Morioka Kyokaku Kenji Youth Hall

Overview

The Morioka Kyokaku Kenji Youth Hall is a literary museum located in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. Housed in the former head office building of the 90th National Bank, completed in 1910, it's a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. The imposing brick building speaks to the prosperity of Morioka during that era. The museum features precious materials and works related to the youth of Ishigaki Kyokaku and Miyazawa Kenji. See their writings, handwritten manuscripts, photographs, and letters, offering a deep dive into their literary worlds. Dioramas, videos, and audio recordings recreate the city and culture of Morioka at that time, bringing the past vividly to life. The former bank building itself is a masterpiece, incorporating elements of German Romanesque architecture. Admire the beautiful design—the weighty brick exterior, arched windows, and high ceilings—a testament to the advanced architectural techniques of the time. The Morioka Kyokaku Kenji Youth Hall is an invaluable place to understand these two literary figures and the era in which they lived. It's a tourist spot where you can experience history and culture and make new discoveries.