Step into Snoopy's World: A Guide to the Snoopy Museum in Tokyo

Get up close and personal with Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang. We created this ultimate Snoopy Museum Tokyo guide to help you prepare for your visit. Here’s your chance to learn about the museum’s exhibitions, how to buy admission tickets, and things to do when you get there!

Introduction to the Snoopy Museum Tokyo

It’s been over 70 years since Snoopy made its debut in the Peanuts cartoon strip. Yet, the iconic beagle remains one of the most popular cartoon characters in the world. Even though Snoopy first appeared in the United States, the character began to gain fame in Japan in the 1970s. Today, Japan’s love for Snoopy has turned into an obsession. The character has  cafes, shops, and a museum dedicated to him in Tokyo.

What is the Snoopy Museum Tokyo?

The Snoopy Museum Tokyo, Japan, is a museum dedicated to Snoopy, the Peanuts gang, and their creator, Charles M. Schulz. Located in Minami-Machida Grandberry Park, Tokyo, it is one of only two Snoopy Museums in the world, the other being in Santa Rosa, California. People often refer to the museum in Tokyo as a satellite of the original Charles M. Schulz-dedicated museum in California.

When Snoopy Museum Tokyo opened on April 23, 2016, its original location was in Roppongi. The initial plan was for this to be a temporary exhibit. However, the museum became so popular that it attracted more than a million visitors over the next two years. Investors decided to close down the Roppongi exhibit and move Snoopy Museum to a facility double the size of the original. So on December 14, 2019, the new Snoopy Museum opened in Minami-Machida Grandberry Park (Machida, Tokyo) and has remained there till date.

Snoopy Museum Tokyo offers several exhibitions dedicated to Snoopy and other Peanuts characters. It also contains a Snoopy-themed merchandise shop, a cafe, and several workshop programs. The museum still welcomes millions of guests every year or so and continues to offer new facilities and exhibits. 

History of Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang

Snoopy made his first appearance in the Peanuts comic strip on October 4, 1950. This was only two days after the release of the first strip. Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, initially intended to name the pet beagle "Sniffy," but he soon realized that another comic strip had already taken the name. The beagle remained an unnamed character until November 10, 1950, when his name was first revealed to be Snoopy.

Alongside other Peanuts characters like Charlie Brown, Lucy, Patty, and Shermy, Snoopy propelled the strip to global fame. There have been several film, animation, and TV series adaptations of the franchise over the decades. Beloved for his tendency to imagine himself in ridiculous roles, Snoopy’s fame surpasses all of the other Peanuts characters, including main character Charlie Brown.

Due to Japan’s love for everything kawaii (cute), Snoopy started gaining popularity in the country as early as the 1970s. Today, it’s one of the most recognized and beloved cartoon characters in Japan, with Tokyo having several Snoopy-themed attractions, including a museum, cafes, and shops. 

Planning Your Visit

Snoopy Museum Tokyo is a must-visit destination for any fan of the Peanuts comic strip, film, or TV series. You can go there at any time of the year and enjoy the full experience, except on January 1 and August 20, which are designated closing days at the museum. Keep in mind that the museum tends to see a lot of crowds during the holidays. Snoopy Museum Tokyo may also be temporarily closed for a few days during major exhibit renewals. Be sure to check the website for news of any ongoing renewal or renovation. 

Tickets and Admission

You can buy tickets to Snoopy Museum Tokyo online via its official website or physically at the location. The available ticket options are advance tickets or same-day tickets. Advance tickets are slightly cheaper than same-day tickets. You can get them from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and book any slot between a day and a month ahead.

Both tickets hold information on the specific date and time your admission will begin. Admission is divided into 12 time slots per day (13 on weekends and holidays), with a limit on the number of visitors per time slot

If you miss the admission time on an advance ticket but arrive on the same day, you’ll be assigned a different time slot for that day. If you fail to use the ticket on that day, you can still use it within three months of the reserved date, but you’ll need to pay a small transfer fee.

Getting to the Snoopy Museum Tokyo

The museum is located in Grandberry Park, a shopping mall in Machida, Tokyo. It’s only a 4-minute walk from Minami-Machida Grandberry Park Station. To get to this station by train, ride the Tokyu Denentoshi Line from either Shibuya Station (48 minutes). There is a direct bus from Haneda Airport Terminal 2 to Minami-machida Grandberry Park Station (60 minutes). 

Museum Experience

When you get to Snoopy Museum Tokyo, you should spend at least two hours exploring the facilities and attractions. Next to the main museum lies the Peanuts Cafe. This cafe has a special menu with Peanuts-themed foods and drinks. You can stop by for a quick meal before or after you enter the museum. Also, you don’t need a ticket to enter the cafe. From the outside, the museum resembles the Charles M. Schulz Museum in California because of its off-white exterior painting and soft architectural lines. Let’s find out what you can expect when you get in.

Museum Layout

The museum has three floors, each featuring a unique set of attractions. We’ll explore the museum’s layout by taking a look at each of the floors. We recommend that you start your tour on the third floor and make your way down from there.

