Akashinoyu

Hara Rintaro + Hara Yu「The Long and Winding River (tunnel and table)」Photo Kioku Keizo

Facility Info and Map

This former elementary school is located in Hachi village which is surrounded by mountains. Seizo Tashima, a picture book artist, transformed this school after its closure into a small museum. He created a story to accompany his new museum called “The School Will Never Become Empty”, featuring the last three students attending this school called Yuki, Yuta, and Kenta. Seizo Tashima even imagined monsters living in the closed school. Visitors can experience the story for themselves as they explore the space of this walk-in picture book museum. We encourage you to come and meet the three last students as well as the monsters living in the school including Toperatoto, the laughter-eating monster, and Doradoraban, the destroyer of dreams!

A space to spend the day with family

Each of the former classrooms in this building have been uniquely renovated, including “the room with grass” and “the room for reading a picture book”. A goat and her kids live outdoors.

Exciting events and workshops.

There are also workshops for parents and children. Visitors are welcome to join seasonal events that are co-organised with the local community, such as the Autumn Festival, and Harvest Festival.

Museum with goats

A goat named “Shizuka,” which has the same name as the goat in Seizo Tashima’s picture book, and a baby goat live in the museum.

Facility Info and Map

Open hours 【1 Mar 2025~】
11:00-20:00 (Closed on Tue and Wed except national holidays *Last admission at 19:30)
Tel 025-752-0117
Admission Adults ¥800 , Childre nunder ¥400 , Silver ticket ¥700 , Coupon ticket (12 times) ¥8,000
Address 1-71-26, Honmachi Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Note

Access: 10-minute walk from Tokamachi Station on the Hokuhoku Line
Parking: Approx. 300 cars (large size available)

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