Museum

Kamakura Museum of Literature

📍 1-5-3 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan

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3.5/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: Japan, Kamakura
Category: Museum
Duration: About 1 hour
Opening Hours: Closed for large-scale renovation since April 1, 2023; reopening expected in 2027
Ticket Price: Adult: 300-500 yen (after reopening) · Child: Students 100-200 yen · Currently closed
Address: 1-5-3 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Coordinates: 35.3153, 139.5390

Introduction

The Kamakura Museum of Literature occupies a hilltop villa in Hase, Kamakura, built in 1936 by Maeda Toshinari, 16th head of the former Kaga domain's Maeda clan; the National Registered Tangible Cultural Property retains its Art Deco decor, marble fireplaces and stained glass. After the war it served as a Danish minister's villa and later Prime Minister Eisaku Sato's retreat, and was the model for the villa in Mishima Yukio's 'Spring Snow'; it opened as a city museum in 1985. Manuscripts and belongings of more than 300 Kamakura-linked writers including Yasunari Kawabata are displayed, and the garden's 250 roses of about 200 varieties bloom in spring and autumn. The museum has been closed for large-scale renovation since April 1, 2023, with reopening expected in 2027.

✨ Highlights

Registered Cultural Property

A 1936 villa by Maeda Toshinari, a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

Art Deco Interior

Marble fireplaces, stained glass and mosaic parquet survive to this day.

Model for 'Spring Snow'

The villa portrayed in the first volume of Mishima Yukio's 'Sea of Fertility'.

Rose Garden

Some 250 roses in about 200 varieties bloom twice, May-June and October-November.

Kamakura Writers

Manuscripts, letters and personal effects of 300-plus Kamakura-linked writers.

Views of Sagami Bay

The hilltop garden looks out over Sagami Bay and Yuigahama.

🛈 Practical Info

→Address：1-5-3 Hase, Kamakura

→Duration：About 1 hour (after reopening)

→Regular closed days：Mondays (open on holidays; only one Monday per month in May, Jun, Oct, Nov), exhibition changes, year-end/New Year

→Access：7 min walk from Enoden Yuigahama Sta.; bus from JR Kamakura Sta. to Kaigan-dori, 3 min walk

→Opening Hours：Closed for large-scale renovation since April 1, 2023; reopening expected in 2027

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	300-500 yen (after reopening)
Child	Students 100-200 yen

Currently closed

Transportation

Bus

7 min walk from Enoden Yuigahama Sta.; bus to Kaigan-dori, 3 min walk

Note

Exterior only while closed

💡 Tips

• Closed for large-scale renovation since April 1, 2023; reopening is expected in 2027—check the Kamakura City notice before visiting.

• After reopening, hours are expected to be 9:00-17:00 (March-September) and 9:00-16:30 (October-February), last entry 30 minutes before closing.

• During the closure, the Kamakura Literature Digital Archive offers the writers' materials online.

• The building itself is a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property—don't miss the stained glass and marble fireplaces after reopening.

• A 7-minute walk from Yuigahama Station; pair with Hase-dera and the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in for a half-day route.

• Photography is banned in parts of the villa; the garden and exterior are fine.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Kamakura Museum of Literature?

Closed for large-scale renovation since April 1, 2023; reopening expected in 2027

How much is the admission for Kamakura Museum of Literature?

Adult: 300-500 yen (after reopening); Child: Students 100-200 yen; Currently closed

Any practical tips for visiting Kamakura Museum of Literature?

Closed for large-scale renovation since April 1, 2023; reopening is expected in 2027—check the Kamakura City notice before visiting. After reopening, hours are expected to be 9:00-17:00 (March-September) and 9:00-16:30 (October-February), last entry 30 minutes before closing.