Activities - Arts & Crafts

Music Box Workshop
Lake Suwa Orgel Museum Somei-Kan : 諏訪湖オルゴール博物館　奏鳴館

Discover the Wonders of Music Boxes

Suwa

Description

See the history of music box manufacturing in the Lake Suwa region. Enjoy the beautiful melodies and make a music box yourself at Somei-Kan, the Lake Suwa Orgel Museum.
The museum was remodeled in March, 2016 and now features a music box performance and video with a special cast. From September, 2016, the museum presents a projection mapping show called "Sophie and the Music Boxes' Long Night".

Recommendation

The Lake Suwa area is a hub for precision manufacturing in Japan. From its roots in the silk industry, the area is a leader in making watches, cameras and ... music boxes. At one point, 90% of the worlds music box production was from the Suwa region. Today, it is closer to 30% but the music box craftsmen are on a quest to revive the industry by introducing new applications and functions for music boxes. Somei-Kan, the Lake Suwa Orgel (music box) Museum, has displays explaing the history of music box production in the area as well as the latest models for sale. You can also learn how to make a music box yourself to take back with you as a reminder of your trip to Lake Suwa. Choose one of 670 melodies and assemble the mechanism into a case of your choice.

Details

  • 30
  • 6
  • 40 people
  • au Hot Spot.
Hours
9:00-17:30 (9:00-17:00 in winter) Workshops offered at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00.
Date(s)
Closed the First Tuesday and Wednesday of Feb.
Cost / Price of Admission
Entrance Fee 800 yen, 500 yen for middle and elementary school, free for younger. Discounts for groups of 20 or more and for disabled persons with permit.
Music Box Making: 2,160~5,460 yen depending on size of music box.
Time Required
40-50 min
Credit Cards
VISA, MasterCard, Amex
Reservations
Required(Required for groups of 10+. Also required for individuals during School Field Trip season (late April to early June) and summer vacation (August))
# of Participants
1-40
Foreign Languages
(1st Floor Display has English signage. English leaflet available.)
Luggage Storage
Available

Notes

Instructors are used to teaching non-Japanese speakers but instructions will be in Japanese. The museum can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Contact

tel : +81(0)266-26-7300fax : +81(0)266-26-1044Official site

Access / Location

By Train
From Shimosuwa Station (JR Chuo Line), Walk north to the Taisha Odori Road (Route 20) and turn right. 700 m (10 min. on foot).
By Car
From Okaya IC, Take Route 20 east 4.6km (10 min.)

From Suwa IC, 25 min
Address
5805  Shimosuwa, Suwa 393-0087

Nearby Attractions

Sightseeing Spots

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