If you are looking for the most magical photo spot in Saitama, the Kadokawa Musashino Museum (角川武蔵野ミュージアム) is likely at the top of your list. Often called the ‘Harry Potter library of Japan’ due to its towering 8-meter-tall shelves and ‘Hogwarts vibes,’ this architectural marvel by Kengo Kuma is a must-visit for book lovers and photographers alike. However, navigating the ticket types and finding vegetarian-friendly food in the Tokorozawa City can be a challenge for travelers. Thus, we will cover everything you need to know to experience the Bookshelf Theater, from booking your entry to making the most of your day trip from Tokyo. There is also an anime museum and manga library in the building!
What to See and Do at Kadokawa Musashino Museum
- About Kadokawa Musashino Museum
- The Bookshelf Theater (本棚劇場): Step Inside the “Harry Potter Library of Japan”
- The EJ Anime Museum and Manga Library
- Edit Town and ARAMATA Wunderkammer at Kadokawa Musashino Museum
- How to Buy Tickets for Kadokawa Musashino Museum
- The Musashino Uruwashiki Yamatono Miyashiro Shrine (武蔵野坐令和神社)
- Kadokawa Musashino Museum’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Vegan and Vegetarian Survival Guide for Kadokawa Musashino Museum
Tip: Download the audio guide app HERE to get a more detailed understanding of the museum when you get there.
About Kadokawa Musashino Museum
Just a 10-minute walk from Higashi-Tokorozawa Station (東所沢駅), a gigantic rock will suddenly rise from the ground. The 30-meter tall museum in Saitama was designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma (隈研吾). Approximately 20,000 pieces of granite were used to construct the hexadecahedron building.
This building, completed in November 2020, is filled with contemporary elements and perfectly fits Japan’s largest pop culture base, Tokorozawa Sakura Town.
The Bookshelf Theater (本棚劇場): Step Inside the “Harry Potter Library of Japan”
If you have seen viral photos of a towering, mystical library and wondered where to find it, look no further. The Bookshelf Theater (located on the 4th and 5th floors) is the heart of the Kadokawa Musashino Museum and has quickly earned its reputation as the “Harry Potter library of Japan.” While the name doesn’t sound too appealing, the space has the Hogwarts vibes.
As you step into this 8-meter-tall space, you are surrounded by approximately 50,000 books that soar toward the ceiling. The scale of the room truly feels like a real-life Great Library, echoing the grand, ancient archives often depicted in fantasy literature. The shelves don’t just hold books. They create a canyon of knowledge that wraps around you, making it a dream destination for bibliophiles and photographers alike.
Hogwarts Vibes & Wizarding World Architecture
Designed by the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the museum is a masterpiece of wizarding world architecture. The complex, interlocking timber shelves and the play of light and shadow create unmistakable Hogwarts vibes. Unlike a traditional library, the timber used here gives the space an organic, almost living energy, much like the moving staircases or enchanted rooms of a magical castle.
You might wonder why the shelves are uneven and of different heights. Some books are even placed horizontally instead of in the normal vertical position. These are all parts of Kuma Kengo’s design, making the bookshelf seemingly float up to the ceiling. In addition, it is a space that reflects how Kengo would imagine a human brain’s structure.
The Projection Mapping Experience
To complete the magical transformation, the museum runs a projection mapping show every 30 minutes (refer to the 2nd to the last photo in the IG post).
- The Show: Images and stories are projected directly onto the book spines and shelves.
- The Effect: The books appear to “come alive,” further cementing the feeling that you’ve stepped out of Saitama and into a realm of spells and wonder.
The EJ Anime Museum and Manga Library
What an anime lover would enjoy the most is the EJ Anime Museum (EJアニメミュージアム) on the third floor. This is where exhibition events for famous animes are held. If you read Japanese, visit the Manga & Light Novel Library (マンガ・ラノベ図書館) on the first floor. The space is like a Manga cafe. Autographs and anime character figures can also be found there!
Edit Town and ARAMATA Wunderkammer at Kadokawa Musashino Museum
The cool Bookshelf Theater isn’t the only library in Kadokawa Musashino Museum. All floors have a space dedicated to books! Whether it is novels, comics, or other categories, you can surely find a book of interest. There are also English options for you to explore and read. The most fascinating book series we found were related to the Official Routes in Japan, such as the famous Tōkaidō (東海道). You can refer to the 4th photo in the left Instagram post below.
ARAMATA Wunderkammer is a corner on the same floor as the Bookshelf Theater that is also worth checking out. Quirky exhibits, such as supernatural photos and people’s hair, can be found there. On the other hand, it is a spot where you can hold a real fossil found in Japan!
