About Shayokan

The Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum (Shayokan) is located in Kaneki-cho, Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture, and is widely known as the birthplace of Osamu Dazai, one of the most famous writers in Japanese literature. Osamu Dazai was a writer who greatly influenced Japanese literature through such masterpieces as “Ningen Shikkaku” and “Shayo,” and the Shayokan is a special place for visitors to gain a deeper understanding of his life and the world of his works. The pavilion was built in 1907 by Dazai's father, the Tsushima family, as the residence of a wealthy Aomori farmer of the time, and is characterized by its magnificent architecture and spacious grounds.

The main attraction of Shayokan is that visitors can enjoy the traditional architectural style of a Meiji-era Japanese house and the atmosphere of a grand mansion at the same time. Inside the museum, the room, study, and living room where Osamu Dazai spent his childhood have been preserved as they were, allowing visitors to get a sense of his upbringing and relationship with his family. In particular, the museum is rich in materials and exhibits that allow visitors to imagine Dazai's days before he began his literary activities, and to trace his footsteps leading up to his creative endeavors.

The Shayo Kan is also a place directly connected to the world of Osamu Dazai's works. The name of the museum, “Shayo,” symbolizes Dazai's feelings toward the house and his literary themes. Visitors will be able to experience Dazai's literary works and at the same time gain a deeper understanding of his views on life and the historical background behind his works.

In addition, the Shayo Kan exhibits a large number of Dazai's handwritten manuscripts, first editions, photographs, and other valuable materials, allowing visitors to deepen their knowledge of Dazai's literary works. The exhibits are changed regularly, so even repeat visitors can make new discoveries.

The area surrounding the Shayokan is dotted with paths that Dazai is said to have walked on and many places that appear in his works. A literary stroll through these places will be a special experience for visitors. In addition, the museum's cafe and store offer limited-edition goods and local specialties related to Dazai, making it a place that offers many things for both literature lovers and tourists to enjoy.

The Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum (Shayokan) is more than just a literature museum; it is a place where visitors can learn more about the life of one writer, Osamu Dazai, and by experiencing his literature and humanity, it provides an opportunity to rediscover the appeal of Japanese literature from a new perspective.