After about a year’s absence since closing its temporary Roppongi location in autumn last year, the Snoopy Museum is making a comeback with a new and permanent venue in Minami-Machida, set to open on Saturday December 14.
It’s definitely worth the wait as the new museum is twice as big as its predecessor – there are three floors of Snoopy mania plus an additional building housing an adorable Peanuts Cafe, which is designed to evoke the joys of outdoor dining.
Here’s our round-up of the five things you must do at the all-new Snoopy Museum, which is located within the expansive Grandberry Park outlet mall.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
1. Greet Snoopy from the different generations
Upon arrival, don’t miss the line-up of five different Snoopy figurines set against the lush greenery behind the museum. It’s more than just a great photo spot – you can also trace the beloved beagle’s evolution (from left to right) over the 50 years (1950-2000) the Peanuts comics were illustrated by Charles M Schulz.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
2. Explore Snoopy’s world and get to know all the Peanuts characters
Start your tour on the third floor, where you’ll be welcomed by a short film introducing you to the Peanuts gang, which is screened in a pentagon-shaped room across its walls. Here you’ll get a first glimpse of the main characters including Charlie Brown, his sister Sally and of course, Snoopy the beagle.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
The museum’s first exhibition room traces the life of Peanuts creator ‘Sparky’ (aka Charles M Schulz), whose first Peanuts comic strip was published on October 2 1950, followed by Snoopy’s first appearance in a four-panel strip two days later. While you examine the old photographs of Schulz, listen to an original recording of him talking about the main protagonist of the Peanuts gang, Charlie Brown. Through the three video features in the centre of the room, you can also witness how fast Sparky was able to draw his favourite characters.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Unlike the previous museum in Roppongi, this new reincarnation puts more focus on the individual Peanuts characters.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
The comic strips on display examine life in America through the children’s perspectives and adventures.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
In the early day comic strips, you’ll notice that the kids had larger heads while Snoopy looked more like a puppy walking on all fours.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Before heading down to the second floor, make sure you step out onto the terrace. From here you have a great view of Western Tokyo with mountainous scenery as the backdrop. The mural on the wall mirrors the panorama with a Snoopy pile-up.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
In addition to a roomful of six different Snoopy figures for you to take photos with, there’s also a dedicated space for rotating exhibitions (each running for six months) on loan from the Charles M Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California. The inaugural exhibition, ‘Here Come The Beagle Scouts!’ which runs until June 28 2020, features the mountain camping trip of Snoopy, Woodstock and Woodstock’s bird friends as they go about pitching tents and roasting marshmallows by the fire.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
3. Create your personal Snoopy souvenir
After you’ve immersed yourself in Snoopy’s world, head down to the first floor and participate in one of the many workshops on offer (online reservations recommended).
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Throughout December, you can dress up a plain Snoopy-shaped candle as Santa Claus (¥3,500) by cutting candle sheets into specific shapes and affixing them to the beagle’s body.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
There’s more: you can partake in Snoopy-themed embroidery (￥7,000) and tote bag workshops (￥4,900) as well as customise your own Snoopy plush toy (￥5,500), ie dress him in a museum T-shirt and pick a collar for him.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
4. Stock up on limited-edition Peanuts merchandise
The Brown’s Store on the first floor offers anything a Peanuts fan would want: T-shirts, stuffed toys, towels, keychains, sweets, stationery and even water bottles.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Don’t miss this commemorative souvenir dome (￥3,000), which was produced to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Peanuts. It features an adorable first-generation Snoopy.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
5. Sit down for a hearty ‘picnic’ at the Peanuts Cafe
Enjoy a picnic-style meal with finger food served in a picnic basket, paired with a cast-iron dish of either roast chicken or meatballs (pictured above, ￥3,800).
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
There’s also a take-out option that comes with a drink, finger food and a picnic mat (￥2,200), which you can take to the neighbouring park.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
The café is bright and airy, thanks to the large windows that look out to the surrounding greenery. There’s even a massive red metal structure shaped like Snoopy's doghouse that stretches over some of the seats.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
In line with the café's concept, fans of the outdoors can shop for original Snoopy-themed camping goods.
Advance tickets, which are ¥200 cheaper, are available here up until a day prior to your visit. General admission at the door is ¥2,000 for adults, ¥1,000 for high school and junior-high school students, and ¥600 for primary school students and children aged four and older (free for children aged three and under).
For more information on the new Snoopy Museum, check the official website.