The world's first authorized museum dedicated to the life of John Lennon will close its doors on September 30, 2010, after a contract with his widow, Yoko Ono, expires, Japan Today.com said on Thursday.

A total of about 550,000 people have visited the museum since it was opened in the city of Saitama on the outskirts of Tokyo on October 9, 2000, to mark the 60th anniversary of Lennon's birth. Lennon was the lead singer for the famous British band, The Beatles, which had its roots in Liverpool before becoming world-famous.

The museum showcases 40 years of Lennon's life and displays about 130 items, including hand-written song lyrics, John Lennon's first guitar and a pair of his wire-rimmed glasses.

"After ten years here, John's spirit is now moving on - looking onward to the next journey," Ono said in a message to Lennon fans.

Lennon was shot dead on December 8, 1980, outside the Dakota apartment building in Manhattan, where he lived with Ono.

MOSCOW, February 4 (RIA Novosti)