By Wonsuh Song
Since its opening a few years ago, the Waseda International House of Literature—better known as the Haruki Murakami Library—has become more than just a library. It is now a cultural landmark in Tokyo and a symbolic face of Waseda University. Although visitors once needed to make reservations, it is now much easier to enter, and the site is bustling daily with students and tourists alike. Particularly striking is the growing number of group visitors from the West, reflecting how much this space contributes to Waseda’s international appeal.
The building itself, redesigned by architect Kengo Kuma from Waseda’s former Faculty of Letters building, is a work of art. Upon entering, visitors are immediately captivated by shelves lined with Haruki Murakami’s works in multiple languages. Seeing his novels translated and loved across so many countries is impressive in itself. At the end of the display, a framed photo of Murakami’s writing desk offers a glimpse into his meticulous sensibility—even a single cup or his old Macintosh computer hints at the precision and subtlety behind his creativity.
Further inside, a listening room plays the music Murakami cherished, especially jazz, creating a healing space where one can immerse in the same soundscape that inspired him. Upstairs, rotating exhibitions reveal a refined attention to detail rarely found in large museums, while another area allows visitors to view video archives or listen to audiobooks. His studio, filled with his unique sensibility, also draws attention as an intimate creative space.
Yet the true highlight lies underground. Beyond the Orange Cat café, visitors can view a reconstruction of Murakami’s study through a glass wall. Every detail—from the desk and chair to the sofa and computer—recreates the atmosphere of his creative world. Even the shape of the chair sparks speculation about his lifestyle and habits. More than a display, this is a lived environment, a place where literature itself was born.
Another unexpected highlight is the restroom on the first basement floor. Far from being ordinary, it is a showcase of thoughtful design, with pictograms and interiors that embody both “Japanese detail” and “Murakamian sensibility.”
I have visited the library more than ten times. Even those with little background in literature can sense Murakami’s refined sensibility and Japan’s remarkable eye for detail throughout the space. Students treat it as a place of healing, while tourists experience it as a gateway into Tokyo’s cultural depth. For anyone visiting Japan, I strongly recommend the Haruki Murakami Library at Waseda University. It is not simply a library, but a living cultural experience.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
댓글 남기기