What other travelers are saying about Kagawa Gloves Museum
A small yet informative museum about Higashikagawa’s overlooked history of glove manufacturing. It’s free and self-guided. There’s QR codes that will lead you to explanations in English, Chinese and Korean. The staff at the glove shop are very knowledgeable about the history and the different manufacturers in the area. There’s some good deals on gloves and staff can help you find your size.
I really enjoyed it!
I was driving and happened to come to a stop at a traffic light when I saw the sign and thought it looked interesting! So I popped in.
They had a wide selection of athletes' gloves...
They had gloves worn by facing athlete Ota, golfer Miyazato Ai, ski jumper Funaki, and Hanshin's Kanemoto, among others. I also learned about the history of gloves. And while it says they have a glove outlet, they also sell bags and socks.
The parking lot is large.
Visited in November 2025.
During a car camping trip, I was attracted by a facility with a name I'd never heard of, so I decided to drop in.
Admission is free and the exhibition space is small, but they have a wide range of gloves on display, from gloves used by famous athletes to gloves used by firefighters, wedding gloves, and gloves made in the early Showa period.
There are also sewing machines from that time.
The glove outlet also has a wide range, from wool and leather, and for sports to gardening.
I'd never thought of Kagawa as a place known for gloves, but I had no idea that it has a 90% share of the market, and I think it should be more well-known.
It is the only glove manufacturing town in Japan, producing gloves from OEMs of famous sports manufacturers. They also produce gloves from world-famous manufacturers. The museum shop has an outlet sign, but it's probably not an outlet. They're selling them cheaply because they don't go through the manufacturer, or because they don't carry the manufacturer's brand.
A local person took me around.
You can learn more about gloves.
I found it fascinating.
I'm not sure if you can enter at any time, but you were free to look around.
Entry to the gallery is free, making it an accessible attraction for all visitors. The museum operates as a cultural and educational facility to showcase the region's glove manufacturing heritage without charging admission fees. However, visitors should budget for potential purchases at the outlet store, which sells locally-made gloves and leather goods.
The museum offers a comprehensive look at Japan's glove manufacturing history. Visitors can observe the glove manufacturing process in a renovated glove factory that was in use until around 1998, featuring retro old tools and sewing machines. The exhibits include gloves worn by famous sports players, examples made from various materials, and historical manufacturing equipment. Guests can also personalize gloves on-site with decorative flowers and other materials to create unique souvenirs.
Higashikagawa City holds over 90% of Japan's domestic glove production market share, making it the undisputed center of Japanese glove manufacturing. Almost all batting gloves, golf gloves, and similar products used by professional athletes are manufactured by companies in this city. The industry represents over 120-130 years of local craftsmanship, with skills and traditions passed down through generations.
The gallery building is a renovated glove factory that was actually in operation until around 1998. This authentic setting provides visitors with a genuine glimpse into the working conditions and environment where gloves were traditionally manufactured. The preserved vintage equipment, old sewing machines, and factory layout offer an immersive experience that connects visitors directly to the industrial heritage of the region.
Yes, the museum features an outlet store where visitors can purchase original brand gloves made by local manufacturers. The gift shop offers gloves as souvenirs, and visitors can even personalize them on the spot with decorative materials. This provides an opportunity to take home authentic, locally-made products that represent the craftsmanship and quality that has made Higashikagawa famous throughout Japan.
