Shinjuku City Soseki Sanbo Memorial Museum

In short

The Shinjuku City Soseki Sanbo Memorial Museum stands on the former site of "Soseki Sanbo," where Natsume Soseki spent the final nine years of his life. Opened in 2017 (Heisei 29), it is the first full-scale memorial facility dedicated to Soseki. A part of the house where Soseki lived and wrote his masterpiece works has been reconstructed inside the museum.

• ​Reconstructed Soseki Sanbo​​: Inside the museum, visitors can view the study, guest room, and veranda-style corridor of the house where he wrote works such as Sanshiro and Kokoro.
• ​The Stage of Mokuyokai​​: The "Mokuyokai" (Thursday Gathering), where people who admired Soseki gathered—including Akutagawa Ryunosuke and Terada Torahiko—was held continuously at this house.
• ​Soseki Park​​: In the adjacent park, there is a bust of Soseki with the phrase "Sokuten Kyoshi" inscribed on its pedestal and a cat mound dedicated to the memorial services of the Natsume family's pets.

History and Highlights

The ​Shinjuku City Soseki Sanbo Memorial Museum​ is located on the former site of "Soseki Sanbo," where Natsume Soseki spent the nine years from September 1907 (Meiji 40) until his death on December 9, 1916 (Taisho 5). It opened on September 24, 2017, as the first full-scale memorial facility for Soseki.

Soseki moved to Waseda-minamicho following his appointment as an exclusive writer for the Asahi Shimbun. At this house, he wrote masterpieces such as Sanshiro, Sorekara, and Kokoro.

Soseki Sanbo was also a gathering place for literary figures. Young people who admired Soseki gathered here, and because their visiting day was Thursday, it was called the "Mokuyokai." Mokuyokai began in 1906 (Meiji 39) in Komagome Sendagi-cho, and after moving to Waseda-minamicho, it became a cultural salon. Its members included Takahama Kyoshi, Terada Torahiko, Komiya Toyotaka, Uchida Hyakken, Matsuoka Yuzuru, and Akutagawa Ryunosuke. On January 9, 1917 (Taisho 6), one month after Soseki's death, his disciples gathered to remember him. From then on, the "Kokonokakai" was held on the 9th of each month, the day of his monthly memorial, continuing until the early Showa period.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Reconstructed Soseki Sanbo​​: Part of Soseki Sanbo, where Soseki lived, wrote numerous masterpieces, and passed away, has been recreated. The study, guest room, and veranda-style corridor have been reconstructed as faithfully as possible.
• ​Exhibits on Soseki and His Works​​: The introductory exhibition introduces Soseki's connection to Shinjuku, his life, his personality, and his family. The materials exhibition room on the second floor hosts regular and special exhibitions, displaying manuscripts, letters, and first editions owned by Shinjuku City.
• ​Library and Book Cafe​​: In the library, visitors can read Soseki's works and related books. At the book cafe, you can enjoy original menu items inspired by Soseki while reading a book.

Walking Tips

It is a 10-minute walk from Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. Adjacent to the memorial museum is Shinjuku City Soseki Park. The park features a bust of Soseki sculpted by Tominaga Naoki, and its pedestal is inscribed with the words "Sokuten Kyoshi." The cat mound, erected by the surviving family after Soseki's death to memorialize the dogs, cats, and birds kept by the Natsume family, has also been recreated. At Michikusa-an, related materials and panels about Soseki are on display. The slope leading from Waseda Station to the Kikuicho Campus of Waseda University is "Natsume-zaka," named by Soseki's father; right near the start of the uphill slope stands a stone monument marking the birthplace of Natsume Soseki. The Yayoi Kusama Museum is approximately 120 meters to the southeast, and Okuma Auditorium is approximately 660 meters to the northwest.