[Traveling with Art 01] Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki

Noborito Station, on the Odakyu Line and JR Nambu Line. Redevelopment work on the area in front of the station will begin in 2025, transforming the area into a more convenient and attractive place. This time, we visited the Kawasaki City Fujiko F. Fujio Museum. This is a report on a weekend trip from Noborito Station to the exciting world of manga, where both adults and children will have fun.
(Top image: Kawasaki City Fujiko F Fujio Museum Harappa ©Fujiko-Pro)

"Dreams", "Wonders" and "Playfulness"

Fujiko F. Fujio (real name: Fujimoto Hiroshi) is a manga artist who has created many works, including "Doraemon," "Perman," and "Kiteretsu Encyclopedia." He lived with his family in Tama Ward, Kawasaki City for 35 years and continued to draw manga for children. His works, filled with dreams, hopes, friendship, courage, curiosity, and kind feelings of love for people, continue to fascinate fans around the world.

The Kawasaki City Fujiko F. Fujio Museum was started in 1999 when Fujimoto Masako, his wife, conveyed her intention to make his original drawings public to Kawasaki City. The museum has a valuable collection of about 50,000 pieces, and since its opening on September 3, 2011, it has become a popular spot with a total of over 5 million visitors.

Take the direct shuttle bus to the museum

To get to the museum, we recommend taking the direct shuttle bus (fee required) from Noborito Station. It runs every 10-15 minutes and the ride takes about 9 minutes. There are four vehicles with different wrapping and coloring, and the license plate is 2112, the year Doraemon was born. The interior of the vehicle is also full of attention to detail, such as the seats and the exit buzzer.

Once you get off the bus, the entrance to the museum is right there. It is a time-specific system, so when the reserved time comes, you can enter by presenting the 2D code issued after advance purchase as your admission ticket. Although we visited on the last day of the long holiday, this system allowed us to leisurely appreciate the exhibits without encountering the unexpected crowds.

▶ Purchase tickets here

A collaboration between the original drawings of "Doraemon" and the latest technology

The museum is divided into three floors, with Exhibit I and the museum shop located on the first floor.
In Exhibition Room I, there are rows of color original drawings and valuable materials drawn for comic covers and the like. On the walls, there is a special feature on color original drawings, and a device that entertains you with almost an entire manga episode in original drawings, which was very exciting. Particularly wonderful was the corner where Doraemon and his friends teach you how to draw manga in a mysterious way. You can learn the steps and intricate work that go into completing a manga.

On the second floor, there is Exhibition Room II, where special exhibitions are held, as well as a well-equipped experience area.
There is the "F Theater" where original short movies are screened, and the "Everyone's Square" where you can see a miniature of the Nobi family home where Doraemon lives and take photos. There is also a manga corner and a kids' space for preschoolers, so children can relax and enjoy themselves.

The hands-on exhibit "Lumberjack's Fountain" is also popular as it allows visitors to experience the world of manga. When you slowly move the lever up and down, a "beautiful" Gian emerges from Doraemon's secret gadget, the Lumberjack's Fountain, bringing smiles to the faces of visitors.

Enjoy "SF - A Little Mystery"

In Exhibition Room II on the second floor, the exhibition "Fujiko F. Fujio's Chichinpui! Science and Magic Manga Exhibition" will be held from October 30, 2024 to October 26, 2025. The second half of the exhibition, which replaced the original drawings on display, began on May 21. This is a limited-time special exhibition that introduces works with science and magic motifs, such as the secret gadgets of the future from "Doraemon" and the science laws of Planet Marl that appear in "Chimpui," while interpreting Fujiko F. Fujio's unique way of making dreams come true.

I was especially moved after seeing Fujiko F. Fujio's favorite desk, the huge bookshelves lined with books and documents, and the treasured collection on the first floor. It was a worthwhile experience that conveyed Fujiko F. Fujio's passion for his work.

After viewing the exhibits, head to the museum cafe and gift corner "Fujikoya" on the third floor, or to the rooftop space "Harappa" adjacent to Ikuta Ryokuchi, where you can enjoy nature to the fullest. You can take photos with the Anywhere Door, the familiar clay pipe, and various characters. Why not take a leisurely trip to enjoy art on your next day off?

Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)