At Matsuya Ginza Event Square, an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Alan Alexander Milne's children's novel "Winnie the Pooh" is being held. The event, titled "Winnie the Pooh Exhibition: 100th Anniversary of the Original Work," runs from Tuesday, March 17th to Monday, April 13th, 2026.
At the press preview held prior to the event, actress Saki Aibu, who is known to be a huge fan of "Winnie the Pooh," appeared as a guest.
© Disney Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by AA Milne and EH Shepard.
Saki Aibu
entrance
Winnie the Pooh is a story that originated in 1926 when British author Alan Alexander Milne (1882-1956) brought his son Christopher Robin's stuffed animals to life. The story is set in the "Hundred Acre Wood," inspired by Ashdown Forest in southern England, where the family spent weekends and holidays. The daily lives of the slightly clumsy but lovable forest friends, including the gluttonous Pooh, the timid Piglet, and the boisterous Tigger, transcend the boundaries of mere children's literature, teaching us life wisdom and philosophy, such as "doing nothing" can lead to something wonderful.
Photographic materials by A.A. Milne, Christopher Robin, and E.H. Shepard
The story was given form by the delicate pen drawings of illustrator Ernest Howard Shepard (1879-1976). His soft yet lively lines convey the tranquil atmosphere of the forest and the vibrant breath of the playful characters, and he remains beloved as "Classic Pooh" to this day. Since the 1960s, the Walt Disney Company's animation adaptation has solidified Pooh's image in a red shirt as an icon. The fusion of the original's simple lyricism and the pop appeal of the animated version has allowed this work to transcend generations and borders, becoming a universally comforting story.
Illustration display corner
The first half of the "Winnie the Pooh Exhibition: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Original Author's Debut" features illustrations from "Winnie the Pooh" (1926) and its sequel "The House at Pooh Corner" (1928) (reproductions/color versions later created by Shepard himself), as well as related materials such as valuable publications from the archives and special collections of the University of Surrey, which has ties to Shepard.
"Pooh and Friends Gathered at Christopher Robin's Tea Party," from "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne, illustrated by E.H. Shepard, published by Mesheen Ltd. (London) in 1973 (reproduction).
"Christopher Robin reading a book to Pooh who can't get out of his burrow," "A rabbit hanging laundry inside." From "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne, illustrated by E.H. Shepard, published by Mesheen Ltd. (London) in 1973 (reproduction).
In the illustration area, you can enjoy carefully selected memorable scenes, such as the moment Pooh falls into a hole and the scene of him and Christopher Robin skipping towards the sunset.
Ideally, the insightful exchanges and wordplay and humor found in Milne's writing would have been presented alongside the illustrations, further deepening the understanding of the work. However, Shepard's simple and warm illustrations are charming in themselves. The restrained compositions and bold use of negative space allow for various interpretations of the depicted scenes. The characters feel alive, perhaps due to the rough outlines that give a sense of subtle movement within the static images.
A space inspired by the Hundred Acre Wood.
The second half of the exhibition focuses on Disney animation. The theme is the Hundred Acre Wood, and a space unfolds where visitors can experience the lives of the forest in a three-dimensional way, with sunlight filtering through the trees. Concept art, rough sketches, background art, and three-dimensional works are showcased here. Furthermore, there is a wealth of video material that reveals the production background, such as interviews with the film director and musicians included in the "Winnie the Pooh / Complete Collector's Edition Blu-ray + DVD Set."
Character introduction exhibit
Eeyore, Piglet, and other forest friends have gathered.
An exhibition featuring memorable scenes from animated works.
Exhibition of concept art
A variety of three-dimensional artworks, both large and small, are on display.
Exhibition of video materials
There's also a photo spot at the "Ball Throwing Bridge"!
At the press preview, actress Saki Aibu, who has such a deep love for Winnie the Pooh that she said, "I want to fly through the sky with Pooh in a balloon and go collect honey, even if it means getting stung by bees," made a guest appearance.
Aibu says that she grew up surrounded by Winnie the Pooh merchandise. When she was little, she simply found the works "cute" and "soothing," but she says that her way of enjoying them changed when she became a mother.
"There are times when the world of 'Winnie the Pooh' and the real world of having children are linked, and I feel that Pooh's words and actions are the same as those of children. Christopher Robin's way of speaking to them is so gentle and warm, and it makes me realize that I want to speak to children like that too," she said, adding that the charm of this work is that it can be enjoyed from various perspectives, regardless of generation or environment.
Aibu-san smiles at the photo spot.
Aibu-san sent the following message to those interested in this exhibition:
"This exhibition is packed with highlights. From children to adults, there are many ways to enjoy it from different perspectives. There are areas where you can enjoy hands-on experiences, such as the Hundred Acre Wood, as well as areas where adults can reflect on 100 years of history, learn things they didn't know before, and grow to love Winnie the Pooh even more. We hope that families, friends, and loved ones will come and visit many times and fully immerse themselves in the charm of 'Winnie the Pooh'."
The special shop at the venue is also selling many limited-edition goods that can only be obtained at this exhibition.
Limited edition items for fans of "Classic Pooh" are also available. The image shows the "Pooh 100th Anniversary Gauze Bag" for 2,800 yen (tax included).
Furthermore, after the exhibition concludes, it is scheduled to tour nationwide, including to the Osaka venue (Hankyu Umeda Main Store). Why not visit this exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh?
© Disney Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by AA Milne and EH Shepard.
■ Overview of the "Winnie the Pooh Exhibition: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Original Work's Debut"
Dates: March 17 (Tue) – April 13 (Mon), 2026 *Some events require advance reservation Venue: Matsuya Ginza 8th Floor Event Square Opening Hours: 11:00 – 20:00
*The exhibition closes at 5:00 PM on the final day. *The exhibition closes at 7:30 PM on March 22nd, 29th, April 5th, and 12th. *Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Organized by: Winnie the Pooh Exhibition Executive Committee, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the original author's debut. Official website: https://matsuya-exhibition.com/pooh100-exhibition
*Please check the official website for admission fees and ticket sales methods.
*Information regarding this exhibition is subject to change without notice. Please be sure to check the latest information, details, and precautions.