Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo

Painter and picture book author Chihiro Iwasaki, known for her gentle watercolor paintings of children, spent the last 22 years of her life in her home and studio, which is now the site of this museum. Established in 1977 as the world's first picture book museum, "Iwasaki Chihiro Picture Book Museum," it was expanded and reopened in 2002 as an entirely barrier-free facility.

Visitors can sit on the artist's own sofa to view her works, explore a replica of her studio, and have a unique experience. The area named "Chihiro's Garden" includes flowers and plants loved by Iwasaki, who enjoyed gardening. With exhibitions changing several times a year, both first-time and returning visitors can make new discoveries.

Designed as a "first museum" for children, various features are tailored for young visitors. Exhibits are placed at a child's eye level (135 cm from the floor), there's a "Library" with about 3,000 picture books from Japan and abroad, a "Children's Room" with wooden toys, and facilities like a nursing room and diaper-changing space, making it a museum enjoyable for families with small children.