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
- Privately owned small museum at 764-6 Kamikagemori, about a 15-minute walk from Kagemori Station. A July 2026 visitor reports a door sign asking visitors to call when the owner is away; check the museum’s Instagram for temporary closures or call ahead.
- Admission
- The museum director’s posted fee is ¥500 for middle-school age and older, ¥200 for elementary-school pupils, and free for preschoolers. A visitor in July 2026 reports paying ¥500. Atlas Obscura still shows an older ¥400 adult price, so check the museum’s notice or ask before visiting.
- Time needed
- Allow around 30 minutes based on visitor reports; the museum does not publish an official visit duration.
- Best season
- No preferred season is published. This is an indoor museum, so plan for a day when it is open; the owner posts temporary closures on Instagram.
- Opening hours
- A firsthand visit in July 2026 reports 10:00–17:00, closed Tuesdays. The owner says Instagram carries the latest temporary-closure notices; check it or call before setting out. Atlas Obscura lists the same daily window and Tuesday closure but is older.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-15
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-15
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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