Tochigi City Literature Museum 栃木市立文学館

Nostalgic building and exhibition of literary figures

The literature museum is on the route to the kura storehouse district. Even if you don't read Japanese or know much about the literary history of the city, it's still a nice spot to take a break. The moment I stepped up to the front porch, I felt a wave of nostalgia - the building, the former town hall, has that characteristic smell of heritage wooden structures I'm familiar with in North America and the aroma of vintage books. The first floor has a display of famous Tochigi people who influenced Japan's history, philosophy, and literature. It could spark your interest in these figures. The second floor has an admission fee. I don't know what I missed, but as reading Japanese texts is a bit laborious for me, I satisfied my curiosity with the first-floor display. The building is also photogenic as it adjoins a waterway and has lovely pine trees.