This facility opened in 2001 to convey the spirit of author Shiba Ryotaro, who published many works including "Ryoma Goes On" and "On the Highway" and passed away suddenly in 1996. Shiba's home and the memorial hall, designed by Ando Tadao, stand adjacent to each other on a site of approximately 2,600 square meters. Once you pass through the main gate, you will find yourself in a small, wooded garden, where you can view through the window his study, which has been preserved in the same atmosphere as when he was writing. The entire 11-meter-high wall of the memorial hall is made up of bookshelves, and is filled with approximately 20,000 books. In the hall, videos of Shiba from his younger days are screened, and lectures and rakugo performances are also held. In addition, special exhibitions related to Shiba's works are held twice a year. "Photo courtesy of the Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Foundation"