Exclusive Finds! 3 Souvenirs You Can Only Get at Yamanashi Museums

Yamanashi Prefecture is home to many museums and art galleries, each offering unique opportunities to explore local history, art, and culture.

And what’s one of the best parts of visiting a museum? The souvenir shop, of course! These shops sell items designed to match each museum’s concept, making them irresistible to browse.

Such souvenirs are perfect not only as gifts for friends and family but also as a special treat for yourself.

In this article, we’ll introduce some of the exclusive souvenirs you can purchase at museum shops in Yamanashi. Many of these facilities also offer interactive, hands-on experiences, so be sure to check them out when planning your visit!

Neckties and More: “Hataori” Textiles – Fujisan Museum

The city of Fujiyoshida, located closest to Mt. Fuji, has been renowned as a center of textile production (Hataori) for over 1,000 years.

What is “Hataori”?

Hataori refers to the art of weaving cloth on a loom. Textiles are fabrics created by interlacing vertical and horizontal threads. In Yamanashi, dyeing is carried out using natural spring water from Mt. Fuji. Thanks to its low mineral content and purity, the colors produced are exceptionally bright and vivid.

Every October, the city hosts the lively Hataori Machi Festival, where visitors can stroll through town while shopping for a wide variety of textiles. Fujiyoshida is especially famous for producing the largest number of neckties in Japan.

At the Fujisan Museum, you’ll find a shop featuring a wide selection of these beautifully crafted neckties, along with other textile-based items such as tenugui (Japanese hand towels) and gamaguchi (coin purses). With so many options, you’re sure to find a special souvenir to take home.

【Fujisan Museum】

Vintage & Antique Music Boxes – Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum

Located on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum is a charming destination where visitors can immerse themselves in the enchanting sounds of antique music boxes.

The museum houses extraordinary instruments, including one of the world’s largest dance organs and a self-playing instrument that was originally destined for the Titanic. During lunch hours, guests can also enjoy live concerts with Mt. Fuji as a backdrop, paired with fine cuisine for a truly elegant experience.

At the museum shop, you’ll find a wide selection of original and high-end music boxes, perfect as souvenirs. Among the highlights is a music box crafted from the rare cypress trees of Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, a site registered as a UNESCO World Heritage.

For those seeking a hands-on experience, the museum offers music box-making workshops (30–60 minutes). Choose from courses such as the Dome Music Box Experience, where you assemble glass parts, or the Painting Experience, where you decorate a hand-cranked music box housed in a traditional wooden case.

Take home not just a souvenir, but a personalized music box filled with memories.

【Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum】

Koshu Inden – Inden Museum

For those seeking a more unique and lesser-known museum experience, the Inden Museum is highly recommended.

Inden refers to a traditional craft from Yamanashi, where patterns are applied to deerskin using lacquer. Thanks to the region’s rich natural environment, deerskin and lacquer were readily available, allowing this craft to flourish. In fact, Koshu Inden was once used in samurai armor during the Sengoku period.

The Inden Museum showcases the history and artistry of Inden, with exhibits that change regularly, offering fresh insights with each visit.

On the first floor, you’ll find Inden-ya, a specialty shop with over 200 different patterns and designs to explore. From coin purses to long wallets, visitors can enjoy browsing and even touching the products before selecting the perfect piece.

【Inden Museum】

Summary

In this article, we introduced some of the exclusive souvenirs available at museums in Yamanashi Prefecture.

On JAPANOPIA FUJI +, you’ll also find many more articles showcasing a variety of Yamanashi souvenirs. Be sure to check them out for more inspiration!

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