Folk museums of which functions are to collect, storage, display, research and educate local cultural and natural heritage, can contribute to make local people find the values of the countryside, to generate their feelings of pride and attachment to it, and to promote revitalization of rural community.
We analyzed potentials of folk museums on these functions by questionnaires and case studies in Iwate Prefecture. The results are that the folks museums now don't have enough abilities to contribute to revitalization of rural community because of poor management systems, shortage of stuffs and budget, and lack of philosophy.