Ando Tadao is a renowned Japanese architect known for his minimalist designs and innovative use of concrete. He was born in 1941, in Osaka. After traveling around the world, he self-studied architecture and founded Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in 1969. Some of his famous works are located on the remote islands of Naoshima and Teshima, which float in the Setonaikai. These islands, known globally as “art islands,” are part of Kagawa Prefecture and feature numerous buildings designed by him. They are popular spots that attract visitors from both domestic and international locations.
Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest is a children’s library designed and donated by Tadao Ando. Nakanoshima is a cultural area with a range of historic buildings, including museums and libraries. The stylish exterior with white and gray tones features a gracefully arching design and stands out in Nakanoshima Park, which is beautifully situated by the waterfront.
At the entrance, you will be greeted by a large green apple, inspired by the theme of “youth.” This facility is imbued with a desire to nurture boundless creativity and curiosity. The aim is for individuals to spontaneously engage with the words, emotions, and ideas found within books, and to realize that there are people and lifestyles different from their own in the world. After receiving an explanation at the entrance, let’s step into the Forest of Books.
The building features three floors with open ceilings, and the walls from floor to ceiling are entirely lined with bookshelves. Approximately 20,000 books of various genres are organized into 12 themes, ranging from baby books to manga and specialized texts. Gentle light streams in through the windows, brightly illuminating the interior. The low-positioned windows are designed to match children’s eye levels. You are free to choose where to read. There are seats integrated with the bookshelves, chairs by the windows, a grand staircase in the center of the building, on the floor, or you can even read while lying on the grass outside.
The walls are entirely lined with books, but the books from the fifth row and above are secured with fishing lines, ensuring they won’t fall even in the event of a major earthquake. Additionally, books placed on high, unreachable shelves are also available on the lowest shelf, allowing easy access for everyone.
The playful spaces are full of tricks.
There are narrow spaces between the bookshelves and doors reminiscent of “Anywhere Door” from Doraemon, ensuring that visitors never get bored.
A round room that feels like a secret base is themed around life and death. Floating three-dimensional letters in the space extract impressive short phrases from books, providing a great starting point for reading. These three-dimensional letters are found throughout the facility.
At the back of the facility, there is a cylindrical concrete space enveloped in silence. Gentle light streams in through small round windows in the ceiling. Words and images from picture books are projected onto the concrete walls, creating a warm and touching experience, even though they are displayed on the cool, cylindrical surface.
Events and story-telling sessions are held on different days. Today was a story-telling day, so the staff read us two selected books. We sat on the grand staircase and listened attentively. One of the two books was “Asa”(morning) by Shuntaro Tanikawa, a photo poetry collection. It reminded us that the mornings we take for granted are truly beautiful and wonderful. I was deeply moved, especially since adults rarely get the chance to have stories read to them.
Advance reservations are required via the official website. The facility operates on a 90-minute rotating schedule and admission is free. At the entrance, you can also enjoy shopping for goods. It’s a space that values harmony with nature, offering a lovely experience.
The official website : Nakanosima Children’s Book Forest
RESERCVATION TIME
A：9：30 ～ 11：00
B：11：30 ～ 13：00
C：13：30 ～ 15：00
D：15：30 ～ 17：00
ACCESS
- Keihan Nakanoshima Line, Naniwabashi Station, Exit 3, immediately nearby.
- Osaka Metro Midosuji Line / Keihan Main Line, Yodoyabashi Station, Exit 1 (approximately 400 meters).
- Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line / Keihan Main Line, Kitahama Station, Exit 26 (approximately 200 meters).
