Japanese Doll Museum

The Yokohama Doll Museum (Ningyō-no Ie) is one of the most atmospheric cultural spots in Yokohama – a compact, colourful and surprisingly emotional place where families can discover dolls from more than 100-140 countries and explore the delicate craftsmanship behind Japan’s traditional doll-making. Despite the word “museum” in its name, the experience feels warm, playful and full of charming details that appeal to both children and adults. Its convenient location next to Yamashita Park and Marine Tower also makes it easy to combine with a relaxed seaside walk before or after your visit.

Where is Yokohama Doll Museum located and how do you get there?

The Yokohama Doll Museum is located on Yamashita Park Street, directly across from Yamashita Park and only a few steps from Marine Tower. This central, family-friendly area offers flat pavements, easy navigation and several cafés and playgrounds nearby.

For families staying in Tokyo, the museum is reachable in about 30 minutes by JR or Minatomirai Line trains. From Motomachi-Chūkagai Station, the walk to the museum entrance takes just 5-10 minutes.

Parking: The museum provides paid parking (around ¥500 per hour for standard cars), and the surrounding Yamashita Park area offers multiple public parking lots.
Opening hours: 09:30-17:00, with last admission at 16:30 – arriving after this time means you will not be allowed to enter.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: If you are travelling by car, bring coins for the free coin-return lockers on the first floor. They are especially useful for families carrying jackets, backpacks or shopping bags.

What can you see inside the Yokohama Doll Museum?

The museum spans several floors and features a rich, well-organised collection. Most families spend around 1-2 hours inside, and thanks to the compact layout, children rarely feel overwhelmed or tired.

1. Permanent exhibition: dolls from more than 100 countries

The heart of the museum is a vast collection of over 10,000 dolls from across the world – Japan, Europe, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The variety is impressive, with dolls made from wood, bisque, wax, fabric, plastic, celluloid, papier-mâché and more. Visitors will see elegant bisque dolls with detailed facial features, traditional dolls from countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Oman and Panama, retro Western dolls including Cabbage Patch Kids, vintage Barbies and Snow White figures, as well as unique cultural pieces from Mali, India, Pakistan and Ty character dolls. Children enjoy the bright colours and small details, while adults often focus on craftsmanship and cultural differences.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Photography without flash is allowed in many areas, offering excellent opportunities for family photos.

2. The “Blue-Eyed Dolls”: the emotional story behind the museum

One of the most meaningful parts of the museum is the story of the Blue-Eyed Dolls – 12,739 dolls sent from the United States to Japan in 1926-1927 as a gesture of goodwill during a politically sensitive time. Each doll arrived with a “passport”, travel tickets and a handwritten message. During World War II most of these dolls were destroyed, while nearly 300 survived after being secretly protected by teachers and families. These surviving dolls later became the foundation of the museum’s core collection. Families often find this section especially touching and a good starting point for discussions about kindness, history and cultural exchange.

3. Japanese traditional dolls: what makes them special?

Japan has a rich and long-standing doll-making tradition, represented here through several iconic types: Hina dolls for the Girls’ Festival (Hina Matsuri), regional Kokeshi dolls from Tōhoku, Kabuki-theatre dolls and miniature scenes, and antique works by Hirata Gōyo, a recognised Living National Treasure. The delicate clothing, expressive facial features and tiny accessories capture the attention of both children and adults.

4. The giant multi-storey dollhouse: a favourite among kids

One of the museum’s most impressive displays is a large multi-storey dollhouse, fully furnished with intricate miniature rooms and décor. Children often spend a long time exploring its different floors, kitchens, living rooms and tiny furniture. Some sections also include interactive play areas, offering children a break between exhibition rooms.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: If you are travelling with younger children (around 5-8 years old), plan extra time here – it is usually their favourite part.

5. How dolls are made: tools, materials and “cut-open” examples

Another engaging area shows how dolls are created, featuring porcelain heads and eyes, cork and wooden bases, real tools, wigs, clothing pieces and miniature shoes. This exhibit helps children and adults understand the precision and patience required for doll-making.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: The bisque doll showcase is especially interesting – comparing an unfinished face with a completed doll is surprisingly educational.

