Photo: Bariston / CC BY-SA 4.0This is where the Toyota story starts, and it starts with looms. Sakichi Toyoda made a power loom of wood and iron in 1896, which the museum calls Japan's first. In 1911 he built a red-brick pilot plant here in Sako to develop automatic looms. His Type G of 1924 changed shuttles without stopping, and in 1929 he sold the patent to Platt Brothers of the UK. His son Kiichiro took the family into cars, and Toyota Motor Co. was established in 1937.
The Toyota Group companies opened the museum in that brick plant in June 1994. The government listed the building as Heritage of Industrial Modernization in 2007. It has two halls, the Textile Machinery Pavilion and the Automobile Pavilion. It is one stop from Meitetsu Nagoya, it is open on the Tuesday call when the railway museum at Kinjo Pier is shut, and it is under a roof from end to end.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Sako (栄生) is one stop from Meitetsu Nagoya. The museum's directions are for local trains, so take a local.
- On Tuesday 10 November the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park at Kinjo Pier is closed. This museum is open, so it is the industrial swap for that day.
- On the 06:30 arrival on Saturday 14 November, eat breakfast at Nagoya Station first. The museum opens at 9:30; Yabaton's station branch opens at 7:00 and Komeda's morning service runs to 11:00.
- The Me~guru sightseeing bus stops at the main entrance. It runs Tuesday to Sunday; the 1-day pass is ¥500.
- A taxi from Nagoya Station takes about 5 minutes, which saves the change of trains on the way back if time is short.
It is one stop from Meitetsu Nagoya, it is open on the Tuesday call when the railway museum at Kinjo Pier is shut, and it is under a roof from end to end.
Guided days from Nagoya
Booked before you sail — there is no tour desk at the pier. Booking through these links supports the site.
5.0★ · 99 reviewsNagoya Highlight Tour guided by a friendly local
From US$116.
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4.9★ · 63 reviewsNagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
From US$142.
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4.9★ · 47 reviewsNagoya Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
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Why we list it →More in Nagoya
Spot guideNagoya Castle and the Hommaru Palace
The rebuilt palace is open, the 1959 keep is closed, and the fee is now ¥1,000
Open the guide →
Spot guideAtsuta Jingu and the Kusanagi-kan
The shrine of the imperial sword, a museum of 450 others, and kishimen in the grounds
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Spot guideOsu Kannon and the Osu streets
A temple moved here in 1612 and some 1,200 shops and restaurants around it
Open the guide →Questions people ask here
Is the Toyota Commemorative Museum open on Tuesday 10 November 2026?
Yes. It closes on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday) and at New Year, so it is open on 10, 14 and 28 November. Hours are 9:30–17:00, last admission 16:30.
How do I get to the Toyota Commemorative Museum from Kinjo Pier?
Walk or take the shuttle, if one runs, to Kinjo-futo Station. Take the Aonami Line to Nagoya (24 min, ¥360), then Meitetsu one stop to Sako on a local train and walk 3 minutes. About 1 hour each way by our estimate. A taxi from the berth is about 17.4 km, roughly ¥7,700 by our estimate before traffic.
How much is the Toyota Commemorative Museum and how long do I need?
¥1,000 for adults. Allow about two hours for both pavilions, by our estimate.