Explore the Wonders of Toyota’s Industrial Heritage: A Guide to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology - Japan Travel Sights

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and are fascinated by industrial history, the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nagoya is a must-visit destination.

Located near Sako Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, this museum is housed in a series of retro-style brick buildings that once served as the experimental factory of Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of the Toyota Group.

Step Back in Time with Historical Architecture

As you approach the museum, the first thing you’ll notice is the historical significance of the buildings themselves.

Constructed in 1911, these structures were designed with a sawtooth roof to maximize natural light, a feature that was innovative for its time.

One of the standout buildings is the Toyota Group Building, erected in 1925, showcasing a robust concrete structure that exudes the architectural charm of the Taisho and Meiji eras.

Explore the Museum: Textile Machinery Pavilion and Automobile Pavilion

The museum is divided into two main sections: the Textile Machinery Pavilion and the Automobile Pavilion.

Guided tours are available, with multilingual support, including pamphlets and a free app in six different languages.

This ensures that visitors from around the world can fully appreciate the museum’s offerings.

Textile Machinery Pavilion
Upon entering the Textile Machinery Pavilion, you’ll be greeted by a symbolic exhibit of the circular loom invented by Sakichi Toyoda in 1906. This revolutionary machine, which weaves fabric through rotational circular motion, is a testament to Toyoda’s spirit of innovation.

The pavilion traces the history of textile machinery from the 19th century to the present, featuring notable inventions like the wooden hand loom from 1890 and the non-stop shuttle-change Toyoda automatic loom (Type G) from 1924.

This particular loom, which obtained over 50 patents, played a crucial role in advancing the global textile industry.

The exhibit also includes modern marvels like the water jet loom and air jet loom, demonstrating how high-speed technology is used to weave fabric using water and air, respectively.

Some of these machines are even operational, allowing visitors to witness the fascinating process of textile production up close.

Automobile Pavilion
The expansive Automobile Pavilion covers 7,900 square meters and offers a comprehensive look at the history of Toyota’s automobile production.

One of the highlights is a diorama that showcases Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi’s son, working on Japan’s first domestic car by attaching a small engine to a bicycle.

Another section replicates the materials testing room, complete with the machinery used for testing automotive steel.

The diorama depicting the casting of engine cylinder blocks and the crafting of car bodies by artisans is so lifelike that you can almost feel the heat and hear the sounds of metalwork.

Among the exhibits is the Toyoda AA Sedan, Toyota’s first passenger car introduced in 1936. The streamlined body is a beautiful example of early automotive design that continues to captivate visitors.

The pavilion also displays an array of cars and trucks manufactured from 1935 to the present, including cutaway models that reveal the intricate workings of their engines and structures. Don’t miss the G1 Truck and Toyoda AA Sedan replicas, which are occasionally driven during special events.

Before leaving, be sure to stop by the museum shop, where you can find unique souvenirs made from fabric produced during live demonstrations.

And if you have time, visit the nearby Noritake Garden, a museum dedicated to the history and craftsmanship of one of the world’s leading tableware manufacturers.

This will give you an even deeper appreciation of Aichi’s rich manufacturing culture.

Address: 4-1-35 Noritakeshinmachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Area: Nagoya Station Area

Phone Number: +81-52-551-6115

Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)

Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), New Year’s holidays

Admission Fees:

• Adults: ¥1,000
• Seniors (65+): ¥600 (ID required)
• University students: ¥500 (ID required)
• Junior high and high school students: ¥300
• Elementary school students: ¥200
• Preschool children: Free
• Visitors with a disability certificate or a specific medical expense recipient certificate, and one accompanying person: Free

Parking: Available (220 cars, 10 buses) Free of charge