Karuizawa Picture Book Museum, Picture book museum in Nagakura, Japan.
The Karuizawa Picture Book Museum is a museum dedicated to illustrated children's books set within a forest landscape. It features multiple exhibition halls, a library with western publications, and garden spaces that flow through the natural surroundings.
The museum opened in 1990 to preserve and showcase picture books that arrived in Japan from western countries over several centuries. It evolved to become a center focused on this unique cultural exchange between regions.
The name reflects its location in Karuizawa, a mountain resort area. Visitors can experience how picture books are displayed alongside natural settings, creating a space where storytelling and the forest environment blend together.
The site is best explored on foot, with paths leading through forest and garden areas. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as some paths are natural and may be uneven.
The collection holds around 1800 western picture books, one of the largest collections of its kind outside the west. A special room dedicated to Peter Rabbit reveals how deeply Japanese audiences connected with this western character.
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