Toyota Museums of the World

[toyotageek]

Recently I learned of a new Toyota Museum that will open this summer in Switzerland, so I thought we should list all the known Toyota museums in the world right here. Of course there are several in Japan, and we have one here in the USA. Europe has one in Germany, and the soon to open Swiss Toyota Museum.

Does anyone know of any others? Official or unofficial - public or private? If you know of a museum or collection that I should include here, please send me a PRIVATE MESSEGE

The following posts are the ones that I know about...

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

TAM
TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM
41-100 Nagakuteyokomichi, Nagakute-cho , Aichi-gun, Aichi Pref.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Hours - 9:30am to 5pm - closed Mondays
Admission - 1,000 yen
Self-guided tour and Audio tour available.
Display panels are in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
Pamphlets available in 16 different languages (Japanese, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Malay, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese).



This is the motherload of Toyota museums.
The main building opened in 1989, and has displays (about 120 vehicles) on the second and third floors. The second floor is dedicated to cars of the world (mostly American and European), the third floor consists of domestic automobiles (including Toyota, Datsun, Subaru, Mazda, etc.).

The annex building, which was opened in April of 1999 to commemorate the10th anniversary of the Toyota Automobile Museum, exhibits the history of motorization of Japan elaborating on the influence of the automobile on our lives and culture.
There is a museum shop and library here.



Museum website in English - LINK
Museum website in Japanese - LINK
The Japanese website has much more information, but is a little difficult to navigate.

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

TOYOTA KURAGAIKE COMMEMORATIVE HALL
250 Ikeda-cho Minami, Toyota City, Aichi Pref., 471-0001
TEL: [phone]
Hours: 9:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. (Admission until 4:30 p.m.) - closed Mondays
Admission: FREE



The Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall was built in 1974 in recognition of Toyota's 10 millionth manufactured vehicle. The building and the exhibits inside are a way of introducing Kiichiro Toyoda and his colleague's numerous challenges in establishing a full-scale automobile industry. This is a place where visitors can learn the history and legacy of Kiichiro and Toyota Motor Co.



Features include the origins of Toyota from weaving machinery to automobiles, a small vehicle exhibit, 1/5 scale model vehicles, diorama of Koromo Plant, a 15 minute film "The Founder" Kiichiro Toyoda, In Pursuit of the Dream, and a detailed 2-wall exhibit of Toyota Motor's Establishment In Photos.

One of the neatest features is the series of Radioramas - A revival of four symbolic scenes during Toyota's establishment that portray how Kiichiro and his colleagues overcame difficulties after strugging against numerous failures. With a detailed 1/30 scale "diorama" model, and by "radio drama-like" narration, activities at the time of establishment can be felt close at hand.

Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall website, English - LINK
Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall website, Japanese - LINK

Also to be found here is Kiichiro Toyoda's Former Residence, located on the grounds behind the Commemorative Hall.

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

TOYOTA KAIKAN EXHIBITION HALL
and TOYOTA MOTOR HONSHA PLANT TOUR
Toyota Motor Corporation
Corporate Public Relations Division
1 Toyota-Cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture 471-8571 Japan
Map to Toyota Kaikan
Hours - Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 to 17:00 (Excluding year-end and New Year holidays, the May Golden Week holidays, and summer holidays)
Admission - FREE
Length of tour Approximately 30 to 90 minutes (regular tour program)
Languages used in the exhibits and audio-visual presentations: Japanese, English, and Chinese



The Toyota Kaikan Exhibition Hall features exhibits and audio-visual presentations that illustrate Toyota's vision of enriching society through car manufacturing, as well as its most advanced car manufacturing technologies. While this isn't a museum with old Toyotas, it is an interesting place to visit. Exhibits include Hybrid Technology & the Environment, Safety and Mobility concepts, Production Systems, Social Contributions, Motorsports, Showroom with the latest Toyota & Lexus models, and the Toyota Theater with the Toyota Partner Robots.



Toyota Kaikan Exhibition Hall website, English - LINK
Toyota Kaikan Exhibition Hall website, Japanese - LINK

TOYOTA MOTOR HONSHA PLANT TOUR


Honsha Factory Plant tours are available and are free of charge. Reservations are required.

