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Discover the Japanese Soroban: The Ancient Secret to Lightning-Fast Math!
In Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture—one of Japan’s leading producers of soroban (Japanese abacuses)—visitors can enjoy a wide range of hands-on experiences related to this traditional tool.
Inside the Ono City Traditional Industry Hall, you’ll find the Soroban Museum, which showcases a large collection of historical abacuses, including rare models from both Japan and abroad. Visitors can learn about the evolution of the soroban, and even try activities like placing beads into the wooden frames, an experience called tamaire.
For a more personalized experience, head to Soroban Village, where you can craft your own original abacus. Choose from five bead colors and freely combine them to create a one-of-a-kind design. The shop also sells unique accessories, keychains, and educational toys made from soroban beads—perfect souvenirs from a town that celebrates abacus culture.
After exploring Ono City, you’re just a 40-minute drive from two of the Kansai region’s most iconic destinations: the historic hot spring town of Arima Onsen and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle.
Arima Onsen features several notable ryokan inns, including one with over 700 years of history. This particular inn offers guests the chance to soak in kinsen (golden hot spring) waters in three types of public baths. English and Chinese-speaking staff are available, making it a welcoming choice for international travelers.
Near Himeji Castle, there is a beautifully renovated traditional Japanese house that now serves as an inn. Blending modern comfort with the elegance of old Japan, this historic home offers a quiet and immersive stay within the preserved townscape—an ideal retreat for travelers seeking a culturally rich and memorable experience.
One convenient way to reach Ono City is by renting a car.
– Rental cars available around Shin-Kobe Station
– Rental cars available around Himeji Station
There are various types of soroban, but the “one-touch” style, which lets you reset the beads with the push of a button, is especially popular for its speed and ease of use.
If the beads are made from hard birch wood, the soroban is also more durable and can be used for many years with minimal wear over time.