Kodomo no Tomo (Children's Companion), a monthly picture book series first published in 1956 by the children's book publisher Fukuinkan Shoten (福音館書店), reaches its 70th anniversary in 2026. The series was built on what was then a fresh concept of one artist and one story per book. It has produced many long-selling picture books, including Guri and Gura (ぐりとぐら), Ōkina Kabu (おおきなかぶ), and Hajimete no Otsukai (はじめてのおつかい), and has continued to attract many readers. A special exhibition will be held to mark the anniversary.
The exhibition features photo spots based on popular picture books such as Ōkina Kabu (おおきなかぶ), Daruma-chan to Tengu-chan (だるまちゃんとてんぐちゃん), Yappari Ōkami (やっぱりおおかみ), Barubaru-san (バルバルさん), and Oyatsu Dorobō (おやつどろぼう), along with original artwork from many picture books that have been loved for years. It also introduces the latest works by "new authors" who will lead the picture book world in the years ahead, showing both the appeal of picture books that has not faded with time and the new forms of expression that will shape the future. Whether you were once a child or are a child today, the exhibition invites you to look, play, read, and become friends with the books. A goods corner sells commemorative goods that use artwork newly drawn for the exhibition.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition name: Look, Play, Read. Let's Become Friends. Monthly Picture Book Kodomo no Tomo (Children's Companion) 70th Anniversary Exhibition (見て、あそんで、読んで ともだちになろう。 月刊絵本こどものとも70周年記念展)
- Dates: Tuesday, December 29, 2026 to Monday, January 18, 2027
- Closed: Friday, January 1 (holiday) and Saturday, January 2, 2027
- Venue: Matsuya Ginza 8F Event Square (松屋銀座8階イベントスクエア), 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (see the exceptions below)
- Organizer: Monthly Picture Book Kodomo no Tomo 70th Anniversary Exhibition Executive Committee (月刊絵本こどものとも70周年記念展 実行委員会)
- Special cooperation: Fukuinkan Shoten (福音館書店)
- Inquiries: Matsuya Ginza, 03-3567-1211 (main switchboard)
Hours Exceptions and Notes
- Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30, 2026: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Thursday, December 31, 2026: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday, January 3, 2027: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Monday, January 11, 2027 (holiday): 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM
- Sunday, January 17, 2027: 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM
- Last admission is 1 hour before closing.
- The exhibition closes at 5:00 PM on the final day.
- Exhibition hours may differ from the store hours of Matsuya Ginza.
- Hours may change. Please check the official exhibition website for details.
Featured Picture Books
A selection of the picture books planned for display is introduced below.
Ōkina Kabu (おおきなかぶ)
Retold by A. Tolstoy (Ａ・トルストイ) / Translated by Risako Uchida (内田 莉莎子) / Illustrated by Churyo Sato (佐藤 忠良)
Everyone pulls together to pull up a giant turnip!
The turnip that the grandfather planted has grown into a tremendously big turnip, sweet and full of vigor. The grandfather calls out "Untokosho, dokkoisho" (うんとこしょ どっこいしょ) and tries to pull up the turnip, but it will not budge. He calls the grandmother and they try together, but the turnip still will not budge. The grandmother calls her grandchild, the grandchild calls the dog, and the dog calls the cat, but the turnip stays put. At last the cat calls the mouse, but...
It is a powerful folktale picture book, familiar from school textbooks and loved for more than 60 years.
Guri and Gura (ぐりとぐら)
Written by Rieko Nakagawa (なかがわ りえこ) / Illustrated by Yuriko Omura (おおむら ゆりこ)
Guri and Gura found a giant egg in the forest
The field mice Guri and Gura love cooking and eating more than anything. One day they find a giant egg in the forest. After thinking about whether to make fried eggs or an omelet, they decide to make a castella cake. The egg is too big to carry, though, so they bring a frying pan and cook it on the spot. Lured by the smell of the baking cake, animals from all over the forest gather around... Guri and Gura, loved by everyone, were born from this picture book.
Oyatsu Dorobō (おやつどろぼう)
Written by Yui Abe (阿部 結)
The great midnight operation to take back the cake
In the middle of the night, Akaki (アカーキー) looks into the refrigerator for the cake that Mom hid. Inside, Akaki sees an odd creature called a "Shimashima" (しましま) steal the cake, and goes deep into the refrigerator to get it back. The place Akaki reaches is a great hall piled high with stolen sweets. Can Akaki take back Mom's cake from the Shimashima, the snack thieves? It is a fantasy that depicts the unknown fate of snacks that were secretly hidden away.
Bonus Goods With Admission Tickets
Tickets with goods include a Miniature Book Sheet Set of 2 types (豆本シート2種セット). Visitors can make the miniature book sheets of popular picture book series on site and enjoy them.
- The images are for illustration only and may differ from the actual products.
- The design and content of the bonus goods may change.
Tickets
The exhibition uses a partly timed-entry system. A timed-entry ticket requires you to specify the session (date and time slot) when you purchase it.
- Ticket types: Timed-entry ticket, timed-entry ticket with goods, standard admission ticket, and standard admission ticket with goods
- Where to buy: Lawson Ticket (L-code: 35320) at https://l-tike.com/event/mevent/?mid=790692
Ticket Prices (Tax Included)
Prices in parentheses are advance ticket prices.
| Ticket | General | High school | Junior high school | Elementary school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard admission ticket | ¥2,000 (¥1,800) | ¥1,400 (¥1,300) | ¥700 (¥600) | ¥600 (¥500) |
| Admission ticket with goods | ¥2,220 (¥2,020) | ¥1,620 (¥1,520) | ¥920 (¥820) | ¥820 (¥720) |
Ticket Sales Schedule
The lottery advance sale is held on Lawson Ticket.
- Lottery application period: Thursday, November 5, 12:00 PM to Wednesday, November 11, 11:59 PM. Each person can apply once for each session, and the lottery applies only to the specified date and time slot.
- Lottery results announced: Wednesday, November 18, 12:00 PM
- Payment period: Wednesday, November 18, 12:00 PM to Sunday, November 22, 11:00 PM
- General sale: From Wednesday, November 25, 12:00 PM until 3 hours before the start of entry for each session. After payment, tickets can be issued until the entry start time of each session.
Admission Notes
- Visitors who show a Matsuya card or a disability certificate can enter at any time once the entry of visitors holding timed-entry tickets has been completed. A numbered ticket may be issued when the exhibition is crowded.
- A visitor with a disability certificate can bring one caregiver per ticket for free. Please show the certificate when entering with a caregiver.
- Holders of a Matsuya card are admitted free of charge. The eligible cards are the Matsuya Card (松屋カード), Matsuya Gold Card (松屋ゴールドカード), Matsuya Tomo-no-Kai Card (松屋友の会カード), and Matsuya Shareholder Shopping Discount Card (松屋株主お買物優待カード), excluding point cards. Please show the card at the entrance on the day of your visit.
- Holders of an invitation ticket can enter at any time.
- Preschool children can enter free of charge, up to 2 children per guardian aged 18 or older who holds a ticket.
Latest Information
For details and the latest information, please check the official exhibition website and the official X account.
- Official website: https://www.kodomonotomo-ten.com/
- Official X: @kodomonotomoten
