The Oya History Museum (大谷資料館) is a museum located in the town of Oya, in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The museum is housed in an old stone quarry, which was in operation from the Edo period to the early 20th century. The quarry produced high-quality tuff stone, which was used in the construction of many important buildings in Japan, including the Imperial Palace and the National Diet Building.
The museum showcases the history and techniques of stone quarrying, as well as the daily lives of the quarry workers. Visitors can explore the underground quarry tunnels and see the various tools and machinery used in the quarrying process. The museum also features exhibits on the geology of the area and the use of Oya stone in architecture.
In addition to the museum exhibits, visitors can also participate in hands-on activities such as stone carving and painting. The Oya History Museum is a unique and fascinating destination for those interested in the history of Japan’s stone industry and the culture of quarry workers.
Getting there
From Utsunomiya Station to Oya History Museum:
| Bus | Utsunomiya Station ↓ Bus Number 45 ↓ 29 minutes (26 stops) Shiryokan Iriguchi ↓ Walk about 3 minutes ↓ Oya History Museum (Cost 530 yen) |
Details
| Hours | April to November / 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM) December to March / 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (last admission 4:00 PM) Open every day from April to November. Closed every Tuesday from December to March. (if Tuesday is a holiday, it will be closed the next day) |
| Admission | Adults: 800 yen Children: 400 yen |
| Phone | +81 28-652-1232 |
| Address | 909 Oyamachi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-0345 |
| Official Website | http://www.oya909.co.jp/ |