6. Special exhibitions: seasonal, modern and extremely fun

The museum frequently updates its special exhibitions, which are often the highlight for families. Depending on the season, visitors may find Sanrio exhibitions (Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars), Pullip Carnival or Pullip Etoile releases, Momoko 20th Anniversary events, Sylvanian Families fairs with photo spots, or exhibitions dedicated to Hatsune Miku, Monchhichi, Cheburashka, Peko-chan and other popular characters. These shows are colourful, modern and very appealing for children, including teenagers.

What is near Yokohama Doll Museum and worth visiting on the same day?

The museum’s location makes it ideal for a full family outing, offering easy access to several nearby attractions.

1. Yamashita Park – located directly across the street. It is perfect for a relaxed seaside walk, family photos and giving children space to run around after the museum visit.
2. Yokohama Marine Tower – a short walk away, offering panoramic views of Yokohama Bay. Even if you don’t go up the tower, the surrounding area is pleasant for strolling.
3. Motomachi Shopping Street – just 5-7 minutes on foot, this stylish street features boutiques, cafés, bakeries and dessert shops. It’s a good place for a light lunch, coffee or souvenirs.
4. Chinatown (Yokohama Chūkagai) – one of the world’s largest Chinatowns, located 10-12 minutes away. Colourful, lively and family-friendly, it’s also perfect for lunch or early dinner.
5. Red Brick Warehouse – historic red-brick buildings transformed into a vibrant shopping and dining complex. Great for photos and casual browsing.
6. Cup Noodles Museum – a hands-on, kid-friendly museum where children can customise their own cup noodles, making it a fun complement to the Doll Museum visit.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: The most efficient family route is Museum → Yamashita Park → Chinatown for lunch → Red Brick Warehouse. All stops are easily accessible on foot.

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More Info

Is Yokohama Doll Museum suitable for families, seniors and people with mobility limitations?

For families with children (5-18 years)

The museum is highly suitable for families. Children enjoy the colourful cultural dolls, the giant multi-storey dollhouse, character-themed exhibitions, photo zones and interactive play corners. Younger children may find some of the darker antique dolls a bit intense, but most areas feel cheerful and engaging.

For seniors

The museum offers a quiet and comfortable environment. Benches and resting areas are available throughout the building, and many of the dolls evoke a sense of nostalgia that older visitors often appreciate.

For travellers with mobility limitations

The building is designed with accessibility in mind.

• Elevators connect all floors.
• Corridors are wide and easy to navigate.
• The entrance is accessible via the elevator located between the café and the museum shop.
• Indoor routes are smooth and free of obstacles.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Because the museum is compact and easy to navigate, it is an excellent option for rainy days or when you need an indoor activity that doesn’t require much walking.

1-Day Family Route: Yokohama Doll Museum (Ningyō-no Ie)

Start your day at Motomachi-Chūkagai Station (Minatomirai Line). From Exit 4, walk about 5-7 minutes along Yamashita Park Street. The route is flat, simple to navigate and very stroller-friendly.

Enter the Yokohama Doll Museum on the second floor; lockers and a small café are located on the first floor. Most families spend around 1.5-2 hours exploring both the permanent and seasonal exhibitions. Children particularly enjoy the world-dolls section, the multi-storey dollhouse and character-themed zones such as Sanrio, Pullip or Sylvanian Families, depending on the season.

Tickets: ¥400 for adults / ¥200 for children for the permanent exhibition, and ¥700-1200 for combined entry. The museum accepts cash only.

After the museum, walk about 5 minutes to Chinatown (Yokohama Chūkagai) for lunch. Dim-sum restaurants and noodle shops are ideal for families, and the colourful streets make great photo backdrops.

After lunch, enjoy Yamashita Park, located directly across from the museum. It is perfect for a seaside walk, playground time and bright photos with the bay.

