ISHINOMORI MANGA MUSEUM

Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, is known as a place associated closely with Shotaro Ishinomori, creator of many comic masterpieces like “Masked Rider” and “Cyborg 009.” The plan to build this museum emerged out of a talk between the comic artist and the then Mayor of Ishinomaki back in 1995. Their intention was to help the city thrive. Ishinomori created the original draft for the architecture. Though the disastrous earthquake and tsunami of 2011 brought serious damage to the museum, it reopened in November 2012, thanks to great help from numerous volunteers. Inside the museum, the permanent exhibits include 3D objects and 2D videos to depict Ishinomori’s creation. The museum also houses a movie hall and a library with some 6,000 comic books available for visitors to read. The museum store carries many items available only here.