Top Seven Evolving Libraries to Visit This Summer
Libraries across Japan are evolving far beyond traditional places for reading and study, adding everything from 3D printers and children's play areas to health-check equipment, music studios and towering bookshelves as they seek to become new centers for their communities. (News On Japan)
Libraries in Japan are transforming into community hubs offering diverse experiences beyond traditional reading spaces. With over 3,400 libraries nationwide, many are adding amenities such as 3D printers, play areas, health-check equipment, music studios, and extensive book collections to cater to visitors of all ages, especially during hot summer months.
Ranked last in the top seven evolving libraries to visit is the Kadokawa Culture Museum in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, this rock-like building features Edit Town, where visitors can browse around 25,000 books arranged vertically and horizontally by related themes. The highlight is the Bookshelf Theater, which uses projection mapping to display giant shelves as a screen, creating an immersive experience.
The Micca Library, located on the seventh floor of a building near Kameari Station, is free for children under 12 and costs 200 yen for adults. This library combines picture books and children's stories with interactive events like storytelling accompanied by live music and free seasonal craft kits. A cafe nearby offers book-themed foods and drinks.
Setagaya City Umegaoka Library, about a five-minute walk from Umegaoka Station, comes in third. Despite its ordinary appearance, this library houses three 3D printers for visitors to use free of charge, allowing them to create personalized items like key chains. The library also offers childcare services for a fee, giving parents a chance to relax while their children explore the facility.
The fourth-ranked library is Yui no Mori Arakawa, located a seven-minute walk from Machiya Station. This library provides a library bankbook for children to track borrowed books, helping families remember and revisit favorite titles. It also offers childcare services, helping parents manage their schedules while engaging in reading or study sessions.
Ranking third is the International Library of Children's Literature, National Diet Library, in Tokyo's Ueno Park. With over 500,000 children's books from Japan and more than 120 countries, this library allows visitors to compare Japanese children's literature with its global counterparts. Popular books can be found in various languages, offering a multicultural literary experience.
The second-place library is the Yamato City Cultural Creation Center Sirius, one of Japan's most visited library complexes. Located on multiple floors, this facility includes a health-focused fourth floor with equipment measuring various health indicators, a children's floor with an indoor play area featuring a large rotating wheel and ball pit, and recreational activities like bouldering and table tennis. The play area is especially popular among children during hot summers.
Taking the top spot is Musashino Place, located near Musashi-Sakai Station. This library functions as a community center, particularly for teenagers, with a dedicated Teens Studio on the second basement floor. Here, young people can study, socialize, and participate in activities like bouldering and table tennis. The library's relaxed atmosphere allows for both studying and recreational pursuits, making it a valuable third place for teenagers to gather and engage in various interests.
Written by urgent.news from News On Japan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
