On May 2, 2025, the Hakata Traditional Crafts Museum relocated and reopened on Shotenji Street, within walking distance of Hakata Station. The museum was established with the desire to allow visitors to experience the traditional crafts of Fukuoka and Hakata more freely and intimately. It is an open cultural hub that caters to the five senses of its visitors.

"I think traditional crafts should be more free," says Matsuguchi Tomohiro, deputy director in charge of the museum's operations. He shared his thoughts on the future of "tradition" by saying that it should not just be preserved, but also experienced, enjoyed, and imaginative.

A hub for traditional crafts returns to town

The Hakata Traditional Crafts Museum opened in 2011 on the site of the former Reizei Elementary School. It was then temporarily relocated to the Fukuoka City Museum, and will finally return to the city of Hakata in the spring of 2025.

The new base is located on Jotenji Street, which has long been the center of Hakata-ori textiles and merchant culture. The calm interior of the building blends seamlessly into the tranquil streetscape, retaining a nostalgic charm while quietly harboring the seeds of new discoveries and experiences.

"We want to make this not just a tourist facility, but a place that is familiar to the local people," says Matsuguchi. Under the city's designated management system, the facility is working in cooperation with Fukuoka City to create a space that combines exhibitions, experiences, and community interaction.

Experience the handiwork of traditional craftsmen

The museum is lined with a variety of traditional crafts that represent Hakata. These include Hakata-ori textiles with their beautiful lustrous threads, delicate and expressive Hakata dolls, Hakata bent objects that make use of the flexibility of wood, Hakata tops that compete for the most exquisite spinning, as well as Hakata scissors, Hakata hariko, Hakata okiage, multi-glass, and Imajuku dolls. It is truly a space worthy of being called a treasure trove of handmade crafts.

"I want more people to know about traditional crafts and artists," says Matsuguchi. The museum has set up a new "experience corner" as an initiative to make traditional crafts more accessible. While learning about the materials and processes, you can try your hand at making Hakata paper mache and other crafts using your own imagination.

"There is no particular theme for the painting experience. Feel free to paint whatever you want. We want to lower the barrier to entry for crafts and let people just enjoy it." True to these words, visitors worked with their hands in their own way, experiencing the fascinating aspects of traditional crafts.

What I want to say to future creators

"I would be happy if this is the first opportunity for children to learn about traditional crafts."
Matsuguchi values the potential of the Hakata Traditional Crafts Museum as a place where people can encounter crafts. Summer vacation independent research projects, weekend family outings, and school-wide hands-on learning. He believes that allowing children to experience traditional crafts in a playful way will sow the seeds for the next generation of craftspeople.

It's not just children who visit. Locals, tourists, and even adults who participate as a hobby are also numerous. The time spent immersed in creating your own unique work while coming into contact with crafts such as Hakata dolls, Hakata paper mache, and Hakata weaving is an enriching experience that cannot be replaced by anything else.

"I would be happy if tourists would drop in and experience the crafts as a part of their memories of Hakata."
By casually stopping by during your trip and getting your hands dirty, you can experience Hakata culture firsthand. That moment may become a memory that makes you want to go back to Hakata again in a few years. They also plan to make pamphlets available in multiple languages and other measures to cater to inbound tourists.

The facility also holds seasonal exhibitions and events from time to time. The exhibits change every time you visit, and one of its attractions is the opportunity to encounter new works and artists. It's no wonder that there are so many fans who visit regularly.

"I would be happy if people would take an interest not only in the works but also in the artists. I would like to highlight the artists' personalities and lifestyles," says Matsuguchi. However, there are also challenges. For example, the lack of successors for some crafts, such as Hakata scissors, is a serious problem.

"Rather than focusing on training successors, I think it's more important now to first get as many people to know about it as possible." Learning about it, experiencing it, and growing to love it - the path to passing on tradition to the future is clear.

A place where you can discover your own unique handicraft

Hakata Traditional Crafts Museum is not just a place to look at exhibits. You can experience the hands and thoughts behind the works and try to trace them with your own sensibilities.
Even if it is just a single stroke of the brush or a small piece of work, the time you spend creating it with your own hands will be etched in your heart as an irreplaceable experience.

Tradition is not just about preserving the past, but also about being updated by people living in the present.
The joy of "making things" and respect for "someone's handiwork" are assets that can be passed down through generations.

"We would be delighted if you would feel free to drop by and make it a memorable experience while enjoying Fukuoka. Of course, we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about Hakata, and help you with your hospitality," Matsuguchi said, his words filled with warmth and sincerity.

If you visit Hakata, be sure to stop by Jotenji Street, where you'll surely find your own "handmade story" waiting for you.

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はかた伝統工芸館  
電話番号：092-409-5450 
住所：福岡市博多区博多駅前1-23-2ParkFront博多駅前一丁目1階  
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HP:：https://hakata-dentou-kougeikan.jp/ 
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