Historical Background
In 1995, the "Masuda Manga Art Museum" was opened as part of the comprehensive facility "Masuda Fureai Plaza." In 2019, it was renovated and reopened as the "Yokote City Masuda Manga Museum," now dedicated solely to manga. Adjacent to the museum is the "Masuda Townscape," known as the "town within a town," which was designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" by the national government in 2013.
Characteristics
The Yokote City Masuda Manga Museum is an authentic art museum with manga as its theme. Not only does it exhibit original manga artwork, but it also emphasizes preservation, aiming to showcase the charm of Japan's proud manga culture to the world.
With a collection of approximately 400,000 pieces of original artwork, the museum strives to convey the genuine power and beauty of manga. By transmitting the passion of manga artists through their works, it aims to nurture rich sensibilities and rediscover the greatness of manga.
Feel the thoughts of the numerous authors who have contributed to the culture of manga, and experience the breath of life within the original artwork.
<Facilities>
"Manga Storage Exhibition Room" with a collection of 400,000 original drawings:
In a large-scale renewal in 2019, it became the only "museum specialized in preserving original drawings" in Japan. The original drawings are stored in a room where temperature and humidity are controlled 24 hours a day to prevent deterioration. Additionally, a "digital archive" is created by scanning each original drawing and digitizing it.
"Manga Culture Exhibition Room" for background information:
Original drawings and magazines featuring exactly the same scenes are exhibited side by side.
Permanent exhibition featuring works across genres:
In the permanent exhibition room, centered around a symbolic tree, original drawings from 74 artists are displayed. As there are 182 artists' original drawings stored in the repository, the exhibits are frequently rotated.
Plenty of freely readable manga and tidbits throughout the facility:
In the "Manga Library," visitors can freely read manga. There is a collection of 25,000 books throughout the facility. The museum shop offers manga-related merchandise, and in the manga café, visitors can take a break while viewing original signatures of manga artists.
<The Comment from Honorary Museum Director Takao Yaguchi Regarding the Renewal Opening in 2019>
The Masuda Manga Museum in Yokote City, Japan, is addressing the challenge of preserving original manga drawings, which face deterioration and potential loss over time. Recognizing the cultural significance of manga, especially as a representative of Cool Japan, the museum is actively working on a project to collect and archive these original drawings. Through digitization and proper storage, they aim to prevent degradation and enable future publication. The museum believes that this initiative will significantly contribute to the preservation and promotion of Japan's manga culture, seeking the understanding and cooperation of the public in this important endeavor.
To know more
Introduction of the facilities of the museum
What kind of experiences you can have at the museum
Current Activities
Yokote Masuda Manga museum opens throughout the year during opening hours below.
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Last admission is until 5:30 PM)
Closed on the 3rd Tuesday (If a public holiday, closed the next day)
Free admission (Special exhibitions may have an entrance fee)
The viewing fee for special exhibitions varies depending on the ongoing exhibition. Please check the official website of the Masuda Manga Museum for the current exhibition's viewing fee.
Barrierｰfree facilities: Wheelchair-accessible parking, ramps, elevators, AED, nursing room, Sanitary boxes installed in each male and female restroom.
How to get there
Take the Ou line from Akita station to Jumonji station. Take the bus (Iwaigawa Line or Yokote/Koyasu Line) bound for Masuda from Jumonji Station, and get off at "Masuda Kura no Eki," and walk for 10 minutes.