音楽絵本・銀河鉄道の夜

Where Music and Stories Converge. Experience the timeless masterpiece, "Night on the Galactic Railway," reimagined as an immersive Music Picture Book designed for children and adults alike.

A "Music Picture Book" is an immersive "Sound Book" where illustrations and music become one. Featuring 15 original Toytronica tracks, this app offers a "cinematic reading experience" through beautiful graphics and a curated soundtrack, moving beyond the boundaries of a traditional book.

Pro-tip: For the most immersive experience, we recommend turning off the lights and using headphones.

— Synopsis —

On the night Giovanni learns about the wonders of the galaxy in school, a mysterious steam locomotive appears atop a hill. Giovanni boards the train and begins a celestial journey along the banks of the Milky Way, headed for the Southern Cross at the edge of the universe. Alongside his classmate Campanella, a bird-catcher, a mysterious youth, and other travelers, Giovanni confronts the profound question of what true happiness really means in this unforgettable overnight voyage through the stars.

— Features —

Epic Scale: 248 pages (Approximately 40 minutes of reading time).

Elegant UI: Beautifully sliding text and easy-to-read typography.

Cinematic Experience: Designed to be savored slowly (best enjoyed without skipping).

Artistic Worldview: A unique aesthetic inspired by the nostalgic landscapes of Belgium.

— Accolades & Recognition —

Apple Japan: Featured as a "Digital Japanese Literature Textbook" on the official Education page.

App Store (Japan): Ranked #1 in the iPad Education Category (April 2011).

App Store: Featured in "Apps for Kids" and "What's Hot" (May 2011).

Yahoo! Internet Creative Awards: Finalist (2012).

App Awards for Women: Grand Prix Winner (2013).

Featured in Books: How to Play with Children to Make Them Smarter (Daiwa Shobo, 2017) and Monthly Hoshi Navi (AstroArts, 2019).

— Creative Team —

Original Story: Kenji Miyazawa One of Japan’s most beloved authors of children's literature and poetry.

Music: Moskitoo A sound artist who has released albums under the NYC-based label 12k. Her compositions utilize glockenspiels, organs, and toy instruments to create a nostalgic, whimsical soundscape.

Art & Modern Translation: Takeshi Sainen

Programming: Tom

— Additional Information —

English Version: Please note that the text in this version of the app is in Japanese. An English-language edition is available exclusively for iPad. To find the English version, please search for "Night on the Galactic Railway" in the App Store.

Global Access: This picture book is available for purchase worldwide.

— What is a "Music Picture Book"? —

The "Music Picture Book" series was born in 2011 with the release of this iPad edition of Night on the Galactic Railway. It was immediately recognized by educators and media outlets as a pioneer for "textbooks of the future."

The series has since expanded to include The Little Mermaid and The Happy Prince, featuring different musical artists for each title. Today, these apps are widely used in homes and educational settings for emotional development and as modern "read-aloud" stories.

— Support —

If you encounter any issues with the app, please contact us via our official website.