About
Standing on the land of Musashino, the Kadokawa Musashino Museum exudes a presence like that of a massive rock emerging from the earth. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, this building features a 61-faced structure woven from about 20,000 granite panels, presenting different expressions depending on the viewing angle and stimulating the imagination of visitors.
Upon entering the museum, the first thing that catches the eye is the “Manga and Light Novel Library” on the first floor. Here, approximately 40,000 light novels and manga published by KADOKAWA are housed, making it known as the library with the largest collection of light novels in Japan. As a space for sharing and developing the worldviews of readers and works, it conveys its appeal through a variety of approaches. (kadcul.com)
Going up to the second floor, there is the “Rock Museum Shop,” which offers unique items that make use of Musashino crafts and the museum’s distinctive structure. Additionally, at the “Kado Café,” with interiors supervised by Kengo Kuma, you can enjoy the original sweet “Oimo Ball” made with sweet potatoes, a specialty of Tokorozawa. Spending time gazing out at the water surface beyond the windows brings peace to visitors. (rurubu.jp)
On the third floor, there is the “EJ Anime Museum,” which introduces Japan’s world-renowned anime culture from a unique perspective, creating a space enjoyable not only for anime fans but also for entertainment enthusiasts.
Stepping onto the fourth floor, you will find “Edit Town – Book Street,” which feels as if you are walking through a city of books. About 25,000 books are arranged along a 50-meter street, selected under the supervision of editorial engineer Seigow Matsuoka according to “nine contexts” for interpreting the world. Additionally, in the “Aramata Wonder Treasure Hall” supervised by natural historian Hiroshi Aramata, a cabinet of curiosities focused on the display of imagination and anima is presented, offering a diverse range of exhibits from the birth of life to mechanical zoetropes. (kadcul.com)
Then, spanning the fourth and fifth floors is the “Bookshelf Theater,” an overwhelming space surrounded by giant bookshelves about eight meters high. KADOKAWA publications and private collections are lined up together, and projection mapping events based on the concept of “playing with books, interacting with books” are regularly held. The experience of sound and images that seem to make the contents of books leap beyond their covers stirs the hearts of visitors. (kadcul.com)
At the “SACULA DINER” on the fifth floor, dishes featuring ingredients from Tokorozawa and other parts of Saitama Prefecture are served, allowing guests to enjoy “Musashino Cuisine” based on the motto of local production for local consumption. In the refined, monochrome-themed interior, you can spend a special moment. (andtrip.jp)
The Kadokawa Musashino Museum, as a completely new concept of a cultural complex that fuses library, art museum, and museum, offers visitors an adventure of knowledge and sensibility. Rooted in the land of Musashino, this museum will continue to captivate many people as a place where past and future, reality and virtual intersect.