Iwanami Shoten and Fukuinkan Shoten to Co-Host Children's Book Festival

Iwanami Shoten, Ltd. (President and CEO: Masakatsu Sakamoto) and Fukuinkan Shoten, Ltd. (President and CEO: Junichi Sato) will co-host a children's book exhibition titled 'Children's Book Festival' at the first-floor lobby of Iwanami Shoten's New Building in 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 venue. (Free admission, no reservation required)

Continuing to Deliver Works That Live Forever in Children's Hearts

Iwanami Shoten and Fukuinkan Shoten have long shared the vision of delivering works that 'live forever in children's hearts,' publishing children's books based on their respective editorial philosophies. Amid significant social changes, the two publishers have jointly produced the 'Iwanami-Fukuinkan Children's Book Catalog for Libraries' (known as the 'Iwafuku Catalog') annually since 1977, aiming to broaden opportunities for children to encounter meaningful books.

Responding to repeated requests from librarians for a chance to directly browse books from both publishers, the two companies will now launch the 'Children's Book Festival'—a full-display exhibition of all their children's and junior books—on the milestone 50th anniversary of their collaboration. The event targets professionals who connect children with books, including librarians, reading volunteers, and educators. In cooperation with the nearby bookstore 'Book House Cafe,' author and editor talks, as well as an original art exhibition, will also be held.

Additionally, full-line fairs featuring all children's books from both publishers will be held at six bookstores nationwide (open to the general public). This is a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy the rich catalog of both publishers.

Exhibition Overview

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

Content: Full display of approximately 1,000 children's and junior books from Iwanami Shoten and about 1,800 from Fukuinkan Shoten. Book selection lists will be available, and editor-led book talks will be held throughout the event.

Dates: July 23, 2026 (Thu) 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-Line Children's Book Fair' section of this release.

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

Original Goods Sales

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Iwafuku collaboration, special merchandise featuring original illustrations by artist Miho Satake will be sold. Items include a durable tote bag, book covers (in four colors) suitable for Iwanami Shonen Bunko and Fukuinkan Bunko series, and sticky notes ideal for librarians.

Tote Bag Design Book Cover Design Sticky Note Design

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 prior registration.)

Venue: Hifumi Hall, 2nd Floor, Book House Cafe (4-minute walk from the exhibition venue)

Events:

① July 23 (Thu) 14:00–

Editor Talk by Iwanami Shoten and Fukuinkan Shoten

"50 Stories from Iwafuku"

Registration: https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2397

② July 24 (Fri) 10:30–

Talk by journalist Ikuko Kihara

"Everything Begins with 'Research' — Tracing the Path to Ichiro-kun through Library Materials"

Registration: 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: https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2399

④ July 25 (Sat) 10:30–

Talk by artist Miho Satake

"50 Years Without Realizing It… What I Receive and Pass On from the World of Stories"

Registration: https://bookhousecafe.jp/event/content/2400

Iwafuku 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition

Name: Miho Satake Original Art Exhibition — Commemorating 50 Years of Iwafuku and 50 Years of Artistic Career

Venue: 1st Floor, Book House Cafe (4-minute walk from the exhibition venue)

Free admission

Content: The exhibition showcases original artworks by Miho Satake, a painter with 50 years of artistic career, known for her cover illustrations for 'Kiki's Delivery Service' (Fukuinkan Shoten) and the 'Horror Short Stories' series (Iwanami Shoten). Visitors can experience firsthand the illustrations that deepen and expand the worlds of these stories.

The exhibition includes previously unseen original artwork from 'Kiki's Delivery Service,' presented to the public for the first time.

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

About Miho Satake

Artist born in Toyama Prefecture. She captivates a wide audience with her diverse artistic styles across genres including science fiction, fantasy, classics, picture books, children's literature, and realism. Notable works include cover and illustration art for 'Learning About Islamic Life Through Picture Books' (Asunaro Shobo), 'Howl's Moving Castle' series (Tokuma Shoten), 'Water Margin' (Volumes 1–2), 'The Fox's Bridge' (both by Gakudosha), 'Kiki's Delivery Service' series (Volumes 3–6 and Special Edition), 'The Tree of Life' (all by Fukuinkan Shoten), 'Bundaber' series, 'Mary Poppins' (both by Poplar Publishing), 'World Masterpiece Short Stories: Saki and Others' (Rironsha), 'Ugetsu Monogatari' (Iwasaki Shoten), 'The Country Beyond the North Wind', 'The Little House That Nobody Knows', 'Iwanami Shonen Bunko: Horror Short Stories' series (all by Iwanami Shoten), and 'Tobiyaku Series' (Seizansha).

Iwafuku Full-Line Children's Book Fair

Full-line fairs featuring all children's books from Iwanami Shoten and Fukuinkan Shoten will be held at six bookstores nationwide. In addition to nearly all children's titles from both publishers, special merchandise featuring original illustrations by Miho Satake will also be available.

Hiroshima: Futaba-do 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, 2027 (Thu) 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.