The Enchanted Forest of Words: A Journey to the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Children's Literature Museum.

First Day In the early morning, I arrived at the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Children's Literature Museum located in the Tennoji area of Osaka. The building's exterior is simple yet warm, as if inviting every visitor into a magical world of words. Upon entering, I was greeted by bookshelves full of childlike wonder and creativity, with each book resembling a small world waiting to be opened. In the morning, I participated in the 'World of Fairy Tales' guided tour. The museum guide narrated the stories behind many classic fairy tales, from Hans Christian Andersen to Kenji Miyazawa, each name taking me back to my childhood. At noon, I selected a few beautifully illustrated picture books in the museum's reading area and nestled into a comfortable sofa to savor them. The sunlight streaming through the large windows made the reading time especially serene. In the afternoon, I joined a children's literature creation workshop. Although the activity was primarily designed for children, adults could easily join in. Under the guidance of the instructor, I created a short story using simple words, feeling a long-lost sense of innocence and imagination. Second Day On the second day, I visited the museum again, this time with the theme of exploring the history and development of Japanese children's literature. In the morning, I visited the 'Century of Japanese Children's Literature' exhibition, which showcased many precious manuscripts and first editions. From enlightenment readings of the Meiji period to modern creative children's books, each exhibit told the story of how literature shaped children's worldviews. Then, I went to the interactive area, where I experienced how words combined with images and music through multimedia installations, bringing new ways of storytelling. After lunch, I strolled through the museum's courtyard, which features an outdoor reading space designed for children. Several parents were accompanying their children, enjoying quality family time, creating a warm and touching scene. In the afternoon, I entered a library dedicated to world children's literature. I casually picked up an English version of Grimm's Fairy Tales, feeling as if I had crossed the boundaries of language and culture to share the same stories with children around the world. These two days of travel immersed me in the infinite charm of children's literature. Whether it was the delicate illustrations, the moving words, or the pure emotions, the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Children's Literature Museum opened a door to an enchanted forest of words, allowing me to rediscover the beauty and warmth of reading.