| 1996 | Chikuma-gawa Highway Museum opens in Obuse Sogo Park (April 26). |
| Third International Hokusai Conference to be held in Obuse in April, 1998 (May 30). | |
| Prince and Princess of Hitachinomiya visit the Hokusai Museum (June 7). | |
| Obuse's Fall of 1996 event (September 20 - October 28). | |
| 20th Anniversary Exhibit at the Hokusai Museum. | |
| Special exhibit featuring Hokusai and Kozan at Takai Kozan Memorial Hall. | |
| Executive Committee for the International Hokusai Conference established (October 14). | |
| The Hokusai Museum 20th Anniversary Ceremony at the Kinro Seishonen Home (November 7). | |
| HOTOTOGISU KIKU BIJIN DOKUSHO Woman Reading while Listening to the Little cuckoo, SARUHIKI Monkey Performance on the Road, and others added to the museum collection. | |
| 1997 | Zenko-ji Temple Gokaicho, sacred image disclosed every seven years (April 6 - May 31). |
| The Hokusai Museum had 35 percent more visitors daily compared to the previous Gokaicho in 1991. | |
| A countdown board for the Third International Hokusai Conference unveiled. | |
| Obuse's Fall of 1997 event (September 19 - October 26). | |
| Hokusai's Brush Paintings of fall and winter attire featured at the Hokusai Museum. | |
| Four millionth visitor to the Hokusai Museum (October 17). | |
| FUGAKU SANJUROKKEI 36 Views of Mt. Fuji and SHOKOKU TAKI-MEGURI Waterfalls in Various Provinces added to the museum collection. | |
| The Hokusai Museum welcomes the Sunohara Collection consisted of works mainly spread through books illustrated by Hokusai. | |
| Cooperation of various preliminary events in anticipation of the Third International Hokusai Conference. |