Address:
Toyota Motor Corporation
Corporate Public Relations Division
1 Toyota-Cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture 471-8571 Japan
TEL:
(country code:81)
(0)565-29-3355 (Japanese)
(0)565-23-3922 (English)
Fax: [phone]

(Reservation desk is open from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

1) Operating days: Monday through Friday (including national holidays, excluding year-end and New Year holidays, the May holidays, and summer holidays)
* Congestion is expected in October and November due to elementary school field trips.
(2) Period of application: Applications are accepted from three months in advance until two weeks in advance.
(3) Tour duration: Please refer to "Plant Tour Information" explained below.
(4) Tour available in Japanese or English.
(5) Method of application: Please telephone us first, then mail or fax your application

Information to include in your written confirmation of reservation: Visiting date/time, name of your group, a list of visitors' names, number of visitors, the name of group organizer, contact information (telephone-fax number, e-mail address, telephone number of hotel during your stay in Japan), number of buses, etc.

Toyota Motor Honsha Plant Tour information - LINK

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
1-35, Noritake Shinmachi 4-chome, Nishi-ku, Nagoya 451-0051 Japan
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Email - [e-mail]
Hours - 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Admission until 4:30 p.m. The restaurant is open until 9:00 p.m.) Closed Mondays (Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday), year-end, and New Year's holidays.
Admission - 500 yen



The Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology was established jointly by the 13 companies that make up the Toyota Group. The Museum is located at the site of the former Toyoda Spinning & Weaving Co., Ltd headquarters plant, which was the place where the Toyota Group had its beginning. The building was thus preserved as a valuable industrial resource.



The museum is divided into two major exhibition areas - the Textile Machinery Pavilion, and the Automobile Pavilion. The museum contains as many as 4000 exhibition pieces - dynamic displays of original equipment, actual demonstrations by operators, instructive videos, and more. The exhibits provide an easy-to-understand introduction to the concept of gmaking things.h Visitors can review the history of spinning and weaving technology and the development of textile machine technology, and an introduction to automotive mechanisms and component parts as well as the history of automotive and manufacturing technology from the beginning of the business to the present.

There is also a Library, Restaurant, Museum Cafe, and Museum Shop.

Also located on the museum grounds is the Toyota Group Building (the completely restored, former head office of Toyoda Spinning & Weaving Co., Ltd., originally constructed in 1925, presents the history of the Toyota Group along with a display of Sakichi and Kiichiro Toyodafs personal belongings and papers) and the Toyoda Shokai Office (Sakichi Toyoda established the Toyoda Shokai Office in 1902 as a company for inventing, researching and developing the automatic loom. This building itself was built in 1905 and was both the residence and the work place for Sakichi, the place where he devoted all his time and energy into developing the automatic loom).



Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology website, English - LINK
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology website, Japanese - LINK

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

AMLUX
3-3-5, East Ikebukuro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 170-8447
TEL: [phone]
Hours: 11:00 - 19:00 - Closed Mondays



AMLUX is the Toyota Auto Salon AMLUX. This is one of the largest automobile showrooms in the world, and it was first built some 20 years ago. AMLUX is a way for Toyota to "consult with customers about car purchases," and it is also a way for Toyota "to collect customer information, including frank opinions on exterior design, interior furnishings, and features, etc., which are relayed to the relevant divisions of Toyota."

The AMLUX showroom is spread out over 7 floors, and each floor carries a theme of sorts. The 1st Floor is at street level; above it are 3 more display floors, and below are the basement levels. There are actually 5 main display floors, plus the parking/car rental area of the basement, level B2F, and the AMLUX Hall on the 5th floor which is only used for special events.

The street level entrance is on 1F, the First Floor, this is the main Information Floor where you will be introduced to TOYOTA's ideas for the future and how they are being realized. It is a fun place to experience the new TOYOTA - there is an Information Counter, Hybrid Wonderland, F1 Cube (with the latest information on F1 racing), the Motor Sports Cube, the Safety Simulator & Safety Cube, and the AMLUX Theater. Each of the other floors is dedicated to the various Toyota vehicle themes - level B1F is the visitor-participation floor, and is filled fun things to see and do; level 2F Recreational Vehicles and Welcab; level 3F Urban Vehicles (sporty vehicles to family cars and compacts) and the Car Lifestyle Shop: AMLUX Collection; level 4F The Excellent Quality (Luxury cars). Each floor has a centrally located Consultation Counter where visitors can obtain the latest brochures and dIscuss the vehicles with the courteous staff.



