Kodansha and Iwanami Books Co-host Full-Collection Exhibition: 'Children's Book Festival' July 23 (Thu)–25 (Sat)

Fukuin Kan Publishing Co., Ltd. (President: Junichi Sato) and Iwanami Shoten (President: Masakane Sakamoto) will jointly host a children's book exhibition titled 'Children's Book Festival' at the first-floor lobby of Iwanami Shoten's new building in Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The event is aimed at librarians, reading volunteers, educators, and others involved in delivering books to children. Approximately 2,800 children's and junior books published by both companies will be displayed in one place. (Free admission, no reservation required)

Since 1977, Iwanami Shoten and Fukuin Kan have shared a common vision: 'To deliver works that will live forever in children's hearts.' Based on their respective publishing philosophies, they have jointly produced the 'Iwanami-Fukuin Children's Book Catalog for Libraries' (known as 'Iwafuku Catalog') annually, aiming to broaden opportunities for children to encounter meaningful books amid changing social landscapes.

Responding to repeated requests from librarians for a chance to directly browse both publishers' books, the two companies are holding this full-collection exhibition in 2026—marking the 50th anniversary of their collaboration. The exhibition will allow attendees to view every children's and junior book published by both publishers. In cooperation with the nearby bookstore 'Bookhouse Cafe,' author talks, editor discussions, and an original artwork exhibition will also be held.

Additionally, full-collection fairs of both publishers' children's books will be held at six bookstores nationwide. These fairs are open to the general public.

We invite everyone to explore and enjoy the rich world of children's literature from these two esteemed publishers.

Event Overview

Name: Children's Book Festival — Full-Collection Exhibition

Content: Full display of approximately 1,000 children's and junior books from Iwanami Shoten and approximately 1,800 from Fukuin Kan. Book selection lists will be available, and book talks by editors will be held throughout the event.

Dates and Times: July 23 (Thu), 2026: 12:00–17:00 July 24 (Fri): 10:00–17:00 July 25 (Sat): 10:00–15:00

Venue: 1st Floor Lobby, Iwanami Shoten New Building (Immediately outside Exit A8 of Jimbocho Station)

※ Free admission, no reservation required

※ This exhibition is intended for librarians, reading volunteers, educators, and others involved in children's literature. General readers are encouraged to visit the 'Iwafuku Full-Collection Children's Book Fair' section of this release.

Special Website: https://www.iwanami.co.jp/news/n126674.html

Original Goods Sale: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Iwafuku partnership, special merchandise featuring original illustrations by artist Miho Satake will be sold. Items include durable tote bags, book covers (in four colors) suitable for Iwanami Shonen Bunko and Fukuin Kan Bunko series, and sticky notes designed for librarians.

Tote Bag

Sticky Notes Book Cover

Iwafuku 50th Anniversary Events

Four talk events will be held to support the professional development of librarians, reading volunteers, and educators. (All events are free but require advance registration.)

Venue: 'Hifumi' on the 2nd floor of Bookhouse Cafe (4-minute walk from the exhibition venue)

Registration Page: https://bookhousecafe.jp/event

Event Details:

① July 23 (Thu), 14:00–

Editors from Iwanami Shoten and Fukuin Kan

"50 Stories from Iwafuku"

<Registration URL> https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2397

② July 24 (Fri), 10:30–

Talk by journalist Ikuko Kihara

"Everything Begins with 'Research'

—The Path to Ichiro Through Library Materials—"

<Registration URL> https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2398

③ July 24 (Fri), 13:30–

Talk by author Atsuo Saito

"My Teacher Was the Iwanami Shonen Bunko"

<Registration URL> https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2399

④ July 25 (Sat), 10:30–

Talk by artist Miho Satake

"Looking Back on 50 Years… What I've Received and Passed On from the World of Stories"

<Registration URL> https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2400

Iwafuku 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition

Name: Miho Satake 50-Year Art Career Commemorative Exhibition

Venue: 1st Floor, Bookhouse Cafe (4-minute walk from the exhibition venue) — Free admission

Content: The exhibition showcases original artworks by Miho Satake, who has been active for 50 years and illustrated iconic covers for Fukuin Kan's 'Kiki's Delivery Service' and Iwanami's 'Horror Short Story Collection.' Visitors can experience firsthand the illustrations that deepen and expand the worlds of these stories. The exhibition includes never-before-seen unused original artwork from 'Kiki's Delivery Service.'

Details: https://bookhousecafe.jp/exhibition/content/2401

Iwafuku Full-Collection Children's Book Fair

Full-collection fairs of children's books from Iwanami Shoten and Fukuin Kan will be held at six bookstores across Japan. In addition to nearly all titles from both publishers, special merchandise featuring Miho Satake's original illustrations will also be available.

Hiroshima: Futaba Bookstore TERA Hiroshima Store — July 23 (Thu) to August 31 (Mon)

Osaka: Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store — August 25 (Tue) to September 15 (Tue)

Aichi: Sanseido Bookstore Nagoya Main Store — September 1 (Tue) to September 30 (Wed)

Hokkaido: CoCo壹新川通店 — October 1 (Thu) to October 31 (Sat)

Fukuoka: Maruzen Hakata Store — January 14 (Thu), 2027 to February 8 (Mon)

※ A Tokyo venue is under consideration. Updates will be posted on the official website.

※ Dates and locations are subject to change.