Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art, museum in Japan
The Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art occupies a former elementary school building in the small village of Hachi, transformed into a space showcasing picture book art and stories. Multiple classrooms have been converted into themed exhibition rooms, creating a storybook-like environment where visitors walk through colorful displays and interactive spaces.
The museum was created when the local community and picture book artist Seizo Tashima converted the former elementary school into a cultural space. The transformation was inspired by the story 'Gakko wa Karappo ni Naranai', meaning 'The School Will Never Be Empty', reflecting a desire to preserve the building and keep it alive.
The museum celebrates picture books and the art of storytelling through interactive spaces. Visitors encounter playful characters hidden throughout the building, making imagination and discovery central to the experience.
The museum operates from late April through late November and is about a 20-minute drive from Tokamachi Station by car. It closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except for holidays and offers parking for approximately 40 vehicles nearby.
A goat named Shizuka and her kids live on the museum grounds, named after a character in Seizo Tashima's picture books. This living presence blends the artistic world of the museum with real nature, creating an unexpected encounter between art and animals.
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