Ulaanbaatar, January 3, 2026 /MONTSAME/. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Japan–Mongolia Folk Museum in Toyooka City, Japan, we spoke with Mr. Demberel Sanj, President of the Mongolia–Toyooka Silk Road Friendship Association.

— It is heart-warming to know that a museum showcasing Mongolian heritage and traditions exists in Japan. Who initiated the establishment of this museum and how was it founded? Could you share its history with our readers?

— Since 1985, Tanto Village in Hyogo Prefecture has maintained close relations with Bogd soum of Bayankhongor aimag, the “Gobi” Project, and general education schools in Ulaanbaatar, with the support of Professors Onuki and Imaoka of the Department of Mongolian Studies at Osaka University of Foreign Studies (now merged into Osaka University).
In 1994, when Tanto Village organized an international symposium entitled “Linking the Forest Zone and the Gobi,” more than 40 participants were invited from Mongolia.

At that time, the village approached Mr. Kanatsu Masanobu with a request to organize an exhibition of his ethnographic collections related to Mongolian daily life. While serving at the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia in the early 1990s, Mr. Kanatsu had developed a keen interest in Mongolian ethnology and had collected a substantial number of ethnographic materials, including items from Inner Mongolia. The exhibition reportedly received high praise from specialists.

The then village mayor, Mr. Fukuda Yoshiro (now 105 years old), had long dreamed of establishing a museum or cultural hall in the village. He proposed to Mr. Kanatsu that, should he donate his collection to the village, they would build a museum or similar public facility to make it accessible to the public. Believing it more appropriate for such a collection to be publicly displayed rather than privately kept, Mr. Kanatsu donated his entire collection to Tanto Village.

After overcoming many challenges—including securing approvals, land, and funding—construction of the museum began in December 1995. Mr. Kanatsu personally oversaw the process from start to finish, working from early morning until late at night on the placement and arrangement of exhibits. As a result, a well-designed museum was completed on a spacious site and officially opened in November 1996.

In my view, the establishment of this museum was made possible by the convergence of Mayor Fukuda’s vision and dedication, Mr. Kanatsu’s valuable collection, and the active support of the Japanese people for Mongolia during its democratic and market-economic transition.

— Over the past thirty years, many people must have visited the museum. How many visitors does it receive annually on average?

— Tanto is a sparsely populated village located in a valley surrounded by forested mountains. In 2005, it was merged with four other villages into Toyooka City, which has since provided municipal funding for the museum. From April 1, 2023, to the end of March 2024, a total of 5,675 people reportedly visited the museum. Visitor numbers declined during the pandemic but are now on an upward trend.

— Which exhibits attract the most interest?

— About 20 percent of the exhibits present aspects of ancient Japanese daily life, while the remainder showcase Mongolian history, culture, lifestyle, and the development of Buddhism. Visitors can try on Mongol deels and play traditional knucklebone games (shagai).

The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions lasting two to three months each year. Examples include exhibitions on traditional Mongolian handicrafts, works by painter D. Urtnasan, and paper-cut artist S. Turburam. In November 2025, an exhibition of morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) collections was held. I heard that many visitors have commented that “sitting inside the ger within the museum and talking about Mongolia made the experience even more engaging.”

— It is said that Japanese people planning to travel to Mongolia often visit this museum beforehand.

— Yes. People preparing for travel to Mongolia often visit the museum to learn more about the country. The museum functions not only as an exhibition venue but also as a cultural center introducing Mongolian history, culture, lifestyle, and customs. Since last year, Mongolist Toyo Mizutani, who holds a doctorate in Mongolian history, has been working at the museum, enabling visitors to receive more accurate information about Mongolia.

— It also seems to be a worthwhile destination for Mongolians traveling in the area. What kind of support does it receive from the Mongolian side?

— Approximately 20,000 Mongolians are currently living in Japan, and the museum is located in the Kansai region. Although somewhat remote and not easy to reach, it is the only museum in Japan dedicated exclusively to Mongolia. I hope Mongolians themselves will make the effort to visit it at least once.

— It is said that student exchange programs have expanded in recent years.

— Since the museum’s establishment, Mongolia has sent groups for short- and long-term training, as well as students to local secondary schools. In total, 12 delegations—mainly consisting of schoolchildren—have been received in Toyooka. A similar number of Japanese delegations have visited Mongolia, touring secondary schools and learning about herders’ lives. This exchange, however, largely ceased during the global pandemic.

Last year, the Toyooka–Mongolia Friendship Association was established, headed by Mr. Fukuda Tsuguhisa, son of former village mayor Fukuda Yoshiro, who has been continuously elected to the Toyooka City Assembly for 20 years. Toyooka Mayor Kadoma Takeshi, elected last year, has pledged to support the museum’s activities and student exchange programs. We hope that exchanges involving secondary school students will resume in the near future.

— Finally, do you have any closing remarks?

— In 2023, believing that there was limited awareness of this museum within Mongolia’s Ministry of Culture, I prepared and submitted to the Ministry’s Policy Coordination Department and Foreign Relations Division materials introducing Toyooka City, the history of Mongolia–Tanto (Toyooka) relations, and information on the Japan–Mongolia Folk Museum. Since then, I have attempted to follow up once or twice but received no response.

It is difficult to say how long this wonderful museum will continue to operate. However, I believe that relevant Mongolian institutions could establish contact with Toyooka City, express appreciation for maintaining such a museum, and strengthen existing cooperation. Without incurring major costs, they could also provide moral support by sending photo albums, documentary films, and other content showcasing Mongolia’s recent development and achievements.

— Thank you for the interview.