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Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art: A Walk-In Storybook

Step into a living picture book at this unique art museum in Tokamachi, Niigata, where art and imagination come to life in a former school.

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Located in a former elementary school in Tokamachi, Niigata, the Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art immerses visitors in the world of picture books. Artist Seizo Tashima transformed the space into a three-dimensional storybook, featuring characters from his book 'The School Will Never Be Empty'.

A brief summary to Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art

Local tips

  • Check the museum's opening dates, as it's typically closed from late November to late April.
  • Explore the grounds to see the goats and other small creatures living in the biotope.
  • Take your time to explore each classroom and discover the hidden details and characters from the story.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Tokamachi Station (JR Iiyama or Hokuhoku Line), a taxi is the most direct way to reach the museum. The ride takes approximately 20 minutes. Expect to pay around ¥3,000 - ¥4,000 for the taxi fare.

  • Car

    If driving, the museum is about 40 minutes from the Muikamachi Interchange (IC) on the Kanetsu Expressway. Parking is available at the museum. Be aware that during peak seasons, parking may be limited. No tolls are expected on the final approach.

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Discover more about Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art

The Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art offers a unique and enchanting experience for visitors of all ages. Situated in a former elementary school in the village of Hachi, Tokamachi, Niigata, the museum was created by renowned picture book artist Seizo Tashima. Tashima transformed the closed Sanada Elementary School into an immersive art space, bringing to life the story of his picture book, 'The School Will Never Be Empty'. The museum's exhibits incorporate the school's original features, with each classroom uniquely renovated to reflect elements of the story. Visitors can explore the 'Room with Grass' and the 'Room for Reading a Picture Book,' encountering whimsical characters like Toperatoto, a laughter-eating monster, and Doradoraban, the dream crusher. The museum also features a biotope in the abandoned rice field, where Shizuka, a goat from Tashima's picture book, and her kids reside. The museum was launched during the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2009. Tashima uses painted objects of nature, including driftwood and nuts collected from the seashore, to recreate the vibrant life of the school, including students, teachers, and even ghosts.

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