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All Japan Inuyama Little World Museum of Man

Little World Museum of Man

An anthropological theme park that depicts the cultures of around 20 different countries.

Inuyama, Japan

Added By
Christina Biss
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The entrance to Little World Museum of Man.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
The entrance to Little World Museum of Man.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
A traditional European house.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
A Melanesian mask at Little World.   Yanajin33
In a traditional Japanese dwelling.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
An Alaskan Tlingit bear mask at Little World.   Yanajin33
Traditional artifacts.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
Korean Home   merichard12 / Atlas Obscura User
Little World Museum of Man.   Bariston
Traditional European buildings.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
Artifacts in a house.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
The Burkina Faso Kassena compound.   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
  Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
Turkish Quarter   merichard12 / Atlas Obscura User
A cutout that reads “Ritoruwarudo” — “Little World.”   Chrissy / Atlas Obscura User
The German gift shop at Little World.   Bariston
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About

Little World's path is only about a mile and a half long, but along that short walk are houses from more than 20 different countries. At this open-air theme park, founded in 1970, visitors can travel all around the world in just a few hours.

While most of the houses were painstakingly recreated according to their national style, some were taken directly from their country of origin and relocated to Little World. They represent traditional and indigenous dwellings from different cultures across the globe.

The tent section contrasts the temporary dwellings of the Swedish Sami, American Plains Indians, Moroccan Berbers, Mongolian nomads, and the Kenyan Rendille. An entire Kassena mud compound from Burkina Faso sits nearby. A gorgeous Nepalese Buddhist monastery offers guests a tranquil place to rest on their world tour.

Upon entering the park, visitors can purchase a passport to have stamped at each of the "countries" they visit. The interior details are intricate and authentic, filled with all the items that would be have been found in, for an example, a traditional Italian Alberobello cottage or a Micronesian Yap house.  Some of the houses even have national costumes available to try on for added immersion.

Performers will demonstrate traditional music, dance, and craft workshops. But the best part may be the restaurants, where ethnic cuisine from all of the 20+ countries represented is available, and then some. The African Plaza even offers ostrich and alligator meat.

Related Tags

Open Air Museums Open Air Museums And Collections Museums Collections Cultures And Civilizations Culture Amusement Parks Theme Parks
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Added By

Chrissy

Edited By

Molly McBride Jacobson, merichard12

  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • merichard12

Published

April 21, 2017

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  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g325580-d553828-Reviews-The_Little_World_Museum_of_Man-Inuyama_Aichi_Prefecture_Chubu.html
  • https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/spots/detail/175/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_World_Museum_of_Man
  • https://en.japantravel.com/aichi/little-world/145
Little World Museum of Man
Imai Narusawa 90-48
Inuyama
Japan
35.375782, 137.018451
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Momotaro Shrine

Inuyama, Japan

miles away

Mama Kannon Temple

Komaki, Japan

miles away

Hotei Buddha

Konan, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 111

Nearby Places

Momotaro Shrine

Inuyama, Japan

miles away

Mama Kannon Temple

Komaki, Japan

miles away

Hotei Buddha

Konan, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 111

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