If you're an automobile aficionado, there are a range of fantastic museums across Japan where you can learn more about cars and see many models up close. Here are five of the best car-related museums from across the country, and some information on what you'll find at each venue.
Shikoku Automobile Museum, Kochi
Opened back in 1990, the Shikoku Automobile Museum in Kochi is home to a range of domestic and international car models, with a specific focus on race cars and classic cars. For fans of things on two-wheels, there's also a sizeable collection of motorbikes. Some of the car models on display include the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and Cobra to name just a handful.
896 Otani, Noichicho, Konan City, Kochi Prefecture 781-5233
Motorcar Museum of Japan, Ishikawa
The Motorcar Museum of Japan is located in Ishikawa Prefecture, and boasts an impressive collection of around 500 different vehicles. There are Japanese, European, and American models at the venue, with many of them being extremely rare. One of the most noteworthy cars on display is the Rolls-Royce that transported Princess Diana during her visit to Japan.
40 Ikkanyama, Futatsunashimachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa, 923-0345
Toyota Automobile Museum, Aichi
Possibly the most well-known of Japan's car-related museums, the Toyota Automobile Museum aims to highlight the evolution and culture of automobiles from around the world. The museum prides itself on the fact that the vehicles here are pristinely maintained, and almost all of them are still in roadworthy condition. Free guided tours are also available in English at the museum, making it easy for those who may not speak Japanese.
41-100 Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1118
Honda Collection Hall, Tochigi
The Honda Collection Hall in Tochigi spans three floors, with sections dedicated to regular and racing motorcycles, racing cars, and car parts. There's also a reading room which has a wide variety of car-related books, videos, and pictures to peruse, and the museum shop has a host of limited edition goods that you can't find anywhere else - perfect for collectors!
120-1 Hiyama, Motegi, Haga District, Tochigi 321-3533
Nissan Engine Museum, Kanagawa
The Nissan Engine Museum is located in Yokohama, and has a range of displays including historic engines and vehicles. There are 28 different engines on display, each of which had an important role in Nissan's engine development. The engines are grouped into "eras", such as engines from the 1960s and 1970s when full-scale motorization began in Japan, and engines from the 1980s and 1990s when Japanese automobile production grew rapidly.
2-番地 Takaracho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-8623
As for more car museums:
* The Suzuki Plaza near Hamamatsu has a wonderful collection of their cars and motorbikes (and a few looms), and a separate floor about the design development and production of cars. Free but with reservation only: https://www.suzuki-rekishikan.jp/english/
* Similarly, Mazda has a combined museum and factory tour in Hiroshima. Also free and only with reservation: https://www.mazda.com/en/about/museum/
* The Ikaho Toy, Doll & Car Museum (a.k.a. the M Yokota Collection) has to be one of the most eclectic collections in the world. Besides cars and, well, toys and dolls they also have teddy bears, showa era stuff, pro wrestling, chocolate, wine and beer, squirrels and lot more. Definitely worth a visit! http://www.ikaho-omocha.jp/
* This spring I had planned to visit the Fukuyama Auto & Clock Museum, but for obvious reasons that didn't happen: https://www.facm.net/