Celebrating the work of an author whose work spanned multiple decades, the Ayako Miura Literature Museum is truly a labor of love. It was started and is maintained by a group of amateurs as a celebration of the famed author’s life. Miura is best known for her first novel, published in 1964 and translated into English as Freezing Point and turned into a movie. She ultimately wrote over 80 works, both fiction and non-fiction. At the museum you are able to trace Miura’s life, from her impoverished childhood in Asahikawa to her illustrious career in Japanese arts and letters.
Ride the bus out of town and feel the air change as it penetrates into the forest preserve surrounding the museum. Walk toward the understated building, listening for the sounds of squirrels and birds playing in the trees.
Once inside, walk slowly around the exhibits. Read evocative passages from her autobiography juxtaposed with items from her life. Imagine the intense creative energy that followed her conversion to Christianity after a painful period of having to live in a full-body cast.
Peruse excerpts from some of her novels or settle in the on-site library to tackle the words that made her famous. Watch the film adaptation of Freezing Point in the small theater before heading back out into the wilderness.
Wander through the trees, whose presence helped inspire much of Ayako Miura’s work. Picture her walking beneath the leafy branches, imagining her next story.
The Ayako Miura Literature Museum is located just outside Asahikawa. Take the bus from the center of town in about 10 minutes to a bus stop that is a 5-minute walk from the museum. Drive in about 7 minutes. On-site parking is available. Get to the museum in about 25 minutes by train from the Asahikawa’s main station.
The museum is open daily from June to September. Its opening schedule during the rest of the year can be sporadic, so check online before visiting. Lecture schedules are also posted on the website. There is a small admission fee. Most exhibits are translated into Mandarin and English.
