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Museums #3 in Fukuyama, Hiroshima

Fukuyama Auto & Clock Museum

4.4 · 1,069 reviews
Nostalgic, eccentric, and informal.
Fukuyama Auto & Clock Museum, 3 Chome-1-22 Kitayoshizucho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0073, Japan
Interesting facts
1

The museum features a 'hands-on' policy where guests are actively encouraged to sit inside the vintage cars for photographs.

2

The collection includes several 'hometown' vehicles that were once common sights on Japanese roads during the Showa era.

3

Many of the mechanical clocks on display are kept in working condition and chime at intervals throughout the day.

4

The museum regularly houses vehicles that have appeared in television dramas and movies, often featuring posters or stills from these productions.

5

The wax doll displays are designed to recreate nostalgic lifestyle scenes, such as traditional barbershops or domestic living rooms from the mid-1900s.

Overview

The Fukuyama Auto & Clock Museum is a private collection featuring an eclectic mix of vintage automobiles, historical timepieces, and retro-themed exhibits. The museum is notable for its hands-on policy, allowing visitors to enter and touch many of the vintage vehicles on display. The collection includes domestic Japanese classic cars and rare international models. Beyond automobiles, the facility houses an extensive assembly of antique wall clocks and mantle clocks. A distinct feature of the museum is the inclusion of whimsical wax figures and dioramas depicting scenes from mid-20th-century Japan. The museum occupies a multi-story building that utilizes unconventional, densely packed display arrangements. It functions as a nostalgic archive of mechanical and cultural artifacts from the Showa period. The facility maintains a quirky, uncurated aesthetic that sets it apart from traditional historical institutions.

Photo spot

Inside the driver's seat of the vintage convertible cars parked in the main display area.

Insider tips

Bring a fully charged camera or smartphone, as the interactive nature of the exhibits makes this a highly photogenic site.

Allocate extra time to wander through the 'cluttered' aisles, as interesting artifacts are often tucked away in unexpected corners.

What to avoid

Do not treat the museum like a traditional 'look but don't touch' gallery; visitors are expected to engage with the displays.

Good to know

Open year-round; no specific seasonal closures noted.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, as the narrow aisles can become crowded during weekends.
Address
Fukuyama Auto & Clock Museum, 3 Chome-1-22 Kitayoshizucho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0073, Japan
Website
34.498, 133.363
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsShowa-era classic automobiles, antique mechanical wall clocks, and life-sized vintage diorama wax figures.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, as the narrow aisles can become crowded during weekends..

Inside the driver's seat of the vintage convertible cars parked in the main display area.

Close by you'll find Fukuyama Castle, Fukuyama Castle Museum, Fukuyama Art Museum.