A Small Western-Style Children's Library
The Nishio City Library Toy Museum (Former Iwase Bunko Children's Library) (西尾市立図書館おもちゃ館（旧岩瀬文庫児童館）) is a single-storey timber former children's library of around 1925 at the Iwase Bunko in Kamezawa-cho, Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, which in 1999 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a tiled roof and a building area of 57 square metres, owned by Nishio City and registered as a model of design.
The Agency explains that it was built as the Iwase Bunko's children's library.
Structure
According to the Agency, it is a small single-storey Western-style timber building with clapboard walls, half-timbered gable decoration and tall sash windows.
Nishio City Library notes that Iwase Yasuke built it in 1925 as the Iwase Bunko children's library, and that it was renovated in 1986 because of its age and became the present Toy Museum.
What to Look For
The Agency notes a design suited to a children's facility, and its continued use for children as a point of interest.
Nishio City Library says folk toys are displayed in cases on its walls.
Visiting the Nishio City Library Toy Museum (Former Iwase Bunko Children's Library)
Nishio City Library says the Toy Museum is currently closed to the public. The exterior can be seen from the Iwase Bunko grounds.
The history of the Iwase Bunko and visiting information are on the group page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Aichi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nishio City Library Toy Museum (Former Iwase Bunko Children's Library)
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Q&A
- When was the children's library built?
- Around 1925.
- What does it look like?
- Clapboard walls, half-timbered gables and tall sash windows.
- When did it become the Toy Museum?
- After renovation in 1986.
- What is displayed there?
- Folk toys.
- Can I visit?
- It is currently closed, according to Nishio City Library.
Basic Information
| Name | Nishio City Library Toy Museum (Former Iwase Bunko Children's Library) (西尾市立図書館おもちゃ館（旧岩瀬文庫児童館）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 474 Kamezawa-cho, Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1999/6/7 (Heisei 11) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, tiled roof, building area 57 square metres |
| Owner | Nishio City |
| Public Access | Currently closed |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Former Iwase Bunko Children's Library (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00001114
- Cultural Heritage Online: Toy Museum (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/113994
- Nishio City Library: Toy Museum (Japanese)
- https://www.library.city.nishio.aichi.jp/contents/facility-top/facility/toy
Last verified: 2026.09.29
