Wataya Besso Co., Ltd. A penguin art space where you can live with original artwork. Sakazaki Chiharu’s new exhibition “Penguin Room 46” is being held!

[Wataya Besso Co., Ltd.] A penguin art space where you can live with original artwork. Sakazaki Chiharu’s new exhibition “Penguin Room 46” opens! ​
Wataya Besso Co., Ltd. Press Release: September 26, 2025 To Members of the Press An art space for penguins to live alongside original artwork. Chiharu Sakazaki’s new exhibition “Penguin Room 46” is now open! Limited sale of “Tea & Books,” a new original artwork on Nao handmade washi paper. Also participating in the talk event and a special room tour where you can experience the world of the artwork. Wataya Besso Co., Ltd. (Location: Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture; Representative Director: Yoshimoto Ohara) will be hosting an art exhibition titled “Penguin Room” by picture book author and
illustrator Chiharu Sakazaki from Sunday, October 26, 2025. “46” will be held at the Penguin Museum in the museum’s “BOOKS & TEA Sanpuku” section. In addition to “Tea & Books,” a new original artwork painted on Nao handmade washi paper, a traditional Saga craft, the exhibition will also feature limited edition original artwork and silkscreen works for sale. On Saturday, October 25th, the day before the exhibition begins, there will be a talk event with Sakazaki and a special room tour where you can experience the world of his work. “Penguin Room Ureshino” has impressed many fans with its 2-meter-long washi mural. This time, under the theme of “rooms,” we’ll take you deeper into the world where “life and penguins” intersect. Image
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New original artwork on Japanese washi paper, “Tea & Books” The highlight of this exhibition is the new original artwork, “Tea & Books” (600 x 300 mm), painted on Nao washi paper. We are offering a limited-edition, reduced-size transcription of the original artwork “Tea & Books,” which is on display in the “Penguin Room Ureshino.” The artwork depicts penguins enjoying a quiet moment with a book and tea, depicted against the natural texture of washi paper. We also plan to produce and sell a silkscreen version (300 x 150 mm) of the same work. Both are limited in quantity.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/86101/115/86101-115-24afbc2c207642515ad84b4bc3761d6d-900×600.jpg Penguin Room Mural Artwork “Penguin Tea & Books” Photo: MIKI TANABE 《Penguin Museum Special Exhibition Overview》 ◇ “Penguin Room 46” [Dates] October 26, 2025 (Sun) – February 26, 2025 (Thu) [Time] 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM [Location] Wataya Besso BOOKS & TEA Sanfukunai “Penguin Museum” (Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture) [Contents] An exhibition of 46 works from Sakazaki’s “Penguins and Cats” series, featuring his two most popular creatures. We also plan to produce and exhibit
reproduction prints (giclée) from the “Black Volume” volumes that have been sold so far. *To commemorate the opening of this new exhibition, we have prepared two events featuring Sakazaki. ◇Special Event [Date] Saturday, October 25, 2025 1. Gallery & Theme Talk ~ Autograph Session 1:00 PM~ 1. Gallery Talk – Introduction to New Original Artworks 2. Theme Talk – Fun “Anthropomorphism” The creatures drawn by Sakazaki Chiharu have rich gestures and expressions that are just like humans. We’ll be learning techniques for anthropomorphization. [Number of Participants] Talk event capacity: 26 people [Cost] ¥660 book and artwork price (includes Ureshino tea) *Artworks feature handwritten illustrations and signatures on the backboard. *Limit one per person ➋ A special experience touring with Sakazaki-san and Wataya Villa concierge. Starting at 3:00 PM We’ll be showcasing mural art and the “little stories” hidden in the rooms. [Number of Participants] Room tour capacity: 6 people [Cost] ¥3,600 (includes Ureshino tea exclusive guest keychain)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/86101/115/86101-115-05c19e604b1a3b26dbd2e05ada73771a-2976×1984.jpg A look at the previous room tour
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/86101/115/86101-115-26aeadd599f0e0afc1b2227403a89bd7-1536×1024.jpg Special acrylic key chain Event Participation
Application ​ ▼List of Limited Edition Items (Planned) *Original illustration: “Tea & Books” (600 x 300 mm Nao Washi paper) *Original illustration: “Penguin and Rainbow Feather Robe” *Silkscreen “Tea & Books” *Year Mug 2026 – Local pre-orders begin October 25th About Reservations at Penguin Room Ureshino The Penguin Room Ureshino, featuring permanent mural art, has been a popular special room, especially on weekends, since the July 2025 event. ▼Accommodation Information Price: 1 night with 2 meals (2 people sharing a room) / person from ¥26,125 (tax included) Capacity: Maximum 3 people Bathing tax: 250 yen per person (after October 1st) Make a reservation here ​
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/86101/115/86101-115-f62439bbb251156b9a52bbff1affa940-3000×2000.jpg Sakazaki Chiharu | Picture Book Author and Illustrator Born in Chiba Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. Has been working as a freelance illustrator since 1998. She has designed characters such as JR East’s “Suica Penguin,” Chiba Prefecture’s mascot character “Chiba-kun,” and Yamato Holdings’ “Kuroneko and Shironeko.” Her published works include picture books such as “Penguin Shopping” and “Pee-chan and Me,” as well as collections such as “About Illustrations, Character Design,” and “Penguin Apartment White.” ▶WEB site: https://sakazakichiharu.com/ [Wataya Besso Co., Ltd. Company Profile] Representative Director: Yoshimoto Ohara Company Establishment: November 3, 1950 Business: Hotel, restaurant, and leasing business Address: 738 Shimojuku Otsu, Ureshino-cho, Ureshino-shi, Saga Prefecture, 843-0301 Official website: https://wataya.co.jp/