Takeo Takei’s World: ILF Douga Museum of Art
Born and raised in Okaya, Takeo Takei’s aim was to create “pictures that touched the hearts of children.” He coined the term “doga” to describe his pictures. Our exhibitions focus on his doga, woodblock prints, and published works. “Irufu,” is an inversion of the Japanese word for old, and so indicates something new. Come see this inspiring retro world from the early 20th century. We also have a large number of works on display by Maurice Sendak, the famous author loved by children around the world. About 2000 picture books can be browsed free of charge in the first floor “Harappa” reading / play area.
Hours 10:00 AM – 19:00 PM
Closed Wednesdays (except public holidays), December 29 – January 3,and occasionally other days
Admission Fee
| Type | individual | Group (10 or more) |
| Adult | 510 yen | 410 yen |
| Junior High / High School Students | 310 yen | 210 yen |
| Elementary School Students | 160 yen | 110 yen |
*Free entry for elementary and junior high school students from Suwa’s six districts, as well as high school students residing or attending school in Okaya.
Address, Phone Number, Inquiries, Access Map
Chuo-cho 2-2-1, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0027
Phone：+81-266-24-3319 Fax：+81-266-21-1620
Former Hayashi Residence (National Important Cultural Property)
This is the former residence of Kunizo Hayashi of a first generation area silk making family. He developed the Ichiyamaka-hayashi Silk Mill and laid the foundation for the growth of Okaya’s silk industry. The main building has attractive traditional architecture, with Western techniques adopted for the separate house and tea room, both part of the same building. You will enjoy the stately, ornate atmosphere. The walls of the Japanese room are papered in a Western decorative style with kinkarakawa-gami wall paper (Japanese leather paper). This and the craftsmanship that went into the transoms are a must see.
Hours 9:00 AM – 16:30 PM (16:00 PM December – February)
Closed Wednesdays, the day after public holidays, December 29 – January 3
Admission Fee
| Type | individual | Group (10 or more) |
| Adults (high school and up) | 580 yen | 370 yen |
| Kids (elementary and junior high school) | 270 yen | 110 yen |
*Free entry for elementary and junior high school students from Suwa’s six districts, as well as high school students residing or attending school in Okaya.
*For groups, please reserve at least a week in advance of your intended visit.
Address, Phone Number, Access Map
Okura-cho 2-20, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0043
Phone：+81-266-22-2330
Inquiries
Okaya Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Department, Cultural Properties Administrator
Chuo-cho 1-9-8 Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0027 (in the Okaya Art and Archaeology Museum)
TEL：+81-266-22-5856(direct line） FAX：+81-266-22-5854
Former Watanabe Residence (Nagano Prefectural Treasure)
“Sankyo zamurai” were samurai who lived in the countryside rather than near the castle. This is the home of one such family that served the Takashima aristocracy for generations. Built around the middle of the 18th century, it was rebuilt a hundred years later. While it’s wide dirt floor layout is similar to that of a farmhouse, the tatami straw mat flooring of the inner rooms are more typical of samurai houses. The Watanabe clan also gave rise to three cabinet ministers starting in the late 1800s. Important related documents are collected and open to viewing at the nearby Hometown Museum (Kyodo-gakushu-kan).
Hours 10:00 AM – 16:00 PM
Closed November 4 – March 19 (Closed for winter)
March 20 – November 3 Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays (except for holidays and substitute holidays)
Admission Fee
| Type | Individual | Group (10 or more) |
| Adults (high school and up) | 320 yen | 220 yen |
| Kids (elementary and junior high school) | 160 yen | 110 yen |
*Free entry for elementary and junior high school students from Suwa’s six districts, as well as high school students residing or attending school in Okaya.
*For groups, please reserve at least a week in advance of your intended visit.
Address Former Watanabe Residence Osachi shibamiya 3-8-40, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0083
Access Map
Reception Please see the front desk at the Hometown Museum (Kyodo-gakushu-kan).
Address Hometown Museum (Kyodo-gakushu-kan) Osachi shibamiya 3-9-3, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0083
Access Map
Inquiries
Okaya Board of Education Lifelong Learning Department, Cultural Properties Administrator, Chuo-cho 1-9-8 Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0027 (in the Okaya Art and Archaeology Museum)
TEL：+81-266-22-5856(direct line) FAX：+81-266-22-5854
Hometown Museum (Kyodo-gakushu-kan) Osachi shibamiya 3-9-3, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0083
TEL/FAX：+81-266-26-7545
Okaya Art and Archaeology Museum
The Okaya Art and Archaeology Museum conveys the city’s art and culture. It provides an exhibition room for the work of local residents and throughout the year holds a variety of special events and exhibits. An archaeological exhibition hall displays artifacts excavated from various sites around the Okaya area, including the “Mask Handled Deep Earthenware Pot” (from the local Kaido Site, designated an “Important Cultural Property”). A gallery / project exhibition room and cultural exchange space are also available for resident use.
Hours 10:00 AM – 15:00 PM
Closed Wednesdays, the day after public holidays, December 29 – January 3
Admission Fee
| Type | Individual | Group (10 or more) |
| Adults (for permanent exhibits) | 370 yen | 260 yen |
| Kids (for permanent exhibits) | 160yen | 110yen |
*Free entry for elementary and junior high school students from Suwa’s six districts, as well as high school students residing or attending school in Okaya.
*A separate fee applies to special exhibits
Address Chuo-cho 1-9-8, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0027 TEL/FAX:+81-266-22-5854
Inquiries http://www.okaya-museum.jp/ E-mail: art@city.okaya.lg.jp
Okaya Silk Hand Weaving Studio: The Old Homeplace of Silk
Okaya was once known worldwide for its production of raw silk. Today, though its production has declined, we have inherited the industry’s tools, techniques, and history. With the raw silk fiber that was Okaya’s main product, we now offer hand woven silk goods and “Okaya Silk,” our new local specialty, is taking off. At the Okaya Silk Museum’s adjoining Miyasaka Silk Mill, Joshu and Suwa reeling machines produce the raw silk with a natural texture that gives “Okaya silk” its distinctive feel.
Hours Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 9:00 AM – 16:00 PM
Closed Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, New Year holiday
For closure enquiries contact the Okaya Economics Department, Division of Commerce and Tourism
Address, Phone Number, Inquiries
Chuo-cho 1-13-17, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, 394-0027
TEL/FAX:+81-266-24-2245
URL http://www.okayacci.or.jp/kinu/
*when closed please contact the Okaya Division of Commerce and Tourism
TEL：+81-266-23-4811（ext. 1453）
Participation Fee
<Coaster Weaving and Dying > Coaster Weaving 1,000 yen (30 minutes)
Dying 2,000 yen~ (60 minutes)
*Participation is available any time with a reservation
Other We also conduct silk product exhibition and sales (coasters, scarfs, pouches, ties, Japanese wrapping cloths, etc)