The birthplace of novelist Dazai Osamu, "Shayokan," is a huge mansion of 680 tsubo! [Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture]

Kanekicho, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture is known as the town where novelist Dazai Osamu was born and raised.

we will introduce Shayokan, the Dazai Osamu Memorial Hall, where you can experience the background of Dazai Osamu, who has brought about the world of classics that are still being read, such as "No Longer Human" and "Shayo."

Access to “Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum “Shayokan””

Kanagi Station is the sixth station after switching from Goshogawara Station on the JR Gono Line to the Tsugaru Railway Line. This Kanagimachi is the hometown where Dazai Osamu spent his childhood and young life.

The main street in front of the station is named "Melos Street" from Dazai Osamu's masterpiece, Run Melos. You will arrive at the "Shayokan" Dazai Osamu Memorial Hall, about five minutes' walk along Melos Street.

Kaneki Station offers a bicycle rental service called Dazai. Recommended for those who want to visit the town Dazai spent time.

A large mansion is Dazai's birthplace.

``Osamu Dazai Memorial Hall ``Shayokan'' is Dazai's birthplace ``Old Tsushima Residence.'' Dazai's real name is Shuji Tsushima

It was constructed in 1907 (Meiji 40) at a construction cost of approximately 40,000 yen at the time. It's a little hard to understand the amount at the time, but according to the Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking page, the value of 1 yen in 1902 was about 1,490 times that of Reiwa 1.

Link: Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking: How much is "1 yen" in the past worth today? Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and present, changes in monetary value (value of money)

In other words, if you multiply 40,000 yen in the Meiji era by 1,490 times, the current price becomes 59.6 million yen.

There are 11 rooms on the first floor, with 278 tsubo, and 8 rooms on the second floor are 116 tsubo. There is also a garden, and the site area is approximately 680 tsubo. It truly looks like a huge mansion. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 2004

In his work, "The Yearbook of Anguish," Dazai states , "This father built a terrible, large house. It is nothing but great."

After the war, the Tsushima family sold it, and from 1955 it became a tourist attraction in the former Kanagi-cho as the inn ``Shayo-kan.'' In 1996, it was purchased by the former Kanagi-cho, and the 46-year history of the ryokan ``Shayo-kan'' came to an end. I took it down. It was then renovated as the Osamu Dazai Memorial Hall and continues to this day.

Let's go inside "Shayokan"

When you enter ``Shayokan'', a dirt floor spreads out in your field of vision. At the back, there is a middle storehouse and a rice storehouse. There is a space called the Bunkokura Exhibition Room, where you can see the haori and hakama that Dazai wore, first editions of books, and manuscripts. There are 600 exhibits

Six of the eight rooms on the second floor are Japanese-style rooms. Of the remaining two rooms, one is a Western-style room and the other is a waiting room. The Western-style room has beautiful curtains and nice furniture, which is different from the Japanese atmosphere of the building as a whole.

Get Dazai original goods

Staff members go around and give explanations. I highly recommend listening to this as it will help you understand it better. Original goods such as T-shirts with Dazai's family crest, Tsurumaru, are also on sale. It can be said that it is an irresistible place for Dazai fans.

Summary of Osamu Dazai's birthplace "Shayoukan"

At ``Shayokan,'' you can truly feel the scent of Osamu Dazai's life. In addition to Shayokan, the surrounding areas include Osamu Dazai's evacuated house, Old Tsushima Family New Zashiki, Dazai Osamu Memories Plaza, Meiji High School Ruins, where Dazai used to go, and Serino, where Dazai used to play. There are many places connected to Dazai, such as ``Parks''.

This is a particularly recommended spot for those who are impressed by Osamu Dazai's novels or those who want to read them in the future.

Shayokan＜Information＞

• Name: Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum “Shayoukan”
• Address: 412-1 Asahiyama, Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0173-53-2020
• Official URL: Osamu Dazai Memorial Hall “Shayokan”

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