Shigeru Mizuki lost his left arm during a WWII bombing raid in New Britain, Papua New Guinea, and subsequently learned to draw manga using only his right hand.
The museum's new layout features a 'Yōkai Cave' section designed to immerse visitors in the eerie world of Japanese folklore.
The surrounding area of Sakaiminato features over 170 bronze statues of characters created by Mizuki, lining the main street leading to the museum.
Mizuki was a lifelong enthusiast of yōkai and spent significant time traveling to remote areas to research folklore legends before incorporating them into his art.
The museum displays a reconstructed version of Mizuki’s personal studio desk, reflecting his chaotic yet highly productive creative workspace.
The Mizuki Shigeru Museum is dedicated to the life and works of the late manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, best known for his iconic series GeGeGe no Kitaro. Following a major renovation and reopening in 2024, the museum features expanded gallery space and upgraded displays detailing Mizuki's artistic process and experiences in Papua New Guinea. Exhibits include original hand-drawn manuscript pages, personal items from his studio, and detailed dioramas depicting yōkai, the supernatural creatures central to his folklore-inspired stories. The facility serves as the cultural anchor of Sakaiminato, a city that has fully embraced his legacy through extensive public iconography. Visitors can view his creative journey from his wartime experiences to his success as a master of the yōkai genre.
The life-sized bronze statue of Kitaro and Medama-oyaji located right outside the main entrance.
Take time to explore the surrounding Mizuki Shigeru Road, where you can find themed manhole covers and shops selling character-inspired goods.
Check the museum's official website for temporary exhibitions that often highlight specific manga volumes or personal sketches not on permanent display.
Bring a camera, as the outdoor bronze statues provide endless photo opportunities before or after entering the building.
Do not rush through the museum; visitors who fail to read the translated captions for his personal stories miss the core emotional context of his work.
Open daily; check the website for potential maintenance closures as the museum occasionally updates specific exhibition zones.
Refrain from touching the original manuscript pages; maintain a quiet voice in the gallery areas.
