The International Library of Children's Literature (Tokyo)

General Information

Japanese Name: 国際子ども図書館
Address: Ueno Park 12-49 Taitoku-ku Tokyo-to 110-0007 JAPAN
Japanese Address: 〒110-0007　東京都台東区上野公園 12-49
Phone Number: 03-3827-2053 (Taped Information: 03-3827-2069)
Email Address: webinfo AT ndl.go.jp
Fax: 03-3827-2043
Online: http://www.kodomo.go.jp/index.jsp
Database Search: http://kodomo3.kodomo.go.jp/web/ippan/html/KJN.html
Entry Fee: Free (Must be 18 years or older to use the library)
Opening Times: T-Su, 9:30-17:00. November-February Sundays close at 16:00. Materials can be requested from 9:30-16:30.
Closed: Closed Mondays, national holidays (Detailed Calendar)
Information Last Confirmed: February 17th, 2004

Directions

The nearest stop is Uguisudani (鴬谷) but trains do not run frequently there. It is only a short distance from Ueno station, through the park. You can see it located on any of the maps in and around the park. Take the park exit (公園改札), cross the street and walk to the right of the 東京文化会館. Keep walking through Ueno park until you get to Ueno Zoo. Turn right and follow the edge of the (right side) of the zoo which eventually leads you around the back of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum and passed some makeshift homeless shelters. You will reach an intersection, cross it and pass the Kuroda Memorial hall on your left. The library/museum is the next main building on the left hand side. It is a pleasant 10 minute walk from Ueno station.

Map of the Area

Usage

There are brochures available as you enter the library/museum. Because the library and the museum occupy an old building, its rooms are a bit spread out and it is not immediately obvious where to go. The library's rooms are on the second floor. There are lockers on the right as you face the elevator.

To use the library, follow the hall to the left (facing the elevator) and fill out a small library card at the booth provided. You may use this card on multiple visits to the library. After filling it out, hand it to the reception in the main library room to the left. You will be given a badge to wear while around the museum.

About half of the materials in the library are open stacks, while other materials need to be requested. Periodicals and some other materials are available in a second reading room near the lockers.

There is a museum, children's area, and some exhibits to be found on other floors of the building.

If it is inconvenient to visit the library, other local libraries in Japan can be asked to borrow the materials and will then allow you to view them in your own local library.

Facilities

Card Catalogs: None
Computers: 6 Computers for Database Search of the library and National Diet Library holdings
Reading Room: Not separate, seats in the open stacks area and the second reading room.
Photocopy Machines: None. Photocopy service provided by application. 80 Pages per request. Copies can be requested between 10:00-16:00. Photocopies can be requested via fax or email.
Photocopy Prices: A4/B4 (B&W) 24 Yen. A3 48 Yen A3/B4 (Color) 200 Yen.
Bathrooms: Available on each floor.
Vending Machines:
Nearby Food: There is a cafeteria on the first floor to the right of the elevator.

Collections of Note

In addition to Japanese children's literature, there is a collection of children's literature from other countries, especially Asia. There are also a selection of textbooks, up to and including high school.

Other Notes, Comments and Experiences

Lockers are a bit small, but there are larger lockers available near the restrooms on the 2nd floor. K. M. Lawson (Last Visit: February 21st, 2004)

Japan Index

International Library Of Childrens Literature