Things to do in Toba, Chubu: The Best Museums

ARToba – a creative space linked with the community of Toba. Based in a former stationery store in the central Toba, ARToba is a place for artists and art students to stay, make, and exhibit artwork, in response to local research. The large shop-front windows have been transformed into a window gallery, and artworks can be viewed from the outside the building during daylight hours. Located only 11 minutes stroll from Toba station, and close to many historical landmarks of Toba, it is hoped that ARToba can play a vital role connecting artists with the surrounding communities.

The Toba Sea-Folk Museum was founded in 1971 to preserve the knowledge and history of Toba's fishing traditions and culture. We are the only museum in Japan dedicated to understanding the traditions of Toba's fisher-folk and the relationship between man and the sea. For over 45 years the museum has collected and preserved the antique fishing equipment of Mie Prefecture's fishing villages, and researched the traditions and religion of the area's fisher-folk.In 1985 the museum was presented with an award by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs('important Tangible Cultural Properties') for our collection of 6,879 exhibits about Toba's ancient fishing traditions and antique fishing equipment.

Come and discover the strange literary world of Edogawa Rampo, Japan's most famous mystery writer. Learn of his connection to Toba through the museum exhibits built using the former residence of his long-time friend, Junichi Iwata, a Japanese anthropologist from Toba who shared Rampo's interest in strange topics. English translations for most of the museum’s panels are available using the free WiFi and accessing the Rampo Museum’s website. Panels with English translations are marked with a number that links to the desired text online.