Continue with a short walk to Marine Tower (Yokohama Marine Tower). Even if you do not go up the observation deck, the area around the tower is pleasant and offers good views.

Next, make your way to Motomachi Shopping Street, about 10 minutes on foot. This stylish neighbourhood offers cafés, bakeries and boutique shops, ideal for dessert or relaxed shopping.

Return to Motomachi-Chūkagai Station on foot. If you prefer ending the day with an early dinner, Chinatown is just a few minutes away and offers plenty of family-friendly options.

Traveler reviews

1. Emily Hart – visited in May 2023
   I stopped by the Yokohama Doll Museum with my two kids, expecting a small visit, but we ended up staying almost two hours. The world-doll collection was excellent, and my daughter especially loved the giant dollhouse. The only downside was that the museum is cash only, so it’s important to bring yen. Even so, it quickly became one of our favourite stops in Yokohama.
2. Daniel Cooper – visited in October 2019
   I’m not usually a museum person, but this one felt more like a colourful, quirky gallery. The story of the Blue-Eyed Dolls was unexpectedly emotional, and the Japanese dolls by Hirata Gōyo were remarkable. Some of the antique dolls looked a bit intense, so my son moved through that section quickly, but overall it was a great family-friendly activity near Yamashita Park.
3. Yael Ben-Ari – visited in July 2025
   I visited with my teenagers while we were exploring the waterfront. The special exhibition focused on Sylvanian Families and offered plenty of cute photo spots. The museum is small, but that worked in our favour – easy to navigate and never overwhelming. A perfect rainy-day option, although I do wish they accepted credit cards.
4. Lior Cohen – visited in August 2018
   We arrived right at opening, and it made a big difference. My kids had the dollhouse floor almost entirely to themselves. The international dolls were fascinating, especially those from Africa and Southeast Asia. I also enjoyed seeing how the porcelain dolls were made. My only complaint was that some labels had no English, but the displays were still clear.
5. Amina Al-Mansoori – visited in April 2023
   I visited during a Sanrio exhibition, and my daughter was thrilled to see the Hello Kitty displays. I appreciated the museum’s compact size – ideal for families who prefer short, visual experiences over long museum visits. The staff were friendly and used to children exploring freely. Just remember to bring cash for tickets and the gift shop.
6. Omar Al-Haddad – visited in September 2019
   I didn’t expect to enjoy the museum as much as I did. The cultural diversity of the dolls makes it surprisingly educational. My son liked the puppet displays and the small workshop area. Some antique dolls were a bit intense, but the modern sections balanced them well. We combined the visit with a walk in Yamashita Park, which worked perfectly.
7. Hannah Stein – visited in March 2024
   We stayed near Motomachi and visited after lunch. The special exhibition focused on “magical girl” anime, which my teenage daughter loved. I enjoyed the calm atmosphere, even though parts of the building felt slightly dated. The collection is large for such a small museum, and the doll-making process exhibit was particularly impressive.
8. Mark Johnson – visited in November 2018
   I dropped in because it started raining, and it turned out to be a great choice. The permanent exhibition costs only ¥400, which is excellent for what you get. I especially liked the vintage Western dolls and the beautifully carved Japanese hina dolls. It’s not a full-day attraction, but perfect as part of a Yokohama walking day.

