Kitakyushu Manga Museum: Discover Japan’s Manga Culture in Kokura

Discover the Soul of Japanese Manga in Kitakyushu

Japan is known worldwide for its rich manga culture, and the Kitakyushu Manga Museum offers visitors an opportunity to explore that culture in depth. Located in the Aruaru City complex near JR Kokura Station, the museum introduces the history and development of manga while highlighting the many influential artists connected to Kitakyushu.

A Journey Through Manga History

The Kitakyushu Manga Museum is more than a place to read comics. Through its exhibitions, visitors can explore how manga developed in postwar Japan, learn about the techniques and structure of manga, and discover the work of artists connected to Kitakyushu.

The museum is home to around 70,000 manga volumes, ranging from classic works to popular contemporary titles. Visitors can freely browse the collection in the reading area, making it possible to discover both familiar favorites and new works.

Kitakyushu has produced many well-known manga artists, including Seizo Watase, Tsukasa Hojo, and Leiji Matsumoto. The museum features exhibitions and materials related to these artists, including Watase’s Heart Cocktail and Hojo’s City Hunter. Matsumoto, who served as the museum’s first honorary director, is also featured in a dedicated section introducing his life and career.

See, Read, and Draw

One of the museum’s distinctive features is its focus on three experiences: seeing, reading, and drawing manga.

In addition to exhibitions and the extensive reading collection, the museum offers manga experiences where visitors can try activities such as digital drawing, four-panel manga, coloring, and other creative exercises. Manga classes led by professional artists are also held as part of the museum’s educational programs.

These hands-on activities offer a different way to appreciate manga by allowing visitors to experience some of the creative process themselves.

Relax and Explore Japanese Pop Culture

The museum provides a comfortable space where visitors can spend time exploring manga at their own pace. The reading area contains around 70,000 volumes, while the museum’s permanent exhibitions introduce the history of manga, the relationship between Kitakyushu and its manga artists, and the development of manga as a form of expression.

Located inside Aruaru City, a complex known for its manga, anime, and other pop-culture-related facilities, the museum is also well positioned for visitors interested in exploring contemporary Japanese pop culture in Kokura.

A Cultural Stop in Kokura

Situated just a two-minute walk from JR Kokura Station, the Kitakyushu Manga Museum is an easy addition to a Kitakyushu itinerary. Whether you are a lifelong manga fan or simply interested in one of Japan’s most influential forms of popular culture, the museum offers an opportunity to explore manga from historical, artistic, and creative perspectives.

Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Last Entry: 6:30 PM
Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day when Tuesday is a holiday), New Year’s holidays, and other designated closure days
Location: Aruaru City 5th & 6th Floors, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu

Discover Kitakyushu Through Manga

From the history of manga to the works of artists with deep connections to Kitakyushu, the Kitakyushu Manga Museum offers a fascinating look at Japanese manga culture. With its extensive collection, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences, it is a place where visitors can not only read manga but also understand how this unique art form has developed and continues to evolve.

Click here for the official web site

◆Address

5th and 6th Floors, Aruaru City, 2-14-5 Asano, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka 802-0001, Japan