The Yamada Yoji Museum revolves around film director Yamada Yoji, who directed numerous films, including the famous “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)” that was set in Katsushika Shibamata. The building was renovated to make it bright and open, and it was reopened in 2019. A stunning lifelike bronze statue of Yamada Yoji is on display right when you enter the museum.
Between 1969 and 2019, Yamada Yoji has directed and written the script for most of the film series “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man),” which spans 50 films including special cuts. He is also the creator of “Tora-san,” and it is no exaggeration to say that he has made Katsushika Shibamata into a location any Japanese would know.
The museum displays these 50 years of work and equipment used, giving visitors a taste of the commitment that Yamada Yoji, who was active throughout the industry’s prime, has for film. Guests can enjoy watching trailers of his films in a nostalgic old movie theater atmosphere in “Shibamata Kinema,” located toward the back of the building.
After enjoying a day at the Katsushika ShibamataTora-san Museum and Yamada Yoji Museum, you can further immerse yourself in the world of “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)” by relaxing at the “TORAsan cafe” attached to the museum.