AMLUX website, English - LINK
AMLUX website, Japanese - LINK

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

MEGA WEB
MEGA WEB Aomi 1-chome, Koto-ku Tokyo 135-0064
Contact us at: 03-3599-0808
Hours:
TOYOTA CITY SHOWCASE - 11:00am - 9:00pm
TOYOTA UNIVERSAL DESIGN SHOWCASE - 11:00am - 7:00pm
HISTORY GARAGE - 11:00am - 9:00pm
RIDE ONE - 11:00am - 8:00pm

MEGA WEB is another one of Toyota's super showrooms. This facitlity is often advertised as an automotive amusement park. The MEGA WEB slogan is "Look, Ride, Feel – Car Theme Park"
The three main pavilions of MEGA WEB are spread out over the Pallet Town complex and includes the TOYOTA CITY SHOWCASE, the TOYOTA UNIVERSAL DESIGN SHOWCASE, and the HISTORY GARAGE. (Pallet Town also includes the VENUS FORT shopping center)



TOYOTA CITY SHOWCASE - Look and learn about Toyota's new models on display here in this spacious exhibition hall. Experience for yourself Toyota's new technology showcased in the hybrid and racing cars. New car announcements and motorsport events are also held here. Features include:

• MOTOR SPORTS SQUARE - Meet the racing machines, drivers and technology that Toyota features in the F1 and other motorsports. Experience racing for yourself in a racing simulator.
  
• MEGA THEATER - Experience Fuji Speedway racing action in this motion simulator attraction.
  
• MEGA STAGE - Various events featuring cars, music and sports take place on this stage.
  
• HYBRID WONDERLAND - Starting with the hybrid concept, let's enjoy learning about various hybrids, including hybrid cars
  
• BRAND-NEW ZONE - Toyota's newest model color and grade variations are displayed. Check them out in your favorite car body color.
  
• DESIGN SITE - Get a hands-on look at Toyota design in this spacious exhibit area featuring concept cars.
  
• RIDE ONE - Experience the comfort of your favorite Toyota car on this 1.3km, 2-lap test course linking the 3 pavilions. Select a car from the Toyota lineup. You can take your time and get a feel for the car of your choice on a test course.
  
• Car consultation counter - Head this way after test driving a new car! A Car Consultation Counter is on floors 1 and 2. Get answers to your questions about car color, trunk space, riding comfort and Welcab (vehicles for disabled drivers) operation, with actual cars to look at. You can also get recommendations for a car that meets your lifestyle.
  
• RIDE ONE CAFE - Take a break with a cappuccino or a meal in the Ride One Cafe as you wait to test drive a car.
  
• EURO SPORTS - This shop features motorsports related goods. Kids and adults can enjoy discovering hard-to-find items.

TOYOTA UNIVERSAL DESIGN SHOWCASE - There are lots of opportunities to notice and to think about the way things are. This showroom offers you an opportunity to notice for yourself the importance of Universal Design, a design approach that strives to accommodate the differences in the ways individuals use a product. TOYOTA Universal Design Showcase: a place where we can all share ideas about Universal Design. TOYOTA Universal Design Showcase gives everyone a chance to find out how interesting and widespread Universal Design is. LINK

HISTORY GARAGE - Take a nostalgic trip back to a town where historic cars from the 1950's to 1970's are on display. See thrilling Toyota action scenes in the Grand Prix Garage, where history comes alive. LINK
Features include:

• GP Archive - Take a walk through history as you look at the racing car replicas.
  
• GP Memorial Lounge - Relax in this lounge, surrounded by portraits of famous drivers from years past.
  
• Team TOYOTA Pit - Here you can feel the aggressive atmosphere of the race track and learn about Toyota's motorsports activities.
  
• ALESSANDRO NANNINI CAFE - For the first time in Japan, an Italian cafe created by former F1 driver Alessandro Nannini.
  
• Grease GPS - Find motorsports racing car models in this miniature car shop.
  
• RESTORE PIT - See the actual restoration work on a historically famous car by maestros.
  
• HISTORY CAR COLLECTION - Many noted vehicles which built the golden age automobiles in 50's to the 70's.
  
• GREASE - A shop and gallery space housing about 3000 miniature cars and a great variety of car related book collections.
  
• BONNIE'S BAR - Take a trip back to the American 50's and 60's in this nostalgic bar where you can enjoy pasta and curry.
  

MEGA WEB website, English - LINK
MEGA WEB website, Japanese - LINK

[toyotageek]

UNITED STATES

TOYOTA USA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

DETAILS COMING SOON

[toyotageek]

GERMANY

GERMAN TOYOTA MUSEUM

DETAILS COMING SOON

[toyotageek]

SWITZERLAND

SWISS TOYOTA MUSEUM

DETAILS COMING SOON

[toyotageek]

JAPAN

MAEHARA 20TH MUSEUM AND GALLERY

DETAILS COMING SOON



MAEHARA 20TH website, Japanese only - LINK