A Tour of the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

Fujiko F. Fujio (1933-1996) is one of the luminaries of manga, with his works having been enjoyed continuously for more than half a century. At the Kawasaki City Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, you can spend a day in his playful, warm-hearted universe.

Much-loved characters welcome you at the door

As you step into the museum, you will immediately be greeted with a relief depicting some of Fujiko. F’s best-known characters – “Perman” (Shogakukan, 1967), “Kiteretsu Daihyakka” (Ie no Hikari, 1974), and of course, “Doraemon” (Shogagkukan, 1970).

Introducing Fujiko F’s words by ‘Doraemon’

Masako, Fujiko. F’s wife, helped to found the museum, declaring that she wanted to “return some gratitude to the fans”. Amongst the museum’s treasures are valuable original drawings and documents of Fujiko. F’s. The first space of the exhibition shows the trajectory of the “Doraemon” series, presenting words and works of Fujiko. F himself. As of 2020, 50 years after its birth, “Doraemon” has been translated into 12 languages, and the animation has been broadcast in 55 countries. In the museum you will feel like you are at the heart of this classic series.

Navigated by the characters

One of the themes of the museum is “passing on the culture of manga”, and drawing lessons are included as part of this mission. The guides themselves are Doraemon and Nobita – the two main characters of “Doraemon” – who appear in three-dimensional form, bringing element of fun to the instructions.

Paintings are embodiment of his lifetime

The museum owns about 50,000 original manga drawings. Mrs. Masako once described this vast volume of the manga original pictures as “the embodiment of Fujiko. F.’s lifetime”. Valuable original drawings are stored with the utmost care, under temperature and humidity control, and when exhibited, they may be replaced with duplicate original drawings so as not to damage the work.

Room of personal treasures

After passing down the so-called “History Road”, you will enter a re-creation of Fujiko. F’s working space. The attention to details is so exact that you might think that he had only just left. His intense curiosity is obvious in the room- along with the dinosaur models he would always keep on his desk, there is a rich variety of books, train models, and laser discs. Despite work pressures, he always took pleasure in his hobbies and interests.

For wider and deeper understandings

The museum holds a special exhibit, which changes regularly, and which aims to give a sense of the wide genre of works that Fujiko. F created, -manga aimed at girls, or manga aimed at adults. Every time, the museum carefully selects the theme of an exhibit so  that visitors are able to see his work from a new perspective.

Tracing the master’s mind

The original paintings are also on display. Some of them have margin instructions written by Fujiko F himself, in pencil, which shed some light on his thoughts and illustration methods.

Outside, a humorous gimmick

Takeshi Goda – also known as Gian – is one of the main characters in “Doraemon”. This attraction is based on a famous episode in which he is transformed into a handsome man, and is an excellent photo opportunity. When you move the lever, he … well… we don’t want to give any spoilers, in case you visit the museum.

Fujiko. F as a husband and a father

A lesser-known side of Fujiko. F’s personality – as a family man – is shown in this room. In the “Fujiko F. Fujio’s Day Off” section, you can get a greater sense of him through a series of family photographs. On his way home from work, he often bought children’s picture books suited to the ages and personalities of his three daughters, and read the books aloud to them before they went to bed. There is a letter Fujiko. F received from his wife Masako on display which gives a sense of the warmth and depth of his family life.

Reading with Doraemon

You can browse Fujiko F’s works at the "Manga Corner". His works, made with his unique method to approach science fiction (S = Sukoshi [a little], F = Fushigi [mysterious]), have had a lasting influence on manga culture, with his pure aim to create “good  entertainment for children”.  We can say the most obvious and attractive feature of his manga is universality-  children and adults, who used to be children themselves, from any country, in any era, can enjoy Fujiko. F’s imagination.

Some interactive fun at the Plaza

At the “People’s Plaza”, a favourite area for children, attractions that Fujiko. F might also call "a little mysterious" are waiting for the visitor. There is a big ball run, a 5/1 size diorama of Nobita’s house, Doraemon’s manga reserch notebook,  Doraemon and Dorami's capsule toy machine, and an original stamp production machine.

Watch the original screening

The "F Theatre" screens some original short films, which are only available to view here. After you have passed down the grandeur of the corridor, you will find a cinema with a 200-inch screen. It is heartening to see both children and adults alike react with laughter to an on-screen joke.

Up on the roof

The rooftop playground of the museum is intended to be a place for relaxation, scattered with monuments of Fujiko. F’s characters, along with the famous “Anywhere door”, “Clay pipe in vacant space” and a gift shop. Visitors enjoy views of the green  and pleasant landscape around the museum, and it is a popular photo spot. It is not unusual to see some visitors come prepared, having somehow adopted the colour of one of Fujiko. F’s characters in their look.

The secret ingredient is fun

At the museum cafe, the food is carefully arranged to resemble images from Fujiko. F’s works, so that a common refrain from guests is “it’s such a shame to have to eat it”. This space faces the rooftop playground, and the natural light it receives is perfect for a re-charge with some Fujiko. F-inspired food and drink.

Some memories for the road home

As you leave the museum, you can stop by the gift shop and get some special items to take home with you – there are a variety of popular goods designed to bring a smile to the face of young and old. 

In 2021, the museum celebrated its 10th anniversary. Just like Fujiko. F’s works, which feel fresh every time you read them, new excitement is awaiting visitors no matter how many times they come.