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Museum

Karuizawa Picturebook Museum

📍 182 Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan
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4.4/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Karuizawa
Category
Museum
Duration
About 1.5 hours
Address
182 Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan
Coordinates
36.3224, 138.5964

Introduction

The Karuizawa Picturebook Museum (Museen no Mori) in Nagakura, Karuizawa, opened in July 1990 as Japan's pioneering museum of Western picture books, presenting original art and first editions from the genre's origins to the present. Three exhibition halls, a picture-book library, the Picturesque Garden, shops and a café are scattered across some 9,000 square metres of woodland, with fresh special exhibitions every season.

✨ Highlights

1
Picture-book art
Original art and first editions by modern authors
2
Pioneering museum
Japan's first dedicated picture-book museum, opened 1990
3
Woodland halls
Three exhibition halls across 9,000 sq m of forest
4
Book library
An in-museum library of picture books
5
Picturesque Garden
Seasonal garden with a café for a rest
6
Special shows
Rotating exhibitions from Beatrix Potter onward

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：182 Nagakura, Karuizawa
→Time needed：About 1.5 hours
→Closed：Tuesdays (open Jul-Sep); winter

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday9:30-17:00
Tuesday9:30-17:00
Wednesday9:30-17:00
Thursday9:30-17:00
Friday9:30-17:00
Saturday9:30-17:00
Sunday9:30-17:00

10-16 Nov-Jan

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult1,000 yen
Student700 yen (JHS/HS)
Child500 yen (elementary)
Free Admissionunder elementary free

Transportation

Driving/Parking

15 min from Usui-Karuizawa IC; 20 min from Komoro IC; parking for 200 cars

Bus

Local loop bus from JR Karuizawa Sta. to Kazakoshi Park, 8 min walk

💡 Tips

• Closed on Tuesdays, but open daily from July to September
• Last admission is 30 minutes before closing
• Ertz Toy Museum shares the grounds; a two-museum pass is available
• Photography is restricted in many halls — watch the signs
• Combines with central Karuizawa and Kumoba Pond
• About 200 parking spaces; arrive early in peak season

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Karuizawa Picturebook Museum?

Monday: 9:30-17:00; Tuesday: 9:30-17:00; Wednesday: 9:30-17:00; Thursday: 9:30-17:00; Friday: 9:30-17:00; Saturday: 9:30-17:00; Sunday: 9:30-17:00; 10-16 Nov-Jan

How much is the admission for Karuizawa Picturebook Museum?

Adult: 1,000 yen; Student: 700 yen (JHS/HS); Child: 500 yen (elementary); Free Admission: under elementary free

Any practical tips for visiting Karuizawa Picturebook Museum?

Closed on Tuesdays, but open daily from July to September Last admission is 30 minutes before closing

How long should I spend at Karuizawa Picturebook Museum?

A typical visit takes About 1.5 hours.

How do I get to Karuizawa Picturebook Museum?

Driving/Parking: 15 min from Usui-Karuizawa IC; 20 min from Komoro IC; parking for 200 cars; Bus: Local loop bus from JR Karuizawa Sta. to Kazakoshi Park, 8 min walk