Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum

The Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum is a biographical museum in Tokyo dedicated to the celebrated Japanese novelist and his work during the early 20th century. It displays a reconstructed living room from his final residence alongside books, manuscripts, and personal possessions that reflect how he spent his writing life.

The site was once Soseki's residence, Soseki-Sanbo, where he wrote significant literary works before the building was destroyed during World War Two. The museum was later established at the same location to preserve the author's legacy and connection to the place.

The writer was known for his affection toward cats, and this fondness appears throughout the exhibition in unexpected ways. Visitors notice feline references woven into the display design, revealing a personal dimension of his creative mind.

The museum is easily accessible by public transport and sits in a quiet neighborhood near other cultural sites. Visitors should allow time to explore the exhibition at a comfortable pace and notice the small details throughout each room.

A stone memorial dedicated to cats sits behind the museum, honoring the author's deep connection to these animals in his writing. This unexpected feature at a literary museum reveals how personal passions wove through the writer's creative work.

Location: Waseda-Minamichō

Inception: September 24, 2017

Architects: Masayuki Irie

Official opening: September 24, 2017

Address: 東京都新宿区早稲田南町7

Website: https://soseki-museum.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.70392,139.72547

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:02