Yanmer Museum

The Yanmar Museum is an interactive museum opened in Nagahama in 2013, the hometown of Magokichi Yamaoka, founder of Yanmar, a company famous for agricultural machinery. Built around the concept "Let’s Try It! Exciting Future Challenge," the museum is designed for learning through hands-on play—seeing, touching, and experiencing. Right after entering, you’ll find the "Wakuwaku! Challenge Theater," where you can look back on Yamaoka’s life and achievements. Highlights include athletic activities and bouldering that get both your mind and body moving, plus experience zones where you can operate a real power shovel or steer a pleasure boat. The museum also features a relaxing foot bath that uses waste heat from a generator, offering a soothing break while viewing a biotope that recreates Lake Biwa’s natural environment. At the cafe restaurant "Premium Marche BIWAKO," you can enjoy freshly made rice balls and dishes featuring local Shiga ingredients. The museum is about a 10-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station, and on weekends and public holidays, a free shuttle bus also runs from in front of Nagahama Station.