The Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum is an interactive attraction dedicated to the hugely popular Japanese cartoon hero, Anpanman.
Anpanman is a superhero whose head is made from a sweet bean bun known as an anpan. In each episode, he battles the villainous Baikinman—the leader of the germ world—and his mischievous sidekicks, all while helping and protecting his friends, who also have bread-themed heads and special powers.
Much like Superman’s weakness to kryptonite, Anpanman has a vulnerability—his head becomes powerless if it gets wet or dirty. Luckily, the day is usually saved by his creator, Jam Ojisan (Uncle Jam), who is always ready to bake him a fresh new head when needed.
The Anpanman franchise is a massive business in Japan and across parts of Asia, aimed mainly at young children. There’s a huge range of merchandise available, including DVDs, toys, clothing, and sweets.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a gift shop attached to the museum packed with Anpanman products, as well as a small shopping area and the themed Anpanman Kitchen.
The Anpanman Children’s Museum is located a 7-minute walk from Takashima-chō Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line, or just a 3-minute walk from Shin-Takashima Station on the Minato Mirai Line. Entry to the first-floor shops and restaurants is free, offering a glimpse of what all the fuss is about. The museum itself is located on the second and third floors and requires an admission fee. Entry operates on a reserved date and time ticket system, with tickets available through the museum’s official website.
Official Site:
http://www.yokohama-anpanman.jp/main.html
