Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition Celebrates 50 Years of Galaxy Express 999 in Tokorozawa

A major exhibition dedicated to legendary manga creator Leiji Matsumoto is now being held at the Kadokawa Musashino Museum in Tokorozawa. The Galaxy Express 999 50th Anniversary Project: Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition – The Journey of Creation celebrates more than 70 years of the artist’s work and coincides with the 50th anniversary of his iconic series Galaxy Express 999. The exhibition runs from 19th September to 26th October 2026 in the museum’s 3rd Floor Exhibition Room, a space previously known as the EJ Anime Museum.

*Kadokawa Culture Museum is also called Kadcul for short or Kadokawa Musashino Museum.

A Journey Through Leiji Matsumoto’s Creative World

Since making his debut in 1954, Leiji Matsumoto has become one of Japan’s most influential manga creators. His works, including Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock, have gained fans around the world and continue to inspire new generations of creators.

The exhibition explores his long creative career through more than 300 items, including original artwork, materials from his early years, famous pieces from works such as Otoko Oidon, and previously unpublished items shown to the public for the first time. Visitors can discover the artist’s storytelling techniques, artistic style and the messages he hoped to pass on through his work.

Double the Galaxy Express 999 Experience

The museum is also hosting Galaxy Express 999 THE GALAXY EXPERIENCE: The Journey Continues, an immersive exhibition based on the classic 1979 animated film. Rather than simply watching the story, visitors can step into the world of the series and experience the journey alongside characters such as Tetsuro Hoshino and Maetel. The two exhibitions together create a unique opportunity to explore the enduring legacy of Leiji Matsumoto.

Special Collaboration Menu

To commemorate the exhibition, the museum’s fifth-floor SACURA DINER is offering a special collaboration drink inspired by Galaxy Express 999. Visitors can enjoy the themed beverage while taking in the atmosphere of the exhibition.

EJ Anime Museum / 3rd Floor Exhibition Space

The EJ Anime Museum opened at the Kadokawa Culture Museum (Kadcul) of Tokorozawa Sakura Town on November 6th 2020. It is just one of dozens of event and entertainment spaces in Kadcul. EJ Anime Museum is located on the 3rd floor of the Kadokawa Culture Museum. EJ stands for Entertainment Japan. There was also an EJ Anime Hotel at Tokorozawa Sakura Town from October 1st 2020 to May 31st 2023. Since around winter 2025, they are no longer referring to the space as the EJ Anime Museum, they just call it the 3rd Floor Exhibition Space.

A floor by floor guide of Kadcul:

Concurrent events

There are always several different events running at Sakura Town. Other events on when the exhibition opens include (but are not limited to):

• A Galaxy Express exhibition
• “Wonder” Birds exhibition
• Little Shark on the Go: OiSEA TanoSEA Sakura Town Stroll (Tokorozawa) until 11/8
• Prescriptions of Essay Manga for My Heart (Tokorozawa) until 1/11
• Weekend events at Tokorozawa Sakura Town.

Exhibition Information

Exhibition: Galaxy Express 999 50th Anniversary Project: Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition – The Journey of Creation 『銀河鉄道999』50周年プロジェクト　松本零士展　創作の旅路

Dates: 19th September to 26th October 2026

Hours: The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily. However, the Kadokawa museum usually closes on the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month (unless it is a national holiday and they open).

Cost: 2400 yen for adults, 1700 yen for High School students and 1100 yen for elementary school students. See official page on how to buy online.

Contact: The phone number of Kadcul is 0570-017-396. Generally, they man the phone from 2 pm to 5 pm on weekdays only. Kadokawa Musashino Museum official website.

Venue: EJ Anime Museum, 3rd Floor Kadokawa Culture Museum, 3-31-3 Tokorozawa, Higashi Tokorozawa Wada, Saitama, 〒359-0023, Japan. View on Google Maps.

Access

The EJ Anime Museum is a ten minute walk from Higashi Tokorozawa station. Keep an eye out for the LED Manhole Covers on the walk! Parking is also available – it costs 200 yen for 30 minutes, but capped at 600 yen on weekdays and 1800 yen on weekends. Prices are always subject to change, please check the official website for the most up to date charges. It is a ticket less parking lot.

The images were taken from the Kadokawa Corporation website.

Next Exhibition

Information coming soon

Exhibition Date:

Official website.

Previous exhibitions at the EJ Anime Museum on the 3rd floor of Kadcul included

• Emotions exhibition – poetry in Tanka, Drawing in Illustrations, early 2026
• Blossom, a free exhibition about Taiwanese manga in October 2024
• Yowamushi pedal in summer 2024
• Kamen Rider exhibition in spring 2024
• DESIGNS: Mamoru Nagano Design Exhibition from Saturday February 10th to Sunday March 24th 2024
• Fly me to Saitama from Saitama Citizen’s Day 2023 to Sunday January 14th 2024
• Dengeki Bunko 30th anniversary exhibition from Saturday September 16th to Sunday November 5th 2023
• Hatsune Miku Exhibition from Saturday August 5th to Sunday September 10th 2023.
• Baki the Grappler from Saturday May 27th to Sunday July 9th 2023.
• Bungo Stray Dogs from March 31st to May 7th 2023.
• Love Love Snoopy from February 11th to March 26th 2023.
• Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N from October 8th 2022 to January 29th 2023.
• Thomas and Friends Steam Adventure from July 16th to September 25th 2022.
• Rilakkuma and Sumikkogurashi Festival from mid April to mid May 2022.
• Gundam The Origin from January 22nd to March 21st 2022
• Also Marvel Studios Universe of Heroes from October 2021 to January 3rd 2022
• Trigger and Good Smile summer of 2021.
• Thomas the Tank Engine in spring of 2021. (ej-anime-museum-kadcul-thomas)
• The very first exhibtion: Newtype Anime Chronicle (ej-anime-museum-kadcul)
• Galaxy Park pop up play area summer 2026

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