When visiting Saitama, I made a special point of adding the Kadokawa Culture Museum in Tokorozawa to my itinerary and spent an entire day exploring it at a leisurely pace. It’s a bit of a walk from the station, but even from a distance, I was drawn to this unusual building designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, with an exterior resembling a massive, irregular rock. I had only admired it in architecture books before, so the impact of finally seeing it in person was truly indescribable.
The museum is connected to Tokorozawa Sakura Town, where you can also browse an artsy bookstore and unique little shops. The moment I stepped inside the museum, it felt as though I had suddenly fallen into the magical world of Harry Potter. The towering Bookshelf Theater was especially breathtaking. The spectacular walls of books surrounding you on all sides left me speechless, and the light and projection shows displayed on them from time to time created an incredible sense of artistry and a sci-fi atmosphere.
There’s also a very charming café tucked inside the museum. The best part is that while sitting there and enjoying your coffee, you can quietly take in a sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara nearby. The feeling of being surrounded by art was incredibly soothing. Sitting on the steps and quietly enjoying this visual feast, every corner made me want to linger. It’s definitely a dreamlike, breathtakingly beautiful place worth spending an entire day savoring.
