A picture book exhibition by Eri Shimatsuka — a textile designer and illustrator based in Finland — is set to open at the Forest and Flowers Picture Book Museum Garden Lei in Sera Town, Hiroshima Prefecture. The exhibition runs from June 20 to July 20, 2026, and features displays from her picture book Where Can You Find a Quiet Place?, alongside sales of picture books, other written works, and goods featuring her textile designs. On June 27 and 28, the artist will be in attendance and a talk show will be held.
Exhibition Overview
Period: June 20 (Sat) – July 20 (Mon, holiday), 2026
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM)
Admission: Adults (middle school and above) ¥1,000 / Children (ages 4 – elementary school) ¥300
Closed: Tuesdays
Address: 1780-1 Hongo, Sera Town, Sera District, Hiroshima Prefecture
Artist Attendance and Talk Show
Eri Shimatsuka will be in attendance on the following dates. In addition to sales of goods featuring her textile designs and her picture books and written works, a talk show will take place on those days.
Attendance Period: June 27 (Sat) – 28 (Sun), 2026
Details on attendance hours and event specifics will be announced on the museum's official Instagram: Forest and Flowers Picture Book Museum Garden Lei Official Instagram
About Eri Shimatsuka
Eri Shimatsuka is a textile designer and illustrator. After teaching English in Tokyo and Okinawa following her university graduation, she moved to Finland, where she studied textile design at Aalto University. She then worked as a technical designer at Marimekko before going independent in 2014, providing designs to companies in Japan and abroad. Her publications include 365 Days of Small Happiness I Noticed in Finland (PIE International) and the picture book Where Can You Find a Quiet Place? (Iwanami Shoten).
About Forest and Flowers Picture Book Museum Garden Lei
The museum is housed in the building of a European-style restaurant called "Elegant" that operated in Sera Town for over 40 years. The space has been kept largely as it was, giving the museum a distinctly retro atmosphere. Surrounded by seasonal flowers and waterside scenery, visitors can step into a fantastical, storybook-like setting while browsing a collection centered on pop-up books, ranging from nostalgic classics to rare finds.
Address: 1780-1 Hongo, Sera Town, Sera District, Hiroshima Prefecture (former Elegant)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM)
Shop & Cafe: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission: Adults (middle school and above) ¥1,000 / Children (ages 4 – elementary school) ¥300
Closed: Tuesdays; winter closure applies
Parking: 33 regular car spaces (no bus parking)
Official Website: https://www.garden-lei.com/
