Tottori: A Journey to the Roots of Gegege no Kitaro and Detective Conan

文：Fly GBA Editior

To attract more visitors, towns across Japan are getting creative. In Tottori Prefecture, both Sakaiminato City and Hokuei Town have developed anime-themed attractions dedicated to Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of Gegege no Kitaro, and Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan. Even the airports are named "Yonago Kitaro Airport" and "Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport," immersing travelers in the worlds of Kitaro and Conan from the moment they arrive!

Content List

Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum: Dive into the World of Monsters

鬼太郎、眼珠老爹、鼠男、子泣爺爺、撒砂婆婆和一反木棉在妖怪公寓共聚。.jpeg — Kitaro, Eyeball Father, Rat Man, Cry Grandpa, Sand Witch, and Backbeard gather at the Monsters Apartment.

The Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum is located in Sakaiminato City, the hometown of Shigeru Mizuki. It takes about 30 minutes by bus from Yonago Kitaro Airport or you can take the "Kitaro Train" from JR Yonago Station to JR Sakaiminato Station, followed by a 10-minute walk.

紀念館內展示水木茂的工作室。.jpeg — Inside the museum, a replica of Mizuki's studio has been recreated.

鬼太郎已有約70年歷史，造型隨時代變遷。.jpeg — GeGeGe no Kitaro has a history of about 70 years, and its appearance has evolved with the changing times.

The museum showcases Mizuki's tumultuous life, including his childhood stories, harsh wartime experiences, post-war life, and his iconic work, Gegege no Kitaro, which has been around for about 70 years. Inside, you can find Mizuki's studio, murals he personally painted, rental comics, masks collected from abroad, commemorative decorations, and videos explaining yokai, providing a multifaceted glimpse into the world of these mythical creatures. The special exhibition room features rare original artwork, with exhibits changing every six months.

水木茂漫畫世界展區，展示水木茂筆下的角色。.jpeg — The Mizuki Shigeru Manga World exhibition area showcases characters created by Mizuki Shigeru.

水木茂紀念館展示了鬼太郎父親如何變成眼珠老爹。.jpeg — The Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall displays how Kitaro's father transformed into Eyeball Father.

Mizuki Shigeru Road Filled with Yokai Statues

鬼太郎休閒地坐在街角，與眼珠老爹聊天。.jpeg — Kitaro leisurely sits at the street corner, chatting with Eyeball Father.

In addition to the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum, the 800-meter Mizuki Shigeru Road from Sakaiminato Station to Honmachi Shopping Street is also a popular sightseeing spot. This road is lined with 177 bronze statues of various yokai, including Kitaro, the Eyeball Old Man, Rat Man, and more. The Cat Girl even transforms into a bench for travelers to rest. Beyond the bronze statues, there are also a "Yokai Shrine," a "Yokai Mailbox," and a "Kappa Spring," making it feel like you're in a mysterious yokai world. At night, the illuminated statues take on a strange appearance, and special projection shows add to the fantastical atmosphere.

各種造型的妖怪青銅像在水木茂之路隨處可見。.jpeg — Various bronze statues of monsters in different forms can be seen along the Mizuki Shigeru Road.

貓女化身為長椅供人休息。.jpeg — The Cat Girl transforms into a bench for people to rest.

「小豆洗」是一種在河川邊出現的妖怪，會發出窸窸窣窣像淘洗小豆一樣的聲音，聲音可以傳得很遠。.jpeg — "Adzuki-washer" is a type of monster that appears by riversides, making a rustling sound like washing adzuki beans, which can be heard from a distance.

鼠男特徵是又髒又臭，且不介意為了賺快錢而背叛朋友。.jpeg — The Rat Man is characterized by being dirty and smelly, and he doesn't mind betraying friends for quick money.

Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum
Address: 5 Honmachi, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture

官網:https://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/

Encountering Conan in Hokuei Town

江戶川柯南誕生的場景_工藤新一家的圖書室(官網照片).jpg — The scene of Edogawa Conan's birth is the Kudo family's library.(official website photos)

"The truth is always one!" To uncover the "truth" of Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama, you must visit Hokuei Town, Aoyama's birthplace, known as the "town where you can meet Detective Conan." It takes about 50 minutes by car from JR Yonago Station to JR Yura Station, which is also called "Conan Station." Inside the station, you'll find many Detective Conan decorations, and there are "Conan Trains" operating as well. From JR Yura Station, a 20-minute walk along "Conan Avenue," lined with various cartoon character statues, will take you to the "Gosho Aoyama Museum."

青山剛昌故鄉館，讓遊人更深入了解《名偵探柯南》的世界。.jpeg — The Gosho Aoyama Museum allows visitors to delve deeper into the world of "Detective Conan".

等身大的阿笠博士坐在黃色甲蟲車上，仿如等候柯南和小蘭上車。.jpeg — Professor Agasa sitting life-size on the yellow Volkswagen Beetle, as if waiting for Conan and Ran to get in.

柯南與少年偵探團的成員，包括步美、灰原、光彥和元太。.jpeg — Conan and the members of the Detective Boys, including Ayumi, Haibara, Mitsuhiko, and Genta.

Outside the museum, Professor Agasa is seen waiting in a yellow Volkswagen Beetle, seemingly waiting for Conan and Ran. The museum introduces Hokuei Town, Aoyama's upbringing, and the globally popular Detective Conan, featuring a simulated studio of Gosho Aoyama that highlights the manga creation process and secrets, as well as showcasing Detective Conan volumes in over 20 languages.

青山剛昌模擬工作室，桌面推著大量畫作，可以想像青山剛昌努力作畫的樣子。.jpeg — The Gosho Aoyama Simulation Studio, with desks filled with numerous artworks, allowing one to imagine Gosho Aoyama diligently drawing.

Experience Professor Agasa's Great Inventions

踏上電動滑板親身體驗柯南追逐犯人的刺激。.jpeg — Embark on an electric skateboard to personally experience the thrill of Conan chasing after criminals.

青山剛昌故鄉館內不同造型的柯南和工藤新一的白色雕像。.jpeg — Inside the Gosho Aoyama Museum, there are white statues of Conan and Shinichi Kudo in different poses.

Visitors can personally experience various inventions designed by Professor Agasa for Conan. The "Electric Skateboard" allows you to step into Conan's shoes, simulating riding through the streets while avoiding obstacles to chase down criminals, providing a thrilling experience. You can also try Conan's "Voice-Changing Bowtie" to alter your voice, imagining yourself hiding behind Kogoro Mouri while solving mysteries. The museum also offers an electronic game that tests your knowledge of Gosho Aoyama's works.

The "Conan House in Beika Shopping Street" further showcases Conan's world, including Kudo Shinichi's house and the "Poirot Café" featured in the manga, along with "Conan's Kitchen," "Conan Italian Ice Cream," and "Conan Department Store," making you feel as if you are immersed in Conan's universe.