Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown as he tries to kick it was perhaps the most famous "Peanuts" recurring gag, seen here in a comic strip from Sept. 29, 1968. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
As Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the “Peanuts” gang turn 75 this year, fans of Charles Schulz’s legendary comic strip in Japan can celebrate the milestone with a special exhibit at the Snoopy Museum Tokyo.
Snoopy: A Dog Who Became a Friend Around the World marks the 75th anniversary of the comic’s debut with an exhibit hall full of Snoopy-centric cartoons and original drawings from Schulz’s archives.
The exhibit includes 75 distinct images of Snoopy from over the years, allowing visitors to track his evolution from a precocious pup in the comic’s early days to the multifaceted Renaissance dog that fans grew to love.
The collection highlights the famed white-and-black beagle’s many personas: Charlie Brown’s faithful companion, astronaut, tennis player, Joe Cool, author and World War I flying ace among them.
Snoopy Museum Tokyo's 75th anniversary exhibit, Snoopy: A Dog Who Became a Friend Around the World, runs through March 1, 2026. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
Snoopy shows his love for Charlie Brown in this comic strip from Feb. 17, 1980. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
Linus and Snoopy wait for the Great Pumpkin in the "Peanuts" daily comic from Oct. 26, 1967. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
With so many identities, the exhibit, which runs through March 1, promises visitors will find a Snoopy they’ve never met before.
“Peanuts” debuted on Oct. 2, 1950, in seven newspapers across the United States. Snoopy first appeared in the third daily comic on Oct. 4, 1950. Since then, the characters have become iconic figures across nearly 18,000 comics hand-drawn by Schulz until shortly before his death in February 2000.
Snoopy Museum Tokyo pays tribute to the comic and the characters’ place in pop culture history. In addition to the anniversary exhibit, the museum features thousands of historic comic strips, Schulz’s drawings, photographs from the author’s life, slideshows and vintage memorabilia spread over two floors.
Dozens of Snoopy stuffed toys are among the vintage memorabilia on display in the Snoopy Wonder Room at Snoopy Museum Tokyo. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
"Peanuts" 75th anniversary memorabilia on sale in the Brown's Store gift shop at Snoopy Museum Tokyo. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
The museum originally opened in 2016 as a pop-up gallery in central Tokyo’s Roppongi district. In 2019, it moved to its current, permanent location in the Grandberry Park area of Machida, southwest of the capital and about 20-25 minutes from Camp Zama, home of U.S. Army Japan.
Visitors enter the museum through the yawning mouth of a large Snoopy statue. Tickets feature a past comic from the date of one’s visit.
The Snoopy Wonder Room is filled with plush toys, figurines, clothing and other “Peanuts” memorabilia from around the world, many donated by fans. The Charles Schulz Gallery features several rare photographs that tell the story of the creator’s life, including his service in the U.S. Army during World War II.
A reprint of the first syndicated "Peanuts" comic strip that ran in seven U.S. newspapers on Oct. 2, 1950. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
The main gallery features a section on each of the principal characters, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Marcie and Woodstock, with featured comics and unique animations that bring the strips to life.
Once visitors have toured the exhibits, the Peanuts Cafe next door offers a small “Peanuts”-inspired menu, including special seasonal items and exhibit-related treats.
The Brown’s Store gift shop offers plenty of souvenir options, including 75th anniversary memorabilia. Those looking for something more unique can check out The Workshop, which hosts a variety of events where fans can create hand-made, personalized keepsakes, including Snoopy and Woodstock plush toys.
Visitors enter the Snoopy Museum Tokyo through the mouth of a large Snoopy statue. (Matt Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Location: 3-1-4 Tsuruma, Machida, Tokyo 194-0004. About a 20-25 minute drive from Camp Zama, or a short walk from Minami-Machida Grandberry Park Station on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line.
Times: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Last entrance is 30 minutes before closing.
Costs: Advance tickets — Adults, 1,800 yen; junior/senior high school students, 800 yen; elementary school students, 400 yen. Same-day tickets — Adults, 2,000 yen; junior/senior high school students, 1,000 yen; elementary school students, 600 yen. Free for children 4 and younger.
Food: Items on the Peanuts Cafe menu range from 900 yen to 2,500 yen.
Information: Phone: 042-812-2723; Online: snoopymuseum.tokyo/s/smt/page/english
