Towel Museum

Imabari has established itself as Japan's premier towel-producing region, creating approximately 60 percent of the country's domestic towel output. The Towel Museum brings together this rich manufacturing heritage with contemporary art and design, creating a space where visitors can explore the intricate relationship between craft, culture, and everyday objects.

The museum complex operates under ICHIHIRO Co., Ltd., a company that has been instrumental in developing Imabari's towel industry since 1971. What began with six looms has evolved into a comprehensive cultural facility that showcases the full spectrum of towel production and textile art.

Three Distinct Experiences

The museum is thoughtfully organized into three interconnected areas, each offering a different perspective on towel culture.

The museum amusement area provides an engaging introduction to textile arts through interactive displays and installations. Visitors encounter colorful arrangements featuring approximately 1,800 spools of yarn in roughly 200 different colors, creating a vibrant wall display that transforms ordinary materials into visual art. Creative installations include towel sculptures and artistic pieces that demonstrate the versatility of textile materials beyond their utilitarian purposes.

The main museum area takes visitors through the complete towel manufacturing process. Beginning with raw cotton, the exhibits demonstrate each stage of production through functioning machinery. The carding process removes impurities and aligns cotton fibers into parallel strands. Drawing frames eliminate unevenness and create uniform fiber alignment. Roving frames stretch and twist the cotton into preliminary yarn forms. Spinning frames complete the yarn production, and winding machines prepare the finished product for weaving. This comprehensive display allows visitors to appreciate the precision and craftsmanship involved in creating high-quality towels.

The outdoor garden area features expansive European-style grounds with seasonal flowers, lawns, and walking paths. Bronze statues of Moomin characters from the beloved Finnish stories are scattered throughout the landscape, creating unexpected moments of whimsy. The garden provides a tranquil setting for relaxation and hosts special events, including outdoor weddings and seasonal illuminations.

Galleries and Exhibitions

The museum maintains both permanent and rotating exhibitions. A dedicated gallery space showcases Moomin-themed displays, celebrating these internationally recognized characters through textile art. Regular special exhibitions feature works by various artists, including pieces by Kathy Nakajima, a noted textile artist from nearby Nakajima Island.

Current exhibitions may include collaborative works with popular culture icons, demonstrating how traditional textile craftsmanship can merge with contemporary design sensibilities. The museum frequently updates its special exhibition program, ensuring return visitors always discover something new.