Northern Japan's Manga Museums
Galleries Devoted to Comics and Animation Genius
Right across Japan you'll find exhibits devoted to key manga and anime creators. This article explores the museums of Northern Honshu. Get there by rail or air from Tokyo
If you're an otaku - a passionate devotee of anime or manga - there's more to do in Japan than shopping and soaking up the scenery. A trip to one or more of the museums and galleries devoted to major industry figures is a must. Get the most out of that Japan Rail Pass and visit the hometowns of some of the giants of Japanese pop culture.
Masuda Manga Museum Celebrates Sanpei The Fisherman
The small city of Masuda, in Akita prefecture, is home to Takao Yaguchi, creator of 'Sanpei the Fisherman'. Yaguchi taught himself to draw by tracing the works of his idol, Osamu Tezuka. Now the Yokote Masuda Manga Museum commemorates his work, and his creations adorn billboards, signs and even buses in this fishing-crazy region.
Masked Rider Creator Ishinomori's Museum
Ishinomori city in Miyagi Prefecture was home to Shotaro Ishinomori, creator of 'Cyborg 009' and 'Kamen (Masked) Rider' as well as author of 'Japan, Inc.', the renowned manga guide to Japan's economy. The futuristic Ishinomori Mangattan shows his work. You can take a picture-packed virtual tour, in Japanese but easy to navigate, before your visit, and there's even an online store.
The museum also hosts exhibitions and events devoted to other manga and anime - 2008 sees a Naruto exhibit. Admission to the permanent exhibition and movie theatre is 800 yen for adults, 500 yen for children, but you can browse the shop and library for free. Open 9am-6pm March-November, 5pm otherwise, 5 minutes by taxi from Ishinomaki station.
At Home with Cyborg 009's Creator
A second Ishinomori museum, the Ishinomori Shotaro Furusato (Home) Museum, is located nearby in Nakada, Tome city, close to his house which is also open to the public. There's a reproduction of the now-demolished Tokiwa apartment complex where Ishinomori lived as a young assistant to fellow-resident Osamu Tezuka, alongside a clutch of famous artists. His collected works and childhood doodles are among the exhibits. Admission is 500 yen for adults, with some special exhibits at 700 yen. Open 9.30am-5p.m., closed Mondays and 5 days at New Year.
Getting There
You could visit one of these museums in a day trip from Tokyo, but forward planning is essential. It's a four hour journey to Akita on the Komachi shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo, and over two and a half hours to neighbouring Miyagi. If you stay in Akita or Miyagi for a day or two, you can take in other local sights and even do some snowboarding, skiing or sailing.
After a day of manga culture, a walk in the rural scenery of Northern Honshu, a look at the many temples and shrines, or even a dinner of delicious local seafood caught by a real-life 'Sanpei The Fisherman' may be just what you need!
