Suginami Animation Museum, Animation museum in Kamiogi, Japan.
The Suginami Animation Museum is a two-floor museum in the Ogikubo area of Tokyo dedicated to Japanese animation. Its galleries display original drawings, sketches, and the different steps of the animation process, from early concepts to finished sequences.
The museum opened in 2003 as the first public institution in Japan devoted entirely to animation history. Its creation helped establish animation as a recognized part of the country's creative output, not just entertainment.
The name of the museum reflects where it stands: Suginami is the ward in Tokyo most associated with animation production. Walking through the gallery, visitors can see original drawings and understand how this craft has shaped local identity.
Entry to the museum is free, which makes it easy to include in any visit to the area without planning ahead. It is a short walk from Ogikubo Station, and the galleries are spread across two floors, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
The museum has a hands-on area where visitors can try basic animation exercises themselves, which sets it apart from a purely display-based experience. This approach is aimed at all ages and makes the process of creating animation directly tangible.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
