The Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Museum is a museum dedicated to Masao Kato, the lyricist of the beloved Japanese children’s song “Tsuki no Sabaku” (The Moonlit Desert). The museum opened on July 8, 1990, to preserve and introduce Kato’s works, personal belongings, and materials related to the famous song.
Today, the museum is loved by both local residents and visitors as a place where they can discover the achievements of Masao Kato and experience the distinctive world of “Tsuki no Sabaku.”
The Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Museum is a two-story building. The first floor contains a temporary exhibition gallery and a gift shop, while the second floor houses the main Masao Kato Exhibition Room.
The second-floor exhibition introduces Kato’s works and personal belongings, including materials related to “Tsuki no Sabaku,” which is said to have been inspired by the coastline of Onjuku.
“Tsuki no Sabaku” was composed by Suguru Sasaki and was first released as a recording with Harumi Yanai as the singer.
Since its publication, the song has been performed by many singers and passed down from generation to generation. Its poetic imagery and gentle atmosphere have made it a beloved children’s song in Japan.
Masao Kato also wrote and composed the school song for the former Iwawada Elementary School in Onjuku. The school was later merged with another school and is now part of Onjuku Elementary School.
His involvement with the local school provides another indication of his close connection with Onjuku and the affection he had for the town.
A gift shop is located at the entrance of the museum and sells souvenirs associated with Onjuku and the “Tsuki no Sabaku” theme.
The shop can be visited without paying the museum admission fee, making it a convenient place to browse for local specialties and commemorative goods even if you do not enter the exhibition areas.
The temporary exhibition gallery on the first floor hosts exhibitions and events featuring artists, writers, and other cultural figures connected with Onjuku.
Local events are also held here, including activities such as the Onjuku Town Hanging Hina Doll Exhibition, which introduces a traditional seasonal decoration and the cultural character of the community.
Information about current and upcoming exhibitions can be checked through the official information provided by Onjuku Town.
Directly in front of the museum is Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Park. At the center of the park stands the famous Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Statue, inspired by the imagery of the song.
The statue depicts a prince and princess riding a camel, symbolizing the dreamlike desert landscape portrayed in “Tsuki no Sabaku.”
The present statue is the second-generation monument and was erected in 1990. The original statue was donated to Nozawaonsen Village in Nagano Prefecture, which has a sister-city relationship with Onjuku.
A stone monument engraved with the opening lines of “Tsuki no Sabaku” stands beside the statue, providing another way to experience the imagery of the famous work.
The Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Statue is an attractive photography spot throughout the year. The statue can be photographed against different seasonal scenery, including sunrises and star-filled night skies.
The location is particularly well known as a place to watch the first sunrise of the New Year, making it a popular destination around New Year’s Day.
The camel motif associated with “Tsuki no Sabaku” can be found throughout Onjuku.
As you explore the town, look carefully around the railway station, streetlights, tourist information displays, flower beds, and other public spaces. Camel decorations appear in various unexpected places.
Searching for these hidden camel motifs can turn an ordinary walk through Onjuku into a fun sightseeing activity.
The children’s song “Tsuki no Sabaku” originated from a poem and illustrated work created by Masao Kato, which was later set to music.
It is said that the scenery of Onjuku Beach, which Kato visited while recuperating, provided inspiration for the poem. The distinctive character “沙” in the title, rather than the more commonly used character for sand, is also said to have been chosen by Kato to evoke the appearance and atmosphere of sand along the seashore.
Onjuku Beach, located close to the museum, is an important place for understanding the atmosphere behind “Tsuki no Sabaku.” Its broad sandy shoreline allows visitors to experience the coastal landscape associated with the song.
Kato himself eventually moved to Onjuku Town later in life and spent his final years there, further strengthening the connection between the poet and the town.
The Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Museum offers more than an introduction to a famous children’s song. It provides a window into the literary, artistic, and cultural history of Onjuku through the life and work of Masao Kato.
After visiting the museum, take a walk through Memorial Park, see the camel statue, and continue toward the sandy shores of Onjuku Beach. Experiencing the landscape that inspired the song makes it possible to appreciate the poetic world of “Tsuki no Sabaku” from a new perspective.