Building, Hall
やかた (yakata)
Interesting Fact
If you've ever visited Japan, you may notice that museums, memorial halls, and exhibition centers often end with 館 instead of another building-related kanji. That's because 館 doesn't simply mean "building"—it traditionally suggests a place dedicated to preserving knowledge, culture, or hospitality. Whether it's an aquarium, science museum, or historical archive, seeing 館 often hints that something valuable awaits inside.
Memory Trick
The left side looks like someone carrying boxes of food into a huge building. The right side looks like the front of a grand castle with tall walls. Imagine a giant castle where everyone must bring food before entering. No food? No entry! Food + Huge Castle = Building (館)
Readings
Onyomi: カン (kan)
Kunyomi: やかた (yakata)
Example Words
Example Sentence
放課後に 図書館へ 行きます。
ほうかごに としょかんへ いきます。
houkago ni toshokan e ikimasu
I go to the library after school.