First Floor

This is where you’ll find the ticket booth, workshop room, and Brown’s Store. The ticket booth should be your first stop. This is where you buy same-day tickets if there’s space in the museum. The workshop room is where you immerse yourself in the Peanuts universe, trying various hands-on programs. You can make stuffed toys, sweets, tote bags, and shirts. Payment for entry into the workshop program is separate from your museum admission ticket. Hence, you can just walk right into the room if you have a workshop ticket. Brown’s Store is the main gift shop, and you’ll need your admission ticket to enter. This museum shop is where you can buy original and limited-edition Peanuts merchandise. It has hundreds of fun items and potential souvenirs, including Snoopy plushies, keychains, stationery, postcards, books, and clothing.

Second Floor

The second floor houses special exhibitions and the famous “Snoopy Room.” Many of the special exhibitions are loaned from the museum in California. The last time we checked, they had a special exhibit called “Traveling Peanuts” scheduled to run until September 1, 2024. This exhibit displays 45 original drawings of the Peanuts gang and their unusual travels. The nearby “Snoopy Room” is home to different Snoopy models, including a giant one that depicts the beagle sleeping. There is a regular light show display with music and video in the room called “Awakening.” This room is the perfect place to take pictures.

Third Floor

The third floor has a “Snoopy Wonder Room” with over 1,000 items, including vintage mugs, plushies, and models. Fans of the famous beagle donated these items. The floor also houses the Charles Schulz Gallery, a room dedicated to the creator of the strip. It’s filled with recordings, photos, and interviews of Schulz that reflect his passion for cartoons. The Peanuts Gang Gallery is another major exhibit on the floor. It contains classic entries and vintage slideshows of the cartoon strip.

Special Exhibits and Features

Besides the original comic strips, vintage goods, gift shop, and cafe, the museum features both permanent and temporary exhibits. It has a special “renewal” system where new exhibits and merchandise are introduced regularly. We’ve already mentioned the likes of Snoopy Room, Snoopy Wonder Room, Charles Schulz Gallery, and Peanuts Gang Gallery. However, there are many others, including the following:

• Snoopy Entrance: a giant monument at the entrance of the museum. You literally enter the museum through Snoopy’s mouth.

• Welcome Snoopy: a group of cloud-shaped mirrors that welcome guests with images of the gang.

• Snoopy's Very Happy Home: a giant doghouse with a red roof. It’s home to Snoopy.

• Special Comic Ticket: a souvenir featuring a comic strip published on whichever day you visit the museum.

Snoopy Museum Tokyo also hosts special events and educational programs such as art classes, movie nights, and summer festivals. There’s always something exciting for everyone!

Peanuts Cafe: A Must-Visit

Your trip is never complete without a visit to the Peanuts Cafe, located next to the museum. You can eat at the cafe before or after you enter the museum. There are three Snoopy-themed cafes in Tokyo, each with its own unique concept and feel. One is in Harajuku and another is in Nakameguro. We’ll be focusing on the experience in the Machida cafe.

PEANUTS Cafe Experience

The cafe’s concept is focused on the Peanuts “Potluck Picnic” theme. It has an outdoorsy atmosphere thanks to the large windows that offer great views of the surrounding greenery. Inside, there’s a large red frame shaped like Snoopy’s doghouse, Peanuts-themed interior designs, and a Snoopy-themed lightshade.

The restaurant’s menu includes themed seasonal dishes, desserts, and beverages that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Examples of menu items you might find on your visit are Snoopy's "Grand Slam" Crepes and Spike's Mexican Tacos. Additionally, it serves food that draws inspiration from the current special exhibition at the museum. Some of the meals come with special souvenirs, including themed coasters and cartoon strips. Although the cafe sees a lot of customers, ordering is easy, thanks to the iPads at the tables. You can either eat in the restaurant or order your meal to go. 

Snoopy in Japan: A Cultural Phenomenon

There are several other Snoopy-themed attractions in Japan besides the museum. These include:

• Peanuts Hotel in Kobe

• Snoopy Cha-ya (teahouse) in Oita

• Snoopy Town store in Yokohama

• The Flying Snoopy at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka

• Snoopy Chocolat in Oita

Snoopy’s Popularity in Japan

Snoopy is one of Japan’s most cherished cartoon characters, with several Snoopy-themed shops, Peanuts cafes, and rides in Tokyo, Oita, Kobe, and Osaka. You’ll find multiple Snoopy Town stores in the country where you can buy a wide range of Snoopy merchandise, including plushies, kitchen appliances, and more. Japan’s love for the cute beagle stems from the country-wide adoration of kawaii animals and fictional characters that transcends borders. You can see this love in other franchises, including Pokemon and Hello Kitty. 

Conclusion:

Everyone deserves to experience the nostalgia, charm, and warmth of visiting the Snoopy Museum. The feeling of discovery you get from exploring its exhibitions and attractions will appeal not just to Peanuts or Snoopy fans but to anyone interested in experiencing a unique slice of pop culture in Tokyo.

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