Tendo City Shogi Museum

Shogi (Japanese chess) is gaining popularity as a result of Sota Fujii's exciting breakthrough. Tendo City is a shogi mecca, producing over 90% of all shogi boards and pieces in Japan. Tsume-shogi moves are depicted on the station plaza and sidewalks, and bridges and manholes are also decorated with shogi pieces.

The Tendo Shogi Museum is on the first floor of Tendo Station and houses an impressive collection, such as a Tai Shogi, a 25 x 25 square with 354 pieces, as well as a chaturanga from ancient northern India, the origin of shogi. A variety of shogi pieces made by artisans are also on display, some of those used in title matches could be very expensive. The museum shop sells a variety of shogi-themed items that make great souvenirs.

The museum is also dedicated to promoting shogi. The Tendo Shogi Koryukan, next to the museum, allows visitors to play shogi for free.

The “Tendo Sakura Matsuri” (cherry blossom festival) in April is one of the most popular festivals in Tendo. The festival features “Ningen Shogi” (human shogi) played by master shogi players using people dressed up in armor or kimono as living shogi pieces.