🗺️ Tono Monogatari Museumとおの物語の館

The Tono Story Museum is a cultural facility themed around "Tono Monogatari." "Tono Monogatari" is a classic work of Japanese folklore published in 1910. The book collects folk tales, beliefs, and annual events that have been passed down in the Tono region, narrated by local resident Sasaki Kizen and documented by Japanese folklorist Yanagita Kunio. It contains 119 short stories, including tales of yōkai such as kappa and Yama-uba, as well as rich themes like ghost stories and rituals. At the "Tono Story Museum," visitors can feel and experience the world described in "Tono Monogatari." There are three must-see highlights within the museum. The first is the "Folktale Vault," where modern technology such as video and sound effects allows visitors to experience the rural legends of the Tono area. This section also introduces mythological stories like Zashiki-warashi and Yuki-onna using video, collage, and illustrations. The second highlight is the "Kōzen Ryokan," where Yanagita Kunio stayed during his time in Tono, and the "Yanagita Kunio Exhibition Room," which has been relocated from the author's later residence. Here, visitors can learn about Yanagita Kunio's life and his significant contributions to the study of Japanese folklore. The final highlight is the theater performance area "Tonoza," where storytellers narrate ancient legends and mythological tales in the Tono dialect. Each session lasts about 20 minutes, with different stories told each day.

In the "Folktale Museum," you can immerse yourself in the world described in "Tono Monogatari." The "Old Yanagita Kunio's Retreat" is the house where Yanagita Kunio and his wife, Yanagita Takashi, spent their later years, originally located in Seijo, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. The museum also features a castle town museum and a gift shop called "Akabane Kura," where you can purchase various souvenirs. In the restaurant "Ito-ke," you can enjoy local dishes such as soba noodles from Tono.