Facts about Literature in Okayama City

Okayama has a variety of initiatives and achievements related to literature.We will introduce them.

That story that almost all Japanese know originated in Okayama.

The Okayama Prefectural Library ranks first among prefectural libraries in Japan in terms of the number of items checked out.（「Japanese Library Statistics and Directory 2022」　Japan Library Association）
Okayama Prefectural Library   Statistical dataOpen in a new window

The Okayama City Library checks out 3.8 million items per year.
Outline of Okayama City Library / statistical data

The Okayama City Library was built in 1916 with donations from citizens!
（With the offer of a donation of construction funds by Tadasaburo Yamamoto）

A private library (Keigido) established by the Komoto family, a wealthy merchant in the 16th century, had a collection of 30,000 books.

Okayama City's public elementary and junior high schools have almost 100% school librarians (the national average is about 70%)

Okayama City has continued to Literature Award for 40 years (since 1985) Tsubota Joji Literature Award and Citizens' Fairy Tale Award　
Okayama City Literature Award

Okayama City's unique industry compared to other cities is printing.

Many of the artists are from or have connections with Okayama City.

Yoko Ogawa, Maha Harada, Kiyoshi Shigematsu, Atsuko Asano, Yumeji Takehisa, Rui Kodemari, Seishi Yokomizo, Shimako Iwai, etc.

Okayama City has been selected as an “SDGs Future City” by the Japanese Government in 2018.

Okayama City was designated by the United Nations University as a “Regional Centre of Expertise on ESD in 2005.

Okayama City is registered as a “UNESCO Leaning City” in 2016.