#Japan #Toshima #Tanabata #Manga Museum #Tokiwasou

Celebrating Six Years of Tokiwasou Manga Museum

The Tokiwasou Manga Museum will mark its 6th anniversary on July 7, and to commemorate this milestone, Toshima City will host a week of free admission days for local residents from July 1 to July 7. This initiative offers a splendid opportunity for the community to engage with manga culture at no cost.

From July 4 to July 7, both the Tokiwasou Manga Museum and Minaminagasaki Hanazaki Park will feature original Tanabata decorations. Visitors can enjoy a delightful display of decorative strips, known as 'Tanzaku,' created through a collaborative effort that collects wishes from participants. This year, 3,000 of these colorful strips will adorn 40 real bamboo pieces, creating a stunning Tanabata space that charms both young and old.

A Special Tanabata Celebration

The Tanabata decoration event has gained popularity over the years, attracting around 3,000 strips filled with wishes each year. From June 27 to July 7, visitors to the museum have the unique opportunity to craft their 'ぬりえ短冊' (coloring wish strips). These contribute to the Tanabata decorations, all set against the backdrop of a special exhibition: 'The Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition.' This exhibit showcases the work of the legendary manga artist Fujio Akatsuka and provides an added cultural experience for attendees.

This year's collaboration with local elementary and preschool students not only fosters creativity as they enjoy coloring and writing their wishes but also deepens their connection with the manga artists whose works are featured in the museum. On July 3 at 10 am, local community members and city staff will gather in Minaminagasaki Hanazaki Park to arrange the bamboo decorations, with the finished displays expected to dazzle park visitors by the end of the day.

Words from the Local Authorities

A representative from the Toshima City office emphasized the beauty of the 40 bamboo decorations, noting, "The sight is truly spectacular, and we hope many people will come to see it. During the free admission days from July 1 to July 7, residents of Toshima can enjoy exploring the museum and participating in making their own wish strips for free. We encourage families to visit the Tokiwasou Manga Museum together and express their wishes through these colorful strips."

Event Details

Free Admission Days: July 1 (Wednesday) to July 7 (Tuesday) - Closed on July 6 (Monday).
Free entry is limited to Toshima residents, who must present valid identification proving their residence in the area.

Tanabata Decoration Display: July 4 (Saturday) to July 7 (Tuesday) - Limited to bamboo displays only on July 6 (Monday).
Decorative arrangement will take place on July 3 at 10 am in Minaminagasaki Hanazaki Park.

Venues: Tokiwasou Manga Museum and Minaminagasaki Hanazaki Park (3-9-22 Minaminagasaki).

Specialized Exhibition Information

In addition to the Tanabata festivities, the Tokiwasou Manga Museum is currently hosting a special exhibition commemorating the 90th anniversary of Fujio Akatsuka's birth titled "The Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition – Everything Started with 'Namachan.'"

• - Exhibition Dates: April 4, 2024, to July 26, 2024.
• - Closed: Mondays (If a holiday, the following weekday is closed).
• - Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm (last admission at 5:30 pm).
• - Entrance Fee: Adults ¥500, Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥100 (Free for preschool children, persons with disabilities and their caregivers, max. 1 assistant).

This highly anticipated event offers a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into manga culture while enjoying a day of fun and creativity in Toshima.

For more information, visit the official website.