Literature

As the nation that gave the world the oldest extant full length novel – Genji Monogatari – Japan has a number of museums dedicated to their literature, and Meguro plays host to one of the very best – The Museum of Japanese Modern Literature.

Housed in a modern looking building in the extreme corner of what is today Komaba Park, formerly the home of the powerful Kaga Clan, the museum centers on Japan’s many many gifted writers of the 20th century; from Murakami to Mishima, Ariyoshi to Kawabata.

Separated by author, sometimes chronologically, the displays of manuscripts, personal memorabilia and biographical information is of course primarily in Japanese but fans of a given author are more likely aware of the background, here to view the papers and penned directly, images hitherto unseen and personal trinkets through which those long dead speak to their modern day fans.

Personal exhibitions related to certain authors do take place from time to time so it is worth calling ahead or checking the homepage (Japanese only) for further information prior to planning a visit. (link below)

Access: via Todai-mae Station on the Inokashira Line

Admission: 100 yen

Link: http://www.bungakukan.or.jp/