Tendo City Shogi Museum

Overview

The Tendo City Shogi Museum is a recommended spot not only for shogi lovers but also for those interested in history and culture. Tendo City has a long history of shogi piece production and is known as the "Shogi Piece Town," currently holding over 90% of the national market share. It is said that this tradition began in the Edo period when Oda Nobumi, the lord of the Tendo domain, encouraged the production of shogi pieces to alleviate the financial hardship of impoverished samurai, as shogi was popular at the time. At the Tendo City Shogi Museum, you can learn about Tendo's shogi culture, the traditional production process of shogi pieces, and the deep connection between Tendo and shogi. The museum houses numerous valuable documents and exhibits, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of shogi. For example, there are many fascinating exhibits, such as chaturanga (the ancestor of shogi from India), early shogi introduced to Japan, and various types of shogi from around the world. You can also touch the pieces and play shogi, making it an enjoyable spot for people of all ages. If you're a shogi fan, this is a must-visit spot.