Yamanashi Jewelry Museum — Attraction in Kofu

Absolutely beautiful museum with so much detail about the crystals and gemstones locally (and worldwide!) and the history of jewellery making. There are signs throughout in both English and Japanese, making it an easy way to experience the museum for a foreigner like myself. It is quite small and the staff weren't very interactive (although that may be because of the language barrier) so you could easily get through it in about 30 minutes or less but it is well worth spending a little longer looking at the details in the pieces and in the rock samples on display - and, it's free which is always a plus. Also, I came on a weekday but on the weekend there are artisans at work in a workshop near the end of the museum which would be very...

Fantastic place! I am so happy we visited. I didn't know what to expect, but it was a beautiful and very interesting exhibition, and all that is for free! The exhibition involves geography, introducing different types of crystals, history of Japanese jewellery industry and the techniques of making crystal jewellery. Lots of beautiful colourful crystals and jewellery items on display. The movies are also interesting. The museum is not so big, a convenient place. The best thing is if you are with children that you can try polishing crystals and make your own jewellery, a necklace or pendant. If you are in Kofu city, definitely come and...

Personally not interested in accessories, but it's free so might as well (you only need to write a short survey of where you came fron and transportation) Turns out half of the exhibit is more about the raw materials, there was a wall filled with precious stones before and after polishing which was interesting to see. Also some of the precious stones are shaped interestingly, there was a small tennis racket made from pearl, that was hillarious. Highly recommended if you're in Kofu and got an...