Dazai Osamu Literary Salon

In short

The ​Dazai Osamu Literary Salon​ is a small salon dedicated to the author Dazai Osamu, located about a 3-minute walk from the South Exit of Mitaka Station. Opened in 2008 on the former site of the sake shop "Isegen," which Dazai frequented, it was established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his passing and the 100th anniversary of his birth. Today, it functions as a book café where visitors can pick up and read Dazai's works.

• ​Approximately 1,500 Books​​: Visitors can browse books related to Dazai, centered on the "Yamanouchi Shoshi Collection" of Yamanouchi Shoshi, a leading authority on Dazai Osamu studies.
• ​Volunteer Guides​​: Guides stationed in the salon tell visitors about Dazai's life and his connection to Mitaka.
• ​Gateway to Sites Associated with Dazai​​: Mitaka is the place where Dazai spent about seven and a half years, serving as the base for his creative activities.

History and Highlights

The ​Dazai Osamu Literary Salon​ is a small salon dedicated to the author Dazai Osamu, situated in front of Mitaka Station. Dazai was born in 1909 in Kanagi Village, Aomori Prefecture. His real name was Tsushima Shuji.

In September 1939 (Showa 14), Dazai moved into a rented house in Shimorenjaku, Mitaka Village, making it his home for the rest of his life. Aside from the period of wartime evacuation, he spent about seven and a half years in Mitaka. Mitaka served as the base for his creative activities. Around the time he relocated to Mitaka, he wrote works such as Run, Melos!, and in the postwar period gained acclaim for works like The Setting Sun. He also produced pieces drawn from his daily life in Mitaka, including Villon's Wife and Cherries. On June 13, 1948 (Showa 23), shortly after the publication of the first installment of No Longer Human, he threw himself into the Tamagawa Aqueduct.

The salon opened in March 2008 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his passing in 2008 (Heisei 20) and the 100th anniversary of his birth the following year. It is located on the former site of "Isegen," a sake shop that Dazai frequented. Isegen also appears in Dazai's novel December 8. Today, the salon occupies the first floor of a building standing on this site.

In March 2022 (Reiwa 4), it reopened as a facility featuring the functions of a book café. Centered on the "Yamanouchi Shoshi Collection"—materials belonging to the late Yamanouchi Shoshi, who was a leading authority on Dazai Osamu—visitors can enjoy browsing approximately 1,500 books related to Dazai.

Highlights for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Books from the Yamanouchi Shoshi Collection​​: Part of the "Yamanouchi Shoshi Collection," deposited with Mitaka City by the family of the late Yamanouchi Shoshi, is available on open shelves. Visitors can spend unhurried time browsing through the books.
• ​Commentary by Volunteer Guides​​: Volunteer guides are stationed inside the facility to offer exhibition tours covering Dazai's life and Mitaka. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, upon request, they also provide guidance to spots associated with Dazai around Mitaka Station.
• ​Readings​​: Book readings of Dazai's works are also held at the salon. Special exhibitions regarding Dazai are held at the "Dazai Osamu Exhibition Room: Mitaka no Kono Chiisai Ie" located inside the Mitaka City Gallery of Art.

Walking Tips

It is about a 3-minute walk from the South Exit of Mitaka Station. Following the route around sites associated with Dazai Osamu in Mitaka City, the former site of Dazai Osamu's residence can be reached in about 8 minutes from the salon. Zenrin-ji Temple, where Dazai's grave is located, is about 680 meters south of the salon. Mitaka City Yamamoto Yuzo Memorial Museum, approximately 490 meters to the east, can be reached from the South Exit of Mitaka Station by walking along the Kaze-no-Sanpomichi Path bordering the Tamagawa Aqueduct.