Tono Stories Hall (とおの物語の館)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A multi-facility complex near Tono Station where you can experience Tono's stories with all five senses. The 'Folktale Warehouse', converted from an old sake brewery, draws you into the world of Tono folktales through videos, sound, and playful exhibit designs, while the retro warehouse space itself is incredibly photogenic. At the adjacent Tono Theater (遠野座), narrators perform folktales in the authentic Tono dialect—a uniquely Tono experience as you're enveloped in the soft resonance of local dialect. The Yanagita Kunio Exhibition Hall houses the former Ryuuou Inn (柳翁宿), Yanagita's lodging during his visits to Tono, and the relocated former Yanagita Kunio Retirement Home, allowing you to trace the origins of 'Tales of Tono'. For a group of folktale enthusiasts, this is the highlight of the first half of your journey—a place where time flies unnoticed.

Tips

About 5 minutes on foot from Tono Station. There are many restaurants nearby, making it convenient to find lunch after your visit. The Tono Theater performances have set times, so check the day's schedule when you enter. There are areas where you remove your shoes, so wearing easy-to-slip-on shoes will make transitions smoother.

Best time to visit

Plan for about 60 minutes. Best to visit during the lunch hour timeframe, coordinating with the narrator performance schedule.

Access & map

〒028-0523 Iwate Prefecture, Tono City, Chuo-dori 2-11