The Miruru Library in Nasu-Shiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, allows patrons to talk, eat, and drink inside its facilities [1, 2].
By removing traditional restrictions on noise and food, the library aims to shift the public perception of libraries from rigid study halls to relaxed community hubs. This strategy is designed to attract tourists and revitalize the local region through increased foot traffic and social interaction [1, 2].
Opened in 2020 [1], the facility features a café-style atmosphere and a collection of approximately 180,000 volumes [1]. The design encourages visitors to treat the space as a social destination rather than just a place to borrow books. This approach has made the library a popular free-entry outing option for visitors during Golden Week, the holiday period occurring in late April and early May [2].
Director Tomokazu Monoi said the library is positioned as an exchange space where chatting is permitted [1]. The shift in policy is intended to make the environment more accessible to people who may find traditional libraries intimidating or overly formal.
One visitor from Tokyo said that while libraries usually have a stiff image of people studying or reading newspapers, Miruru has a softer image [1]. This contrast highlights the library's goal of becoming a place where people gather, not just a place where books are stored [2].
As a regional revitalization tool, the library integrates leisure and literacy. By allowing food and conversation, the administration hopes to create a sustainable model for public spaces that supports both local residents and travelers [1, 2].
“The library is positioned as an exchange space where chatting is permitted.”
The Miruru Library model reflects a broader global trend of 'third place' urban planning, where public infrastructure is redesigned to combat social isolation and economic stagnation. By blending the functions of a library with those of a social café, the facility attempts to increase the utility of public assets to drive regional tourism and community engagement.
