The city of Imabari has a 120-year history of towel production and is the leading production area in Japan. There are almost 200 factories in the city to process and dye cotton yarn, and make towels. The Towel Museum is a building complex with a working factory, galleries, eateries, and shops where you can buy towels, toweling accessories, and regional souvenirs.

The main exhibition space has displays of intricately designed towels as well as a mock factory floor with functioning machinery that illustrates the production process. Creative and colorful installations made from towels or spools of yarn make for fun photo opportunities. A permanent gallery is dedicated to the world of Moomins, the popular storybook characters from Finland. Statues of the characters can also be found in the Museum’s strolling garden.