Solve the Mystery of Gosho Aoyama’s Roots

Gosho Aoyama is a world renowned manga artist, most famous for Detective Conan. Take a trip to Hokueicho, Tottori Prefecture to trace the roots of this hitmaking artist. The characters who have given readers hope and courage welcome you to this picturesque town by the sea dotted with windmills.

Characters Greet you at this Seaside Town with Windmills

Hokueicho in Tottori Prefecture is Gosho Aoyama’s hometown. It is a quiet and peaceful town compared to the upbeat town of Beikacho where the characters of Conan live. The blue sky, ocean and the green fields highlight the white windmills spinning gracefully. Aoyama’s characters are found all around the town where the internationally acclaimed manga artist was born. The world of manga comes to life in the town.

Trace the Elements of this Popular Artist

The Aoyama Manga Factory is the highlight of Hokueicho. See and experience all of Aoyama’s works starting with Detective Conan, Yaiba (Shogakukan, 1988), and Magic Kaito (Shogakukan, 1987) at this museum dedicated to Aoyama. As you enter this museum, popular characters illuminated by colourful lighting welcome you.

To Feel the Joy of Expression

In 2017, 200 million copies of Detective Conan were in circulation worldwide. The manga has developed into a popular TV animation series, movies and video games. It is one of Japan’s most well-known manga. In a video shown in the museum, Aoyama says “Manga is the best way for me to express myself.” Aoyama’s success seems to be linked to how he feels about self-expression.

Aoyama’s Childhood Dream of Private Detective Manga Specialist

Gosho Aoyama was born in 1963. He loved to read manga, mystery novels and to draw since he was a little boy. He wrote in his elementary school graduation essay, “I want to write manga about private detectives. That will be my speciality. If I become one, I’ll make sure they are fun and thrilling. I want to make them affordable too.” The image of the young boy figuring out the price of his manga is charming.

Trace his Love for Popular Characters

Aoyama dressed in full cosplay of Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) at his high school festival. Aoyama is famous for paying homage to his favourite characters and mystery novels by naming his characters after his favourites. His love for Mobile Suit Gundam is spotted in Detective Conan.

What is the Secret for Making Masterpieces?
A Thorough Check of His Workspace

The museum displays a complete recreation of Aoyama’s workspace. Character figures of popular manga peek out in between piles of books and resource material. Great stories that move the hearts of readers are born from this little desk.

Famous Detectives - Sparks of Inspiration

Further into the museum you can learn more about the source for Aoyama’s creative process. Aoyama’s major inspirations Hercule Poirot, Kogoro Akechi and Philip Marlowe are introduced in an exhibit called Mystery Authors and Detectives of the World on the right side of the hall. To the left is an exhibit that displays rare materials that can’t be found anywhere else, such as his first drafts and original drawings.

From Inspiration to Creation

Rough drafts of the framework and dialogue of manga, second drafts and pen holders are on display to explain the process of how a manga is produced. It is worth witnessing each step of how characters come to life on paper.

Exclusive Original Production Drawing Collection

An impressive display of about sixty original production drawings fill the wall. The drawings are changed every two months. Avid fans visit the collection every time the exhibition is renewed. Shadowing and depth are vivid in the original drawings.

The Worldwide Conan Network

Detective Conan has been translated into many languages, starting with English, Chinese, Swedish and Thai, and many more. The Conan World Library features translated publications from around the world. The common language of Conan connects people from around the world.

Hiroshi Agasa’s Inventions Leads to the Truth

Hiroshi Agasa’s inventions help and protect Shinichi Kudo, the teenage detective whose body has shrunk. Solving mysteries and chasing criminals would be impossible without Hiroshi’s ideas and brain. Exclusive items invented by Hiroshi such as the Voice-changing Bowtie, Wrist Watch Anesthetic Gun, and Bento Box Fax, are on display.

Patrol Hokueicho on Conan’s Skateboard

Travel through Hokueicho in the Turbo Engine Enhanced Skateboard game invented by Hiroshi Agasa! Many historical buildings remain in Hokueicho where the game is staged. In the game you can skate through the site of the Yura Battery, a national historical site built at the end of the Edo Period and the JR Yura Station, also referred to as Conan Train Station.

Try out Tricks to Make the Impossible Possible

The criminals in Detective Conan are masters of mindboggling tricks. Visitors can actually experience the tricks using mirrors and shadow seen in the manga. The museum’s manager, Mr. Ishida enthusiastically offers to show the trick to make a completely sealed room with adhesive tape.

Playback that Memorable First Episode

It all started that one night… In Episode One, Shinichi Kudo, a high school student, is forced by the mysterious Black Organization to drink poison that shrinks his body, and transforms into the elementary school student Conan Edogawa. The Episode has been upgraded with projection mapping. It’s worth watching more than one time. Use your entrance ticket to try out the digital exhibitions that feature 3D character vision.

Evidence of Generosity

Aoyama’s hectic schedule doesn’t stop him from giving back to his hometown. See the original production drawings that he dedicated to his high school alma mater eight years in a row and the numerous Illustrations sent to the Aoyama Manga Factory.

Strike the Pose and Say the Lines

Take a photo in front of the museum with Hiroshi Agasa’s car, the Beetle. Director Ishida is a friendly face at the museum. He generously donned the bowtie and struck a pose saying “There is only one truth!”. He is full of ideas and said “I want to plan more special exhibitions.”

Navigate Hokueicho with Conan and company

Hokueicho is a great place for sightseeing. It is home to the Yura Battery Site, a piece of Japanese history and Higashi-takao Kannonji Temple, an ancient temple that has been registered as an Important Cultural Property. Beach seine fishing is a famous event held by the sea. Blessed with sunshine and good land, there’s a great variety of tasty local produce. The watermelon is especially delicious.

Detectives Around Town

Don’t be surprised if you run into characters from Detective Conan around town. Parts of the town are named after Conan such as Conan’s Home Beika Shopping Street, Conan Street - the main street connecting to the train station, and the Conan Train and bus stops. Don’t forget to check the manholes decorated with character images.

The Town’s Symbol Stands Strong

The sleek Great Conan Bridge spans the gently flowing Yura River. Perhaps Aoyama in his youth also looked out at the river and caught a glimpse of the shimmering light on the water.
Aoyama’s wonderful characters find their roots in Hokueicho and his ties to his hometown are felt all around town.