality and refined atmosphere. If you take a closer look, you might even find that some well-known brand towels are actually supplied by them!
The Towel Museum is the world's first and only museum dedicated entirely to towels. It showcases Imabari's towel-making heritage, a city responsible for producing approximately 60% of Japan's domestic towels. The museum combines industrial history with artistic displays, featuring towel art installations and demonstrations of traditional weaving techniques that highlight why Imabari towels are considered among the finest in the world.
Yes, the museum features an extensive gift shop offering authentic Imabari towels in various designs, colors, sizes, and price ranges. This is one of the best places to purchase genuine Imabari towels directly from the source region, and staff can explain the quality differences between various products to help visitors make informed purchases.
The museum is accessible via local bus from Imabari Station, with the journey taking approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, visitors can take a taxi or rent a car. The museum provides parking facilities for those driving, which is convenient for travelers exploring the Shimanami Kaido area.
The museum offers interactive displays where visitors can touch and compare different towel qualities to understand what distinguishes Imabari towels. Workshops teaching basic weaving techniques are occasionally available, though these may require advance booking. It's advisable to check the museum's schedule before visiting if you're interested in participating in hands-on activities.
Admission to the Towel Museum is approximately 800 yen for adults. Reduced rates are available for children and senior citizens. The ticket provides access to all exhibition areas, interactive displays, and towel art installations throughout the museum.