How to Buy Tickets for Kadokawa Musashino Museum
Buying tickets for the Kadokawa Musashino Museum can be a bit confusing because there are several different areas, each requiring a specific pass. To ensure you see the famous Bookshelf Theater, follow this guide.
1. Choose Your Ticket Type
The museum offers tiered tickets depending on how much you want to see. Most international visitors opt for the KCM Standard Ticket.
| Ticket Type | What’s Included? | Best For… |
| KCM Standard Ticket | Bookshelf Theater + Edit Town (4F/5F) | Casual visitors & Photographers |
| Manga & Light Novel | 1F Library only | Book lovers & Anime fans |
| 1-Day Passport | All areas (Standard + Grand Gallery + Manga Library) | Architecture & Art enthusiasts |
| Evening Ticket | Discounted entry after 3:00 PM | Budget-conscious travelers |
| Special Exhibition Ticket | Special exhibition area | Fans of the exhibition topic |
Note: Prices typically range from ¥1,400 for Standard to ¥3,000+ for the Full Passport. Children under 6 enter for free.
2. Where to Buy (Online vs. At the Door)
While you can buy tickets at the 2F General Information Counter, it is highly recommended to book online in advance, especially for weekends and public holidays.
- Official Website: You can purchase via the Kadokawa Culture Museum Ticket Site. You will need to create a free account and choose a specific entry time slot.
- Third-Party Apps (Klook): These are often easier for international travelers as they accept all foreign credit cards and provide a simple QR code for entry.
- At the Door: Same-day tickets are often available on weekdays but can sell out early on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. Entry & Check-in Process
Once you arrive at Tokorozawa Sakura Town:
- Head to the 2nd Floor (this is where the main entrance and “big rock” exterior are located).
- If you have an online ticket, you do not need to wait in the ticket counter line. Head straight to the gate of the floor your ticket covers.
- Show your QR code (printed or on your phone) to the staff at the entrance.
Pro Tips for Ticket Holders
- Tickets sell out on weekends and public holidays. Instead of getting your ticket at the door, Purchase Your Ticket Beforehand!
- Re-entry: You can generally re-enter the museum areas covered by your ticket on the same day, just show your wristband or ticket to the staff.
- Please note that re-entry may not be permitted for some special exhibitions. Please check the information for each exhibition for details.
The Musashino Uruwashiki Yamatono Miyashiro (武蔵野坐令和神社)
Lastly, don’t miss out on the designer-designed shrine in the courtyard! Kuma Kengo and other well-known artists also designed the Musashino Uruwashiki Yamatono Miyashiro (武蔵野坐令和神社).
If you are a fan of Final Fantasy, the ceiling should particularly appeal to you as it was designed by Amano Yoshitaka (天野 喜孝), who produced conceptual design pieces for the game series. Retaining the essential elements of a Japanese shrine, these designers created an amazing modern praying space for those seeking internal peace.
The Katashiro-nagashi at Ritual at Musashino Uruwashiki Yamatono Miyashiro
An interesting ritual you can perform at Musashino Uruwashiki Yamatono Miyashiro Shrine is called Katashiro-nagashi.
It is said that by blowing into the human-shaped paper three times and floating it down the small stream in the precinct, bad luck will be taken away from you.
Kadokawa Musashino Museum’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Kadokawa Musashino Museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm except for Tuesdays.
- The last admission is 5:30 pm.
- If Tuesday is a public holiday, the museum will open.
- The KadoCafe (角カフェ) and SACULA DINER have different business hours.
- Almost all areas of the museum require an admission ticket. Refer to the official website HERE for more information and pre-purchase your ticket.
- You can also pre-purchase your admission tickets through klook.
- Kadokawa Musashino Museum is a 10-minute walk from JR Higashi-Tokorozawa Station (東所沢駅).
Vegan and Vegetarian Survival Guide for Kadokawa Musashino Museum
Finding vegetarian or vegan food around the museum isn’t easy. If you haven’t got yourself a vegetarian/vegan bento before departing from Tokyo, you can get some plant-based food from convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven or Lawson near the station:
- Onigiri (Rice Balls): Look for Ume (Pickled Plum) rice balls.
- Snacks: Edamame, salt-flavored potato chips, or mixed nuts.
- Refer to HERE for a list of vegan food you can get at convenient stores.
Explore Other Attractions in Tokorozawa
The Kadokawa Musashino Museum is undoubtedly a showstopper, but it is just one of many reasons to explore this corner of Saitama. Tokorozawa is the birthplace of Japanese aviation and the inspiration behind the lush landscapes in Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro. If you have a few extra hours, you can visit the Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park or hunt for the famous Totoro-themed manhole covers scattered through the city. To plan a full-day itinerary that includes the best photo spots and plant-based eats across the whole area, be sure to read our Comprehensive Guide to Tokorozawa City’s Best Attractions.
