Fukushima Sakura Yūgakusha, Animation museum in Miharu, Japan
Fukushima Sakura Yūgakusha is an animation museum housed in a former school building in Miharu, Japan. It displays original artwork, production materials, and gives a clear look at how anime series are made from start to finish.
The building served as Sakura Junior High School until 2012, when it closed because of declining enrollment. It reopened as a museum in 2015, giving the old school a new purpose.
The museum displays works from Gainax studio and lets visitors understand how Japanese animators develop their craft and artistic style. You can observe the techniques used by the artists who work in this space daily.
The museum spreads across several floors of the former school, so plan enough time and wear comfortable shoes. Exhibits require moving between rooms and floors, but the layout is easy to follow.
Inside the building, an active animation studio called Fukushima Gainax continues to produce new work while the museum is open to visitors. You can watch animators at their desks and see a real production in progress, which is something very few museums offer.
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