Recently, the local government here has begun to subsidize domestic travel expenses. Although the first batch of subsidy places has not been grabbed, it is believed that other subsidies will be added after the epidemic situation has slowed down more. Now make a travel plan first, although there is no specific place to go, fortunately, there is usually a beautiful library that I pay attention to. Arranged from the southern end of Japan to the north, wait until you decide where you want to go, and then rank the library attractions there by the way.

Kochi Prefecture

Cloud's Upper House

http://www.town.yusuhara.kochi.jp/kanko/kuma-kengo/town-library.html

The real name of this library is the Yusuhara Town Library , and the cloud above the library is its nickname. It was designed and planned by the well-known architect Kengo Kuma . By the way, he also designed the "New National Arena", the main venue of the Tokyo Olympics this time.

The museum uses a lot of locally grown cedar wood. It is said that the museum stipulates that you must take off your shoes and bare feet to enter. It should be very comfortable to step on the cedar floor. There are also gymnasiums, children's gardens, and lawn squares suitable for children's discharge near the library, which should be quite suitable for parents and children to visit together.

Although I have lived in Japan for so long, there are still many places I have never been to, and Shikoku is one of them. If you have the opportunity to go to Kochi or Ehime in Shikoku, you can schedule this scenic spot.

Osaka Prefecture

Nakanoshima Bookstore

https://www.library.pref.osaka.jp/site/nakato/

Personally, I think this is the most library-like library. The neo-Baroque architecture is too gorgeous! After investigation, it was found that the building was donated by Sumitomo Yoshizaemon Yujun, the 15th-generation owner of the Sumitomo chaebol, and luckily it was not destroyed by the war and was able to preserve the century-old building.

There is a Nordic restaurant Smorrebrod Kitchen on the second floor of the library.

Gifu City

Central Library (みんなの森)

https://g-mediacosmos.jp/

The biggest feature here should be the wooden lattice roof and the inverted funnel shape. It is said that the wood for the roof is made of locally produced "Tono cypress", which is not only used for decoration but also as an actual support member. The funnel shape also has a practical role, which can play the role of ventilation and brightness adjustment, which can greatly reduce energy consumption.

The library and the surrounding environment have also constructed the Nagara River Ecological Corridor , and walking around the nearby attractions is enough to kill a day. If you are not traveling by car, you can take the tram to JR Gifu Station, go straight north, take a walk to the library, and then take a walk in the nearby ecological corridor.

Saitama Prefecture

Kadokawa Musano Mimijama

https://kadcul.com/

The recently completed new landmark is not only a library, but a comprehensive facility that integrates libraries, art galleries, and museums. It is also a building designed and produced by Kengo Kuma . As can be seen from the name of the library, it is a facility opened by a private company, so some areas in the library require tickets to enter.

Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Western Library

https://www.library-mito.jp/facility/seibu.html

Ibaraki Prefecture has been named the least attractive prefecture in Japan for seven consecutive years, but there are still many places that have unique charm. The Western Library, which was once used as one of the shooting scenes of the live-action movie "Library Wars", has since appeared in the movie, and many dramas have also come here to shoot. It is said that the museum also displays related materials at the time of the shooting, as well as the autographs of the actors.

When it comes to Mito City, it will also remind people of the well-known Japanese costume drama "Mito Yellow Gate", the protagonist is the second generation of Mito domain lord (similar to the prince who has his own territory in China, his grandfather is Tokugawa Ieyasu) once Quanzhong Nayan (official name also known as: Huangmen), who has served in the office, often goes out to patrol the evil and promote the good. In the end, he always shows the waist card of the status symbol, and the bad guy will kneel and beg for mercy when he sees it.

Akita Prefecture

Nakajima Memorial Library・International Liberal Arts University

https://web.aiu.ac.jp/library/outline/

The library in the public international liberal arts university in Akita, northeastern Japan, can also be freely entered and exited by outsiders, but there is a time limit. According to the latest regulations, people outside the school can enter and exit from 10:00 to 18:00 every day, while the students of the school can enter and leave 24 hours a day, 365 days a day.

Seeing the photos of the interior of the library can not help but remind people of the Colosseum, the circular venue, the passages in and out, and the auditorium on the floor. When I checked the data, it turned out to be true, the design theme is "the arena of books", and it has won various architectural awards.

The above libraries have their own opening hours, and because the epidemic has not completely ended, the opening hours may change at any time. Be sure to investigate clearly before arranging the schedule, so as not to travel all the way and find the door locked when you arrive at the scene. Although the building looks beautiful, it is also very suitable for taking beautiful photos.

2022/06/16 posted.

Original link toJapan behind-the-scenes observation