Ayashii Shonen Shojo Hakubutsukan

Ayashii Shonen Shojo Hakubutsukan

MUSEUM

Ito is home to two of the strangest museums I’ve ever visited, both run by the same company. The Ayashii Shonen Shojo Hakubutsukan is a museum which displays retro Japanese and American toys and other miscellaneous items. “Ayashii” means “suspicious” and refers to the cult/subculture atmosphere to the displays.

The giant penguin standing at the entrance is a landmark for the museum and is apparently a remnant of the previous “penguin museum”.

At the back there is also a small haunted house. Feel free to stumble your way through this!

The museum also has an on-site car park.

Review

This is by far one of the strangest museums I’ve ever visited. Linked to the Maboroshi Hakurankai, both of these are a must visit if you want to experience the weird side of Japan. The museum is literally jam-packed with old toys, clothes, posters, memorabilia and even has a corner full of just Furbys! It feels like people have donated their old, unwanted items and this museum found a home and even categorised them. You will leave not knowing what you just witnessed so if that’s your sort of thing then I definitely recommend visiting. If not then give this a miss.

At the back of the museum is a small haunted house, run by sensors as you approach each section. Don’t worry, no one should jump out at you. Not knowing the back story behind any of the horrors, it was mainly just some attempts at jump scares, although I’m sure if you know more about Japanese horror stories then it will be scarier for you on a cultural level.

Below the stairs there are also old games so feel free to relax and play some old school Mario or any of the other games lying about.

This museum is much smaller than I expected, taking only 30 minutes for us to walk around and fully admire all that’s on display. It’s a fairly small building with two floors and a back for the haunted house. If you come here definitely plan more in your itinerary.

ADDRESS

Ayashii Shonen Shojo Hakubutsukan,
Futo Kaido 1029-64,
Ito,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
413-0231

+81557518800 (Japanese only)
https://ayashii.pandora.nu/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Ayashii Shonen Shojo Hakubutsukan is easier to get to by car however if you wish to take public transport then take the JR Ito Line from Atami Station and switch to the bus at Izu Kougen Station. Then ride the bus for Izu Shaboten Zoo and alight at Ikeiriguchi Bus Stop.