[Fukuyama City] The only one in the world! Let's go to the Paper Airplane Museum, where over 400 original models are lined up

Do you remember your childhood, watching with excitement as a paper airplane made from a single sheet of paper soared through the air? You probably tried all sorts of things, wondering how to make it fly further or stay in the air longer.

There is a museum in Fukuyama City that captivates not only children who love paper airplanes but adults as well. It is called the "Paper Airplane Museum."

I visited this one-of-a-kind paper airplane museum.

The moment I stepped inside, the sheer number of paper airplanes lined up caught my eye. I was prepared to see paper airplanes since it is a paper airplane museum, but it was still breathtaking.
I was amazed by the variety of sizes and colorful paper airplanes.

When you hear "paper airplane," you probably think of shapes made only of flat surfaces, like the "navel plane" or the "squid plane."

The person who first invented three-dimensional paper airplanes in the world, which break out of the flat world and have curved surfaces like real airplanes, is Takuo Toda, the director of the Paper Airplane Museum and chairman of theOrigami Airplane Association.

There are even giant paper airplanes about the size of a child's body.

A ring-shaped paper airplane. I remember watching a child make one and being surprised, thinking, "Is this a paper airplane? Can this ring fly? Wow, it flies!"

This is the first time I've seen a butterfly shape. Does this fly too?

"It flies. Just like other paper airplanes, the center of gravity is toward the front. And because the wings are wide and strong, it glides like a glider. The slight elevator at the back of the wings creates lift, which makes the paper airplane fly."

This was explained by Keito Kurosawa, Assistant Chief of the New Business Development and Design Office at Castem Co., Ltd.

Hmm? Castem?

That's right. Actually, Director Toda's other role is as the Representative Director of Castem Co., Ltd. The Paper Airplane Museum is located about a two-minute drive from the Castem headquarters.

"On the first floor, we exhibit about 400 types of origami airplanes designed by the director. The second floor displays works by enthusiasts who study cut-paper airplanes," says Kurosawa.

A different world unfolds on the second floor.

Cut-paper airplanes floating in the air.

Director Toda is the Guinness World Record holder for the longest indoor paper airplane flight time of 29.2 seconds. Along with his certificate, the paper airplane that set the world record is on display.

This is the paper airplane that flew for 29.2 seconds. This record, achieved on December 19, 2010, has yet to be broken.

Director Toda's next dream is to launch a paper airplane from space toward Earth. Please be sure to check out the exhibit on the progress of that project.

On the first floor, you can also purchase books on paper airplanes and paper specifically for paper airplanes.

A recommended souvenir is the official competition paper from the Paper Airplane Association. It is an eco-friendly paper made from sugarcane bagasse that naturally returns to the soil. It feels like it would fly well if you folded it with this.

If you look closely at the Hina dolls and May dolls displayed on the bookshelf, aren't they also paper airplanes?
The arrowheads and the carp streamers are all tiny paper airplanes.

Wanting to try folding them at home, I bought a book that explains in detail the principles of paper airplanes and how to adjust them.

When you make a purchase at the shop, you can try your luck at a lottery. There are no losers.
Wait a minute, isn't that too generous?

I won an official Origami Airplane Association book that is not for sale. When I opened the pages after returning home, I found it was a valuable book that contained not only folding instructions but also the passion that Director Toda has for paper airplanes.

I hope everyone who loves paper airplanes will get their hands on it.

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, the "Flight Duration Championship" will be held at the Toyomatsu Paper Airplane Tower in Jinsekikogen Town. There will also be workshops by certified instructors from the Origami Airplane Association, and prizes that get more luxurious depending on the flight duration are being prepared.

On Saturday, November 9, 2024, the All-Japan Origami Airplane Tournament will be held at Big Rose for the first time in five years.

I learned how deep the world of paper airplanes is.

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