Nogami Yaeko Literature Museum

The Nogami Yaeko Literature Museum (野上弥生子文学記念館), celebrates the life and literary achievements of Yaeko Nogami, one of Japan's most celebrated writers. Born in 1885 as the eldest daughter of the Shiroya Sake Brewery family, Yaeko moved to Tokyo at the age of 14 to pursue her studies. Her writing career blossomed after she married Toyoichiro Nogami, a connection that immersed her in the literary world of Soseki Natsume, her husband’s mentor and one of Japan’s most influential authors. Yaeko’s works, known for their depth and insight into human relationships, earned her multiple prestigious awards, including the Women's Literature Prize in 1964 for her novel Hideyoshi and Rikyu, and the Order of Culture in 1971.

The museum, dedicated to preserving Yaeko’s legacy, is housed in a renovated section of the original Kotegawa Sake Brewery, the very place where she was born. The museum offers visitors an immersive experience into Yaeko’s personal and professional life, with exhibits showcasing her literary works, personal artifacts, and historical context. Walking through the museum, visitors can explore her path from her early life in Usuki to her rise as a prominent figure in Japanese literature, providing a deep cultural connection to the town and the significant impact Yaeko Nogami had on Japan's literary world.