Itabashi Central Library – Tokyo’s Parkside Knowledge Oasis

Rising gently amidst the trees of Heiwa Park, Itabashi Central Library opened its doors in March 2021, ushering in a new era of civic and cultural integration for the ward . Its four above-ground and one basement floor structure is designed around fluid movement—from the lively, glass-walled children’s picture-book hall on the first floor to the serene, wood-toned reading rooms above . The library earned both the Good Design Award and the Japan Library Association’s Architectural Prize, thanks to its blend of form, function, and green engagement (). The heart of the first floor is the Itabashi Bologna Picture Book Library, a whimsical hall stocked with around 30,000 colorful books in some 70 languages, celebrating the sister-city bond with Bologna and inviting families into a world of global storytelling . Shoeless reading circles, interactive storytelling events, and a cozy café spilling onto an adjacent terrace make it a beloved community hub. Climbing to the second and third floors, the mood shifts from playful to focused. Wide terraces bridge the indoors with the park, while louvered screens diffuse sunlight into study areas, teen corners, reference collections, quiet classrooms, and community consultation desks . A generous reading seat count across open-plan stacks makes it a popular spot for self-study, book club meetings, and casual meetings. Whether you’re watching children immerse in picture books under tree-filtered light, browsing multilingual stacks, or settling under wood-panel warmth with a novel in hand, Itabashi Central Library is a thoughtfully designed sanctuary—where architecture, nature, and the love of reading come together. Admission and parking are free (bicycle and car), and public transport access from Tobu-Tojo Line stations makes it an easy and inspiring stop in northern Tokyo . #tokyospots