Noshiro Basketball Library and Museum

The Noshiro Basketball Library and Museum (能代バスケミュージアム) is a free public facility in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the history and culture of basketball in Japan and around the world. Noshiro has long been regarded as Japan's foremost "basketball town", a reputation built largely on the achievements of Noshiro Technical High School, whose team has won the National Basketball Championship an extraordinary 58 times. The museum was established to preserve and celebrate that legacy alongside the broader story of the sport both domestically and internationally.

Much of the collection was donated by the former editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine Gekkan Basketball, and includes books and materials covering the NBA, European leagues, Japanese professional teams, and Noshiro Kogyo's championship history. The museum also holds a significant connection to the iconic manga series Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue, as Noshiro Technical High School is widely regarded as the real-life model for Sanno Industry High School in the series. Inoue repeatedly visited Noshiro Tech during the creation of the manga, and original Slam Dunk drawings, related magazines, and autographs left by Inoue are on display.

Visitors can browse an extensive library of basketball comics including full volumes of Slam Dunk, as well as a collection of game DVDs spanning student, amateur, professional, and NBA competitions. Interactive experiences include sitting in a chair custom-made for tall players and trying on a basketball uniform. A dedicated corner honours Yuta Tabuse, Japan's first-ever NBA player, with articles and materials from his career on display. Museum merchandise including T-shirts and keychains is available for purchase on site.

Admission is free. The museum is located at 5-20 Yanagimachi, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture 016-0825, and can be reached on foot from Noshiro Station on the JR Gonō Line. Note that Noshiro Station is not directly on the Ou Line to Akita City — a transfer at Higashi-Noshiro Station is required, with a connecting shuttle train running approximately every 5 minutes to coincide with Ou Line services.