Sawanoi Kushi-kanzashi Museum (Sawanoi Kushi-kanzashi Bijutsukan) is a museum which has comprehensive collection of traditional Japanese hair ornaments.
(Introduction of the museum cited from its website)
On display at Kushi-kanzashi Museum are what the late Chiyo Okazaki had collected for 40 years. The collection includes about 4,000 pieces of hair accessories as well as clothing, accessories and livingware of various periods in history. … The hair accessories used by Japanese women are categorized into the following three types: kushi (comb), kanzashi (hairpin) and kogai (hair stick). …
Admission: ￥600 for adult.
Access: Tokyo (local train 1:30) Sawai (walk 0:10) @
Webmaster visited the museum before last week.
Start walking from Sawai Station
One important thing you must remember is that you need to press “Open” button to open the train door while the green light is on, otherwise…
Going down a gentle slope from the station,
Crossing a suspension bridge over Tama-gawa River,
Then, Webmaster reached the museum after a short walk for ten minutes. You can visit there by car through another route.
The entrance hall, reception, and souvenir shop
River view from the hall
The entrance to the first exhibition room
In the first room, the hair ornaments of Edo Era (from 17th to the middle of 19th century) are exhibited.
Some displays of kushi (comb), kanzashi (hairpin), kogai (hair stick) and inro (pillbox) in the first room
Unfortunately, most of the explanations on the display are written in Japanese. It may be better if any Japanese guide accompanies you.
The second room is on the downstairs.
Collection from Meiji to Showa Era (from the end of 19th to 20th century) is exhibited in the second room.
Wigs with ornaments show us how to put them on. A series of wigs also show us the variety and the change of hair style.
A rest area after the second room. You can enjoy a nice river view!
The third room next to the rest area is for a thematic exhibition.
Some masterpieces of the collection
After the museum, Webmaster dropped in at a garden café Sawanoi-en which is at the foot of the suspension bridge. Webmaster took yakionigiri and amazake. You can also take Japanese sake (rice wine).
A promenade is set along Tama-gawa River for about 3km, which lies aside of the café. Webmaster didn’t try it this time but had done on the other day. You can enjoy a nice riverside walk.
Now, it’s time to go back. Remember that you need to press “Open” button again to open a train door, otherwise you may not be able to go back home…
(Remarks: All the photos inside the museum were taken under the permission of the director.)
End.