All language & literature museums to visit in Japan

Celebrate the power of words at 16 language and literature museums in Japan. These museums explore the history of languages, literary works, and the lives of authors.

Are you a literature enthusiast? Here are the best language and literature museums in Japan

  1. Kyoto International Manga Museum1

    Kyoto International Manga Museum

     Kyoto
    The Kyoto International Manga Museum is situated in Nakagyō-ku, a district in Kyoto, Japan. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique cultural experience for tourists interested in manga and Japanese culture.
  2. Ad Museum Tokyo2

    Ad Museum Tokyo

     Minato
    Tokyo boasts a plethora of museums that document nearly everything you can think of. This museum, opened in 2002, definitely belongs among the more unusual ones - it maps adverts in Japan from as early as the Edo period until today. In addition to that, the museum also aims to promote research of
  3. Hiroshima City Manga Library3

    Hiroshima City Manga Library

     Hiroshima
    All manga lovers will be excited! Go through more than 100,000 pieces of manga related materials or borrow manga magazines.
  4. Kamakura Museum of Literature4

    Kamakura Museum of Literature

     Kamakura
    This small literary museum is devoted to the city's writers, their works and life. The exhibition includes various manuscripts, book editions, and personal objects. Be sure to also visit the adjacent garden.
  5. Izumi Kyoka Memorial Museum5

    Izumi Kyoka Memorial Museum

     Kanazawa
    A small museum commemorating the work of the famous local writer Izumi Kaga.
  6. Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum6

    Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum

     Kanazawa
    This museum is dedicated to the life and work of a Japanese novelist, Shūsei Tokuda.
  7. Hōsa Library7

    Hōsa Library

     Nagoya
    The Hōsa Bunko houses a diverse collection of materials, including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean classics dating back to the 13th century. Additionally, it boasts a vast array of maps, featuring Nagoya city maps, Japan maps, world maps, and maps of residences and gardens from the 17th to 18th century. These resources provide a comprehensive view of the region's history and cultural evolution.
  8. Kanazawa Literary Hall8

    Kanazawa Literary Hall

     Kanazawa
    This place is great for all book lovers - apart from a small library, there is also a salon which is often used for poetry reading and other cultural events.
  9. Muro Saisei Kinenkan Museum9

    Muro Saisei Kinenkan Museum

     Kanazawa
    This is the birthplace of the famous Japanese poet Saisei Muro. The house is surrounded by a tranquil moss garden.
  10. Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa-Bunko Museum10

    Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa-Bunko Museum

     Yokohama
    The Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa-Bunko Museum, also known as Kanazawa Bunko, is situated in the Kanazawa Ward of Yokohama, Japan. This museum is a significant cultural site that houses a vast collection of traditional Japanese and Chinese art objects, many of which date back to the Kamakura period.
  11. Hokkaidō Museum of Literature11

    Hokkaidō Museum of Literature

     Sapporo
    Learn about Japanese literature and its most important authors and read about private life of popular novelists who come from Hokkaido.
  12. 12

    Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture

     Kyoto
    The Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture, also known as SAMAC, is located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. The museum's focus is on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, an anthology of waka poems compiled by Fujiwara no Teika in the 13th century. This anthology is a significant part of Japanese literature and culture, making the museum a fascinating destination for those interested in these areas.
  13. 13

    Junichi Watanabe Literature Museum

     Sapporo
    Discover the world of Japanese literature. Watanabe Jun'ichi wrote more than 50 novels and won several prizes.
  14. Setagaya Literary Museum14

    Setagaya Literary Museum

     Tokyo
    The Setagaya Literary Museum is located in Minami-Karasuyama, Setagaya, Tokyo. It is a city-owned institution, managed by the Setagaya Cultural Foundation. The museum is dedicated to the art and literature of the region, providing a unique insight into the cultural heritage of Setagaya.
  15. Osaka Prefectural Museum of Kamigata Comedy and Performing Arts15

    Osaka Prefectural Museum of Kamigata Comedy and Performing Arts

     Osaka Prefecture
    If you are interested in traditional Japanese drama, do not miss this museum, that provides exposition of costumes and other stage items from Kamigata comedies and Rakugo storytelling.
  16. The Gotoh Museum16

    The Gotoh Museum

     Setagaya
    The Gotoh Museum, located in the Kaminoge district of Setagaya on the southwestern outskirts of Tokyo, Japan, is a private museum that offers a unique cultural experience. It was opened in 1960 and houses a collection of classical Japanese and Chinese art, including paintings, writings, crafts, and archaeological objects. The museum also features a small selection of Korean art.