Basho Museum, Tokyo

This two-floor building is dedicated to the memory of an early Edo writer of travel sketches, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694). He was also a poet who was pivotal in bringing haiku to the level of art. The detailed maps of his walks are particularly noteworthy. He produced excellent haiku as a result of his five-month trip through northern Honshu, then the least developed area in Japan. For serious enthusiasts there is a special room for haiku works-in-progress and recitations. A garden and a glimpse of the Sumida River add to the special ambiance.