About
In a quiet corner of Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture, the Yachiyo City Folk Museum stands in the Murakami area as a gateway to the history and culture of the region. Once, Murakami Elementary School stood on this site, and as a remnant of that time, the camphor tree still towering on the grounds serves as a silent witness to the passage of the ages.
The museum’s exhibits focus on the changing relationship between the nature of the Shinkawa River basin and its people, structured in a unique way that traces time backward from the present to the past. A diverse array of materials—archaeological, historical, folkloric, natural, and industrial—are arranged as if reversing the flow of time, inviting visitors on a journey through space and history.
Inside the museum, there are displays about the reclamation of Lake Inbanuma and the development of agriculture, evoking the efforts of predecessors who contributed to the region’s growth. There are also introductions to traditional performing arts such as “Shishimai” (lion dance), “Tsujigiri,” and “Obisha,” allowing visitors to feel the diversity and richness of local culture.
The museum regularly holds lectures and events, providing a place where people of all ages, from adults to children, can enjoy learning. Opportunities are offered to experience traditional games with parents and children, or to take walks visiting local cultural properties, making the region’s history and culture feel close at hand.
A visit to this museum allows one to touch the depths of Yachiyo City’s history and culture, and to let the imagination wander through stories that transcend time.