This former elementary school is located in Hachi village which is surrounded by mountains. Seizo Tashima, a picture book artist, transformed this school after its closure into a small museum. He created a story to accompany his new museum called “The School Will Never Become Empty”, featuring the last three students attending this school called Yuki, Yuta, and Kenta. Seizo Tashima even imagined monsters living in the closed school. Visitors can experience the story for themselves as they explore the space of this walk-in picture book museum. We encourage you to come and meet the three last students as well as the monsters living in the school including Toperatoto, the laughter-eating monster, and Doradoraban, the destroyer of dreams!
Each of the former classrooms in this building have been uniquely renovated, including “the room with grass” and “the room for reading a picture book”. Events and workshops are held here throughout the year as well as special exhibitions from spring to autumn.
This museum regularly hosts musical concerts and live performances as well as workshops suitable for families, inviting a variety of guest performers and artists. Visitors are welcome to join seasonal events that are co-organised with the local community, such as the Autumn Festival, Harvest Festival, and Snow Festival.
Open hours | Apr-Sept 10:00-17:00, Oct-Nov 10:00-16:00 Closed on Wed and Thurs Closed end Nov-end Apr |
---|---|
Tel | 025-752-0066 |
Admission | Adult JPY800, Junior high school students and younger JPY300 |
Official Website | http://ehontokinomi-museum.jp |
Address | 2310-1 Sanada Kou, Tokamachi-city, Niigata Prefecture |