Tora-san Memorial Museum Celebrates 5.5 Million Visitors Milestone

Tora-san Memorial Museum Celebrates 5.5 Million Visitors

The Tora-san Memorial Museum, dedicated to the beloved character from the "Otoko wa Tsurai yo" film series, has achieved an impressive milestone by welcoming its 5.5 millionth visitor. The museum, located at 6-22-19, Shibamata, Katsushika, has been a treasured destination since its opening on November 16, 1997. With opening hours from 9 AM to 5 PM and an affordable admission price of 500 yen for adults, the museum has attracted visitors from far and wide.

Visitor Count Journey

The visitor count has steadily increased since the museum's inception. Here are some notable milestones:

- 300,000 visitors in May 1998
- 1 million in February 2000
- 1.5 million in February 2002
- 2 million in March 2004
- 2.5 million in October 2006
- 3 million in January 2009
- 3.5 million in September 2011
- 4 million in September 2014
- 4.5 million in June 2017
- 5 million in October 2020
- 5.5 million in March 2028

According to the statistics from the fiscal year 2024, the museum welcomed 91,707 visitors.

Celebration of the 5.5 Millionth Visitor

On March 6, 2028, at around 2 PM, the museum celebrated its 5.5 millionth visitor, Ms. Miho Kato, an 81-year-old resident from Aomori Prefecture. Ms. Kato visited the museum with her daughter, grandchild, and great-grandchild, making it a multi-generational family outing. The famous director Yoji Yamada, along with the museum staff, personally greeted Ms. Kato's family, capturing the special moment in a photograph. She was presented with a bouquet and special commemorative goods acknowledging the achievement.

Ms. Kato expressed her joy, stating, “I have watched all series of the movie 'Otoko wa Tsurai yo' and always wished to visit the Tora-san Memorial Museum. I never expected to be the 5.5 millionth visitor, and I am truly happy.”

Commemorative Gift

As a token of recognition, Ms. Kato received a special gift set comprising 11 types of merchandise related to the "Otoko wa Tsurai yo" film series.

Upcoming Events to Celebrate

To mark this achievement, the museum will host special events from late April to May 2028 to celebrate the 5.5 million visitors milestone. Details regarding these events will be announced on the Tora-san Memorial Museum's official website.

Current Exhibition: "Can You Love Me?"

In addition to the celebrations, the museum is currently hosting a thematic exhibition titled "Can You Love Me?," focused on the concept of love—a recurring theme in the "Otoko wa Tsurai yo" series. From February 14 to March 22, 2028, visitors can explore various forms of love represented in the franchise. Director Yoji Yamada has also engaged with this exhibition, viewing the special participatory opinion exchange panel designed for attendees.

For more information, visit the official Tora-san Memorial Museum website: Tora-san Memorial Museum.