I visited the Fujieda City Local History Museum and Literary Museum. A world of history, literature, and a touch of nostalgic Showa retro charm.

What is the Fujieda City Local History Museum?

The Fujieda City Local History Museum is a beloved facility where citizens can learn about local history and culture. The building itself has a calm atmosphere, and upon entering, you immediately get the impression of a “place where time flows quietly.” The exhibition rooms are compact yet well-organized by theme, and it’s great that they’re designed to be enjoyable not only for history buffs but also for families with children.

And right at the entrance stands the surviving B15 locomotive from the Shizuoka Railway’s Sun-En Line light railway. Man, this is just irresistible for enthusiasts, isn’t it?

Permanent Exhibition Content

Photography is generally prohibited inside the museum except for authorized exhibits, so I’ll describe things without pictures.

First to greet you is the display on Fujieda’s history. Jomon-period pottery and stone tools, Kofun-period artifacts—it really makes you realize, “Wow, people have lived in Fujieda for much longer than I imagined.” Materials about the Tokaido Fujieda Post Station are also on display, clearly showing how “Fujieda flourished as a post town in the past.”

There are also displays of household tools and farming implements. Seeing things like this makes you want to exclaim, “My grandmother had something just like this in her storage room!” It’s strange how history you might have skimmed over in textbooks suddenly feels much more relatable when displayed alongside familiar tools.

Literary Figures ― Kunio Ogawa, Shizuo Fujieda, Masao Kato

Fujieda is also a town that has produced many literary figures. The museum features a section dedicated to them, allowing visitors to explore each of their unique worldviews.

Kunio Ogawa

An author who depicted Fujieda’s nature and people in a quiet style. Known for works like his masterpiece “Apollo’s Island.” The exhibition features handwritten manuscripts and recreates the atmosphere of his study, making it fascinating to imagine, “So this is how he wrote his works while gazing at Fujieda’s scenery.”

By the way, I found “Apollo’s Island” after searching through bookstores in Fujieda City and decided to read it. …It was tough going💦

あわせて読みたい

枝っ子作家 小川国夫|藤枝市ホームページ 小川国夫 （作家） 〈1927－2008〉   

Shizuo Fujieda

A key figure in postwar literature. Though somewhat challenging, his unique style has garnered a devoted following. Browsing the exhibits makes you realize just how diverse literature can be.

By the way, his real name is Jiro Katsumi. Fujieda Shizuo… well, it’s a bit lame, isn’t it? I couldn’t help but think that. lol

あわせて読みたい

孤高の作家医師 藤枝静男|藤枝市ホームページ 藤枝静男（本名・勝見次郎）は、明治41年（1908）1月1日、志太郡藤枝町市部（現・藤枝市本町）に薬局を営む父勝見鎮吉・母ぬいの次男として生まれ、小学校を卒業するまで...

加藤まさお

A writer who penned children’s literature, leaving behind works beloved by children. Learning that such a children’s author hailed from Fujieda makes me feel a little proud as a local. His most famous work is “Moonlit Desert.” I think everyone knows the song~

“Moonlit~ desert~, far and wide~♪” If you’re curious, look it up.

あわせて読みたい

「月の沙漠」の詩人 加藤まさを|藤枝市ホームページ 加藤まさを （抒情画家・詩人） 〈1897－1977〉 

In addition to the three individuals mentioned above, there is also a haiku poet named Murakoshi Sekka. A monument to Murakoshi Sekka stands in the village of Gyokuro.

あわせて読みたい

Home of the Gyokuro　玉露の里 Hello~!I know this is sudden, but Fujieda City is famous for tea, isn't it? Yes, it is famous for tea. But what is the most expensive type of tea?Gyokuro. Yo...

Not only literature lovers, but even those who don’t usually read much will surely discover, “So this writer came from Fujieda?”

Exhibition of Showa-era Retro Goods

And what got me personally most excited this time was the exhibit recreating Showa-era living. There are actual photographs on display, and you’ll find rows upon rows of low tables, black rotary phones, and vintage posters.

“How do you make a call on a rotary phone?” When kids ask questions like that, explaining it can be quite a challenge. Looking at the Showa-era toys and advertising posters placed beside the TV makes me feel like I’ve returned to my own childhood.

For older folks, it’s a constant stream of “How nostalgic!” While for younger people, it looks fresh and stylish. I think the appeal of this exhibit lies in how different generations can enjoy it in their own unique ways.

A place to learn about Fujieda’s history

Fujieda City was once a bustling town known as Fujieda-juku, one of the fifty-three stations along the Tōkaidō highway. Tracing the roots of today’s lively station area and shopping district leads us back to this post town culture. Through the museum’s exhibits, imagining that “travelers from the Edo period walked these very same streets we walk today” changes how you see the town.

Moreover, Fujieda is synonymous with tea. Exhibits featuring farming tools and tea production reveal how “Fujieda, the Green Tea Town” was shaped over time.

Summary ― A local cultural hub you can easily drop by

Fujieda City Local History Museum struck me as more than just a historical archive—it’s a place that offers opportunities to learn about the local area.

History buffs can enjoy the flow from ancient times to the post town era.

Literature lovers can immerse themselves in the worlds of authors like Kunio Ogawa and Shizuo Fujieda.

Families with children can have a blast with the Showa retro exhibits.

It’s a museum where such a wide range of visitors can each find their own way to enjoy it. Even if you’re just strolling through Rengeji Pond Park or enjoying the cherry blossoms, I highly recommend stopping by. Even if you’ve been before, visiting again after a while is sure to bring new discoveries.