Chinsekikan, Japan’s hall of curious rocks
Museum-lovers or just curious travellers come across various uniquely themed museums. These are definitely not on a list of must see art or history museums.
One such museum located in Chichibu, two hours away from Tokyo. It showcases various uniquely shaped rocks with faces on them. The museum was started by Shozo Hazama an avid rock collector, who sadly passed away in 2010. The museum began with his humble rock collection that eventually grew to hundreds of uniquely-shaped rocks. The only criteria Shozo had for his collection was that the rocks should be naturally formed and not altered by any artificial source.
The museum showcases many unique ‘faces’ including celebrity look-a-likes like Elvis Presley and even a few popular video game and pop culture characters. There are many rocks that have no names, so visitors are welcome to name them.
Address: 764-6 Kamikagemori, Chichibu, Saitama 369-1872, Japan
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Chichibu Chinsekikan (Hall of Curious Rocks), 764-6 Kamikagemori, Chichibu, Saitama, Japan
- Coordinates
- 35.981356, 139.066973
- Access
- The museum is at 764-6 Kamikagemori, about a 15-minute walk from Kagemori Station on the Chichibu Railway. It is a small, owner-run museum; if the entrance is closed, a July 2026 visitor report says a sign asks visitors to call for assistance. Check the museum’s Instagram for temporary closures or call before traveling.
- Admission
- ¥500 for middle-school age and older; ¥200 for elementary-school children; preschool children free (fee notice from the museum director, July 2023; adult price reconfirmed by a July 2026 visitor).
- Time needed
- Allow about 30 minutes, based on visitor reports; no official visit-duration estimate is published.
- Opening hours
- A July 2026 visitor report lists 10:00–17:00 and Tuesday closure. Temporary closures can occur; the museum directs visitors to its Instagram for current notices, so check ahead.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-27
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-27
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Hi. I am also a stone face collector and would love to share some pics with Ms. Yoshiko Hayama. Are you aware of any way to contact her? Thank you.
I am also a face rock collector and I am in WA state. I had the same idea to contact the museum to share pics of my collection so far as well. I wish I could go to the museum!
i have a rock unlike anything else you probably will ever see again if you would like to see it i can send you a picture of it if you would like
Museum of Charming Stones
764-6 Kamikagemori, Chichibu, Saitama 369-1872, Japan
+81 494-24-7288