Yamamoto Yuzo Memorial Museum Yamamoto Yuzo, an author and honorary citizen, lived in this Western country house style building, along the Tamagawa River. During the war, the living room was opened to children as Mitaka children's library, and after the war, it was confiscated by the Occupation Forces. Currently, the manuscripts written by Yuzo, as well as first editions and photos are displayed for public viewing. It is said that the building was built by a trader in the Taisho period (1912 - 1926). The design of the mantelpiece in the living room and the luxurious construction of the parquet flooring are its highlights and architecturally worth a view. The Japanese room with tatami mats at the center of the 2nd floor, used to be a Western room, but was refurbished under Yuzo's directions. The articles left behind are displayed in a simple and neat space of sukiya-zukuri (a tea ceremony cottage) room, in such a way that looks exactly how it was when he was alive. When he lived in this Western-style house, Robo-no ishi, his signature work, was written. He also protested against the trend at the time, in which many difficult Chinese characters were overused in literature, and wrote War and Two Women advocating easy-to-read words and phrases in literature. Free admission / Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, the following two days are closed instead) 2-12-27 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi / 0422-42-6233

Mitaka City Gallery of Art This small art gallery is located in the shopping building, and it is accessible through the pedestrian deck from Mitaka Station, south exit. They collect as well as research art works. There are three good displaying rooms in the small space, and the Gallery holds special exhibitions four times a year. Since its opening in 1993, it has displayed some exhibitions with an individual artist's own works, including Yokoyama Misao and Hasegawa Kiyoshi in addition to an exhibition of Hughlane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Dublin collection. They provide some space for local amateur artists to present works and for organizations. The gallery is near the station and open until 8:00 p.m., so visitors can stop by after work. CORAL 5F, 3-35-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi / 0422-79-0033

Mitaka City Arts Center This is an art complex facility containing a concert hall "Kaze-no Hall" (photo) with 625 seats, a multi-purpose hall "Hoshi-no Hall" with 250 seats, as well as rooms for art production, exhibition, and music practice. The complex is utilized for presentations, sponsored by Mitaka City Arts Foundation, in addition to occasion for citizens' artistic and cultural activities. "Kaze-no Hall" is designed in a genuine shoe box shape, which produces proper acoustic effects for chamber music as well as vocal classical music concerts. "Hoshi-no Hall" is used for theater plays, Japanese classical entertainment, symposiums and for other wide-ranging activities. Other facilities in the complex include three conference rooms and restaurants. 6-12-14 Kamirenjaku, Mitaka-shi / 0422-47-9100