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

Kanagi Town in Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, is known as the town where novelist Osamu Dazai was born and raised

we will introduce the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan," where you can learn about the upbringing of Dazai Osamu, who produced a series of masterpieces that are still read today, such as "No Longer Human" and "Shayo."

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Access to the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan"

From Goshogawara Station on the JR Gono Line, transfer to the Tsugaru Railway Line and you'll arrive at Kanagi Station, the sixth station. Kanagi Town is the hometown where Dazai Osamu spent his childhood and youth.

The main street in front of the station is named "Melos Street" after Dazai Osamu's masterpiece, "Run, Meros." Walking along Meros Street for about 5 minutes, you will arrive at the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan."

Kanagi Station offers a rental bicycle service called the Dazai-go, which is recommended for those who want to explore the town where Dazai spent his time

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The large mansion where Dazai was born

The "Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum Shayokan" is the former Tsushima residence, where Dazai was born. Dazai's real name was Tsushima Shuji

It was built in 1907 (Meiji 40) at a construction cost of approximately 40,000 yen in the then-current currency. It's a little hard to put into context with the current currency, but according to the Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation website, the value of 1 yen in 1901 was approximately 1,490 times that of the current value of 2019

Link: Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation: How much is 1 yen in the past? Changes in monetary value (value of money) from the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and present eras

In other words, if you multiply 40,000 yen in the Meiji era by 1,490, it would be equivalent to 59.6 million yen in today's value

There are 11 rooms on the first floor, measuring 992m², and 8 rooms on the second floor, measuring 430m². There is also a garden, and the grounds cover an area of ​​approximately 2200m². It truly is a grand mansion. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan

In his work "Yearbook of Suffering," Dazai wrote , "This father built an incredibly large house.It has no charm whatsoever, it's just big."

After the war, the Tsushima family sold it, and in 1950 it became a tourist attraction in the former Kanagi town as the "Shayokan" inn. It was later purchased by the former Kanagi town in 1996, and the "Shayokan" inn closed its doors after 46 years of history. It was then renovated into the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum, where it remains to this day

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Let's enter the Shayokan

When you enter the Shayokan, you will see a wide dirt floor. Behind them are the inner storehouse and the rice storehouse. There is also a space called the Bunkogura Exhibition Room, where you can see the haori and hakama worn by Dazai, as well as first editions and manuscripts. There are a total of 600 .

Of the eight rooms on the second floor, six are Japanese-style. Of the remaining two, one is a Western-style room and the other is a waiting room. The Western-style room has beautiful curtains and lovely furnishings, giving it a fresh feel, in contrast to the overall Japanese atmosphere of the building

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Get your hands on some original Dazai merchandise

Staff members make rounds to give explanations, which are highly recommended as they will help you gain a deeper understanding. Original goods are also available for purchase, such as T-shirts featuring Dazai's family crest, the "Tsurumaru" crest. This is a must-see place for Dazai fans

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Summary of Dazai Osamu's birthplace, "Shayokan"

At Shayokan, you can truly feel the scent of Dazai Osamu's life. In addition to Shayokan, the surrounding area is dotted with places associated with Dazai, such as the "Old Tsushima Family Residence," where Dazai was evacuated, "Dazai Osamu Memorial Square," the former Meiji Higher Elementary School where Dazai attended, and Serino Park, where Dazai used to play

This is a must-visit spot for those who have been impressed by Dazai Osamu's novels or who would like to read them in the future

Shayokan＜Information＞

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

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