_{Take a literary stroll to trace the footsteps of Dazai Osamu}
The Dazai Osamu Exhibition Room, Mitaka City Gallery of Art, and the Dazai Osamu Literary Salon (Mitaka City)

You can enjoy the feeling of actually visiting Dazai’s home at “This Little House of Mitaka”
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Dazai Osamu remains hugely popular as one of the leading writers of Japanese modern literature. Dazai lived in the Mitaka area for seven and half years, until his death at age 38 in 1948. It was here that he wrote some 90 works, including Shayo (The Setting Sun) and Hashire Merosu (Run, Melos!).

In December 2020, the Dazai Osamu Exhibition Room, Mitaka no Kono Chisa -Ie (This Little House of Mitaka) opened in the Mitaka City Gallery of Art, which is directly connected from the south exit of Mitaka Station via pedestrian walkway. It not only displays various documents and objects entrusted from his family for public viewing, but has also recreated the author’s home in Mitaka based on reference materials and memoirs written by his apprentices. In his study-and-living-room, visitors can touch hands-on exhibits such as an apple crate the author used as a bookshelf and a low writing desk with sheets of manuscript paper for writing. The house is faithfully reproduced, even to the extent that it includes a hand-written name plate outside and his signature Inverness coat hung in the room. It is highly recommended as a place to spend an enjoyable time looking at these displayed items while thinking back to those days. You may also be able to get a glimpse of the novelist as a family man from his family photos and other memorabilia.

A 5-minute walk southeast from the Dazai Osamu Exhibition Room brings you to the Dazai Osamu Literary Salon, which was built on the site of the former Isemoto liquor store the writer frequented. Here, you can actually pick up and read some 1,500 books related to Dazai, which were donated from Yamanouchi Shoshi, a leading researcher of Dazai’s works, and Dazai’s eldest daughter, Sonoko. Fans from across Japan visit this salon, which boasts a richer collection of books and other works relating to the author than any other library. You can use it as a book café and drink coffee, or shop for souvenir goods related to Dazai and his birthplace, Aomori prefecture. 

Through the “Mitaka, The Town Dazai Lived In” project, with the help of volunteer guides, Mitaka City is also offering guided tours to explore places related to the author. Why not plan a visit to Mitaka to trace memorable spots, such as Dazai’s grave and the site of his former residence where crape myrtles grow?

The Literary Salon reopened in March this year

The Dazai Osamu Exhibition Room, Mitaka City Gallery of Art, is a 2-minute walk from Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line.
[The Dazai Osamu Exhibition Room, Mitaka City Gallery of Art]
Phone 0422-79-0033. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays (the following day and the day after that if Monday falls on a public holiday) and the year-end and New Year period.
Website (external link)

[The Dazai Osamu Literary Salon]
Phone 0422-26-9150. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays (the following day and the day after that if Monday falls on a public holiday) and the year-end and New Year period.
Website (external link)

*This article is also available in other languages. (日本語／中文／한국어)

Depending on the COVID-19 situation, information contained in this article may be subject to change. Please check the website(s) below for the latest information. Before going out, please check for the latest information on the COVID-19 situation. Thank you for taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. *The November edition was produced on the basis of information accurate as of October 17.