Nestled in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka — a city famously known as the “City of Music” — the Yamaha Corporate Museum Innovation Road offers a unique, interactive journey through nearly 140 years of musical heritage. Established in 2018 on the historic grounds of Yamaha Corporation, this museum pays tribute to the company’s remarkable legacy in musical innovation, offering visitors the chance to explore its journey since 1887 while creating music in a truly immersive environment.
12 Display Areas of Musical Innovation
The museum is divided into 12 captivating display areas, each offering a distinct perspective on Yamaha’s evolution and its profound impact on the world of sound. The journey begins at the Concept Stage, where visitors are introduced to the groundbreaking ways Yamaha has reimagined music over the years. The Prologue area provides a digital introduction to the company’s origins in 1887, followed by the Craftsmanship Walk, which highlights the intricate blend of traditional craftsmanship and technological ingenuity that has defined Yamaha’s products through the ages.
The Music Instrument Display Area features some of the most iconic musical instruments from history, while the Life Scene zone explores how Yamaha’s creations integrate into daily life. The Digital Library offers an extensive database of its products. For a truly immersive experience, the Super Surround Theater engages visitors with a 108.6-channel sound system and 220-degree wide-screen video, providing a sensory overload of sonic excitement.
The Innovation Road Map traces Yamaha’s 140-year journey of pushing boundaries in the musical world, while the History Walk presents over 200 products, from the company’s earliest models to its cutting-edge contemporary instruments. Meanwhile, the Innovation Lab demonstrates Yamaha’s ongoing advancements in technology and product development, and the Sound Solution Display Area showcases the company’s wide-ranging contributions to every aspect of music and sound production. Virtual Stage offers an immersive virtual video experience, simulating the sensation of attending a live concert.
Create music in your own unique style
One of the museum’s most enchanting features is the opportunity for visitors to actively engage with the instruments on display. Whether you’ve always dreamed of playing the piano or are curious about other musical instruments, this is your chance to create music in an atmosphere of pure inspiration. Experience the grandeur of the CFX Grand Piano, famed for its use in the prestigious Chopin Competition, or try the Bösendorfer Special Model 200, one of only 25 in existence worldwide. Visitors can also enjoy the GB1K, a compact grand piano known for its deep resonance, or the CFIIIS, once played by legendary pianist Sviatoslav Richter during his final visit to Japan.
In addition to these iconic pianos, the museum features a range of other instruments, from guitars and violins to trumpets, clarinets, and even a Miburi — a motion-sensitive device that allows you to create music with hand gestures. For those eager to experience orchestral performance, there’s the chance to conduct a virtual ensemble of wind instruments and percussion, as though leading a live concert. The museum also features the innovative Silent Series, offering a harmonious space where one can practice or play without disrupting others. In addition, a curated selection of enclosed instruments invites guests to immerse themselves in the art of music-making in serene solitude.
Be sure to capture the moments
Each corner of the museum offers a perfect opportunity to preserve your memories through photographs. Don’t miss the chance to snap a picture with the virtual polar bear and her cub, peacefully resting amidst the ambient melodies in the lobby. Adjacent to this serene scene stands a cutting-edge white piano, its digital player morphing with each note played, adding a dynamic touch to your visit.
The YAMAHA Corporate Museum Innovation Road offers complimentary entry from 9.30 – 17.00, excluding Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays (Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 053-460-2010).
For more details, visit: www.yamaha.com/en/about/experience/innovation-road/
Access: From Hamamatsu Station, take the Enshu Line on the private railway and disembark at Hachiman Station, just a two-minute walk away, with clear signage to guide you.
Fly to Tokyo or Nagoya to visit Yamaha Corporate Museum Innovation Road with Thai Airways