Tips from the Itinerary Expert

1. Arrive right at opening (09:30).
   When I arrived early, the museum was almost empty, and my children explored the giant dollhouse freely. By around 11:00, the special exhibitions – especially Sanrio or Sylvanian Families – became noticeably busier.
2. Bring cash – no exceptions.
   Tickets, special exhibitions and gift shop purchases are all cash only. I once had to walk back to Motomachi to find an ATM, so now I always prepare yen in advance.
3. Start with the “Dolls of the World” floor.
   This section is colourful and cheerful, making it ideal for families. The antique doll area can feel intense for younger children, so I prefer visiting it later, once they are already engaged.
4. Use the free lockers on the first floor.
   The coin-return lockers are extremely useful if you are carrying jackets or shopping bags from Motomachi. Lighter hands make the museum much easier to enjoy, especially with children.
5. Check the special exhibition before your visit.
   Themes like Hello Kitty, Pullip Carnival, Sylvanian Families or magical-girl anime can completely change the experience. Some exhibitions are so well done that I plan my Yokohama day around them.
6. Combine the visit with Yamashita Park.
   After about 1.5-2 hours indoors, children usually need open space. The park across the street provides the perfect break before heading to Chinatown or Red Brick Warehouse.
7. Let children spend extra time at the giant dollhouse.
   Many families rush through it, but it is one of the most detailed exhibits. My children easily spent 20-30 minutes discovering new rooms and miniature props.
8. Photography without flash is allowed in most areas.
   I always take advantage of this to capture bright, creative family photos – especially in the world-dolls area and character exhibitions.
9. Visit on a weekday if possible.
   On weekdays I often saw very few visitors, even during major exhibitions. Weekends, especially during holiday seasons, tend to be much busier.
10. Save the gift shop for the end.
    The first-floor shop offers exclusive goods, especially Sylvanian Families and Peko-chan items. I learned to stop there last – otherwise children get distracted before the visit even begins.

Insights from the Itinerary Expert

I visited Yokohama Doll Museum (Ningyō-no Ie) in April 2024 during a short family-focused research trip, and it quickly stood out as one of Yokohama’s most unexpected highlights. Even though families with older children do not always gravitate toward museums, this one feels different – lighter, more visual and easier to enjoy. The combination of world dolls, Japanese traditional craftsmanship and playful seasonal exhibitions makes the experience engaging for younger children and teenagers alike.

What impressed me most was how compact the museum is. You can explore it at a relaxed pace without rushing, which is ideal for families who prefer colourful, lively environments rather than long educational halls. The giant dollhouse and the constantly changing special exhibitions – Sanrio, Pullip, Sylvanian Families – add a sense of surprise that keeps children curious. I also appreciated the section showing how porcelain and bisque dolls are made; even visitors who are not particularly interested in craftsmanship find it fascinating.

There are a few minor challenges, such as the cash-only policy, some limited English explanations and the occasional antique doll that may feel intense for sensitive children. However, with Yamashita Park and Chinatown just steps away, the museum becomes an excellent half-day option within a vibrant, family-friendly neighbourhood.

Yokohama Doll Museum is a balanced mix of creativity, culture, colour and easy-going family fun.

Yokohama Doll Museum – Price Table (USD)

I love how these dolls capture the spirit of Italy—colorful outfits, proud expressions, and so much detail. It’s like a tiny cultural journey in a glass case.

Popular Questions

1. What are the ticket prices for Yokohama Doll Museum?
   The permanent exhibition costs ¥400 for adults and ¥200 for children. Special exhibitions cost ¥700-1200, depending on the event.
2. Do they accept credit cards?
   No. Tickets, special exhibitions and gift shop purchases are cash only. Visitors should prepare yen in advance.
3. Is the museum suitable for young children?
   Yes. Most areas are family-friendly, especially the world-dolls section, the giant dollhouse and the character exhibitions. Some antique dolls may feel intense for sensitive children, but the overall experience is colourful and engaging.
4. How long does a visit usually take?
   Most families spend about 1.5-2 hours exploring the permanent and seasonal exhibitions.
5. Is the museum accessible for strollers and wheelchairs?
   Yes. Elevators connect all floors, corridors are wide, and the entrance is accessible through the elevator located between the museum shop and café.
6. Are photos allowed inside?
   Yes, in most areas. During my 2024 visit, photography without flash was permitted almost everywhere, including character exhibits and dollhouses.
7. What’s the best time of day to visit?
   From my experience, arriving right at opening (09:30) is ideal. The museum is quiet at that time, and children can enjoy the dollhouse areas with minimal crowds.
8. What can we combine with the museum on the same day?
   Yamashita Park, Yokohama Marine Tower, Chinatown and Motomachi Shopping Street are all within 5-12 minutes on foot, making the museum easy to include in a half-day family plan.

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