Buntaro Kato Memorial Library

Kato Buntaro Memorial Library is a library and archive in Shinonsen Town, Mikata District, Hyogo Prefecture, specializing in mountain-related books and materials. Buntaro Kato is well known as the protagonist of Jiro Nitta’s novel “Koko no Hito (A Lone Man).” In the prewar era when Kato lived, mountaineering differed from today’s popular pastime: it required expensive equipment and was considered a leisure pursuit for the elite. Against that backdrop, Kato’s style—climbing in whatever clothing he had on hand and wearing jika-tabi—was said to be truly unusual. The Kato Buntaro Memorial Library was built to honor Kato, who was from the former Hamasaka Town (now part of Shinonsen Town). Access to the library is about a 15-minute walk from Hamasaka Station on the JR San’in Main Line. The first-floor library is well stocked with children’s books. On the second floor, the Mountain Materials Room and Mountain Books Reading Room display Kato’s personal effects and related documents, and also hold about 3,000 mountain-related volumes. When sightseeing in Hamasaka, it’s a good idea to visit together with spots such as Ajiwara Komichi, Hamasaka Senjin Memorial Museum Inochitei, and Hamasaka Kenmin Sun Beach.