A Literary Space Shaped by the Hirose River
The museum opened on September 3, 1993. Designed to harmonize with the natural environment along the Hirose River, the building is a four-story reinforced-concrete structure with a total floor area of approximately 2,540 square meters.
Its understated exterior and spacious interior create a calm environment in which visitors can enjoy literature at their own pace.
A Poetry Walk Along the Hirose River
The area surrounding the museum includes the Hirose River Riverside Greenway, where numerous monuments inscribed with poems and literary quotations can be found.
Walking from one monument to another while listening to the sound of the river is an ideal way to experience Maebashi’s literary heritage. The scenery changes with the seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green foliage in summer, and colorful autumn leaves adding to the poetic atmosphere.
Hagiwara Sakutaro: A Pioneer of Modern Japanese Poetry
Hagiwara Sakutaro (1886–1942) is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in modern Japanese poetry and is often described as the “father of modern Japanese poetry.” He played a major role in establishing modern free verse written in conversational Japanese.
His major collections include Howling at the Moon, his first collection of poetry, as well as Blue Cat, Sentimental Little Poems, and Ice Island. Through these works, he opened new possibilities for Japanese poetry and profoundly influenced later generations of poets.
The Sakutaro Exhibition Room
The museum’s second floor features the Sakutaro Exhibition Room, where visitors can explore his life and creative career through original manuscripts, notebooks, letters, photographs, and personal belongings.
The museum holds an exceptionally extensive collection of Sakutaro’s manuscripts and related materials, making it an important resource for researchers of modern Japanese literature.
At the Poetry Stage within the exhibition room, visitors can watch video presentations featuring readings of Sakutaro’s poetry. Recordings of Sakutaro’s own voice are also available, allowing visitors to hear how he himself read his poems.
Experiencing the sound, rhythm, and cadence of the spoken Japanese language provides a different perspective on his poetry than simply reading the words on a page.
Highlights on Each Floor
First Floor: Films, Shopping, and Relaxation
The first floor features a Video Exhibition Room showing programs such as “Hagiwara Sakutaro: Poetry and Life” and “Maebashi’s Landscape and Literature.” These presentations offer an accessible introduction to the relationship between the city’s history, culture, and literary heritage.
The museum shop sells exhibition catalogs, books related to the writers featured at the museum, and original goods. These items make distinctive souvenirs or gifts for visitors interested in Japanese literature.
The first floor is also home to the riverside café Hirosegawa Bar Fugue, which has terrace seating overlooking the Hirose River. Visitors can enjoy coffee, meals, beer, wine, and other refreshments while taking in the peaceful riverside scenery.
Second Floor: Permanent and Special Exhibitions
In addition to the Sakutaro Exhibition Room, the second floor contains a Special Exhibition Gallery.
A variety of exhibitions are held throughout the year, including exhibitions featuring recipients of the Hagiwara Sakutaro Prize. The museum therefore serves not only as a place to learn about historical poets but also as a venue for discovering contemporary poetry and new developments in literature.
Third Floor: A Center for Cultural Exchange
A hall with seating for approximately 130 people hosts lectures, concerts, film screenings, and other cultural events.
The museum therefore extends beyond literature alone, functioning as a cultural center where local residents and visitors can experience a broad range of artistic and cultural activities.
The Open Gallery also hosts exhibitions by local residents, including photography and painting exhibitions, reflecting the museum’s close relationship with the surrounding community.
Fourth Floor: Research and Reference Facilities
The fourth floor contains a Reference Room where visitors can examine materials held in the museum’s collection. It provides a valuable resource for those interested in researching Japanese literature.
A training room is also available for lectures, workshops, study groups, and other educational activities.
Hagiwara Sakutaro Memorial Museum
Across the Hirose River from the main museum stands the Hagiwara Sakutaro Memorial Museum, which was relocated and reconstructed at its present site in 2017.
The complex includes a traditional storehouse, Sakutaro’s study, and an annex, allowing visitors to experience the physical spaces associated with the poet’s life and creative work.
The Study Where Famous Poems Were Created
The study is particularly significant. Sakutaro himself was involved in its design, which incorporates a distinctive Secession-style architectural aesthetic.
It was here that he created many of his best-known works, including Howling at the Moon and Blue Cat.
Visiting the memorial museum together with the Maebashi Literature Museum offers a deeper understanding of the relationship between Sakutaro’s literary works and the spaces in which they were created.
Visitor Information
The museum is located at 3-12-10 Chiyoda-machi, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture.
It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with admission permitted until 4:30 p.m. The museum is closed on Wednesdays (or the following day when Wednesday is a public holiday) and during the year-end and New Year holiday period.
Admission to the permanent exhibition is 100 yen for adults and university students, while high school students and younger visitors can enter free of charge.
By car, the museum is approximately 15 minutes from the Maebashi Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway. It is about a 20-minute walk from JR Maebashi Station and approximately a 5-minute walk from Chūō-Maebashi Station on the Jōmō Electric Railway.
Where Literature and Nature Meet in Maebashi
The Maebashi Literature Museum is more than a conventional exhibition facility. Here, poetry and landscape come together along the flowing waters of the Hirose River.
The river, literary monuments, seasonal scenery, and words of the poets create an atmosphere in which visitors can experience literature not only through exhibits but also through the surrounding landscape.
Whether you are passionate about Japanese literature or simply looking for a peaceful cultural stop while exploring Maebashi, the museum offers an opportunity to discover the city’s identity as the “Birthplace of Modern Poetry” and to experience the enduring power of words.