Leisure Spot

Step into the world of the movie series “Otoko wa Tsurai yo ("It's Tough Being a Man")” as soon as you enter the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum. The Kurumaya sweets shop replica set, costumes, utensils, and Yoji Yamada’s megaphone, all actually used in the movie series, as well as many precious documents are exhibited. So is the contents of Tora-san’s suitcase too! In addition, videos showing the making of the movies, corners that bring recollections of famous scenes as well as the successive potential female love interests, commemorative photo booths, and so much more will let you immerse yourself into the world of Tora-san. Whether a fan or not, come experience the kindness found in Katsushika Shimabata, Tora-san’s beloved hometown. During your exploration of the Shimabata area, make sure to stop by the memorial hall to add to your experience.

A crossing boat on the Edo River between Shibamata, Tokyo and Chiba prefecture on the other side. The Yagiri-no-Watashi boat, which the name appears in songs and novels, is the only remaining crossing boat in Tokyo and it is used to film many scenes of the "It's Though Being a Man" movie series. You may feel a comfort of gliding on the calm surface of the Edo River.

Lake Okutama is an artificial lake that was created when the Ogouchi Dam was built on the Tama River. It is officially called ‘Ogouchi Reservoir.’ It straddles four municipalities: Okutama-machi in Tokyo, as well as Tabayama-mura, Kosuge-mura and Koshu City in Yamanashi Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains rich in flora and fauna, the location offers beautiful sceneries all year round: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in the summer, colored leaves in autumn, and breathtaking landscapes in winter. Different exhibits are displayed at the Okutama Water and Green Friendship Hall, located by the lake, to present the local history and culture, the natural environment of Okutama—a source of water for the residents of Tokyo—and the inner workings of the dam, making it a great place to learn about water and the lives of people around it. Many people come this peaceful oasis of the metropolitan area to relax.

This is an amusing spot located in Oshima. There are lots of highlights such as a promenade with beautiful camelia and hydrangea flowers alongside and a grass lawn you can't help but to lie down. You can catch a sight of Mt.Fuji across the water on a sunny day. It is a perfect place to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh yourself. Their local specialities are milk rice crackers (Senbei) and squirrel manju (bun with a red bean filling) and you can take them home. Have a relaxing moment over here on your way to visit the rest of the filming locations.

MoriTown is located just outside Akishima Station in surroundings brimming with greenery. A myriad of events are held at the shopping center that features, among other facilities, 150 specialty stores and a movie theater. From shopping to entertainment, you’ll be spoiled for choice. In the Showa-No-Mori area near Moritown, you’ll also find the mall-like commercial facility complex Mori Park Outdoor Village, which specializes in outdoor goods, and a barbecue site.

This is the street commonly known as “Base side street”, which extends along with the National Highway No. 16, facing the Yokota Air Base. The street which extends along American-style buildings is the home to various stores, including vintage clothing stores where offers a wide variety of jeans and aloha shirts, stores selling antique items and imported goods, army-issued goods and souvenir shops for foreigners. This is the spot where you can enjoy window shopping while experiencing the uniquely exotic atmosphere. You may want to stop by in this area when you are on a tour of filming locations in Fussa-shi.

This is a theme park where you can meet your favorite Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty. There are varieties of rides and shows featuring popular Sanrio characters. Since it is an indoor facility, it is cool in summer and warm in winter, and you can enjoy it regardless of the weather condition throughout the year. There are limited Sanrio merchandises only sold here as well. It's a highly recommended spot for Sanrio fans without doubt as well as for families and couples. It's located within a few minutes walk from Tama Center station.

The mount stands at 599 m above sea level in Hachioji City and is located about one hour away from the urban center by train. Many people come to visit Mount Takao, which is known for the beautiful nature each season brings to its surroundings year-round. In addition to several hiking courses, a cable car and lifts are also available so that men and women of all ages can easily reach the top and enjoy the view. With more than 2.6 million visitors annually, Mount Takao boasts the world’s greatest number of climbers. The area that includes the summit is called Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-national Park. When the skies are clear, Mount Fuji—a World Heritage site—can be seen in the distance from the observation deck. Many bustling restaurants and souvenir shops can also be found near the foot of the mount. The area has been selected as a three-star sightseeing spot by Michelin.

“Tonogayato Garden” situated in Kokubnji is a circuit style garden with woods and ponds that took advantage of the natural terrain of Musashino as it is. The gardening techniques applied in this garden to change the atmosphere of each area is so exquisite. The garden is created by skillfully utilizing the valley by the cliffs: lawn on top of the cliff, natural spring on the bottom of the cliff, and there is a forest. Just a few-minute walk from the Kokubunji Station! This is another spot that you will not want to miss when you are on the filming location tour.

Entertainment art Athenaeum PAL is a museum that has been providing props and decorations to the film shooting locations since Japanese movie has started, back in Taisho era. This Athenaeum is ran by Takatsu Soushoku Bujutu Company. There are many props which were used in real dramas, movies and TV dramas displayed at their museum which opened in 1998.
This museum is used for training and educating people who engage in Entertainment Art, to learn art history, Entertainment manners and folklores. All collections are only the fine authentic items, like strictly selected armors, furniture, ceramics and paintings. We can learn from the perspective of props, the Japanese movie history and what was popular back in those times. This facility has concentrated the knowhow of the technology which sustained the growth of Japanese movie, and have created various time settings and scenes based on history. Visiting here may give you a hint to enjoy the movies an dramas much more and deeper.

This is one of the leading government managed parks in Japan which extends across Tachikawa-shi and Akishima-shi. The park is Tokyo’s own oasis with its area equivalent to 40 times the size of Tokyo Dome filled with lush greens. The park is divided into “Green Culture Zone”, “Exhibition Facilities Zone”, “Water Zone”, “Open Field Zone”, and “Forest Zone”. You can enjoy various events held in the park as well as seasonal flowers that decorate the gardens that change season by season.

The metropolitan zoo is located in Musashino City, Tokyo. More than 200 animals are kept in an area of Inokashira Park which is surrounded by an ancient grove of mixed trees reminiscent of Musashino’s old days. Points of interest include squirrels innocently approaching visitors on the Squirrel Lane, the close-range observation of dear at Musashino Habitat, and holding cute guinea pigs at the Guinea Pig Petting Corner. The leopard cats also are a highlight as their breeding through artificial insemination was successfully achieved for the first time in Japan. Come relax and soothe your soul among the lush greenery filled with lovely animals.

Tokyo Polytechnic University Suginami Animation Museum is the first facility in Japan that presents animation in a systematic manner so that visitors can learn about, experience, and understand Japanese animation. In addition to offering interactive workshops and exhibitions about post-recording and animation production processes, the museum has special exhibitions that present information about the latest animations. Everyone is sure to find a host of opportunities to enjoy the various aspects of Japanese animation. The museum features a library replete with books related to animation and video interviews with creators as well as a theater that shows animation works. Suginami Animation Museum is the perfect place to learn more about animation while having fun.

The aquarium is in Tokyo Sea Life Park located on the seaside of Tokyo Bay. The building of the aquarium is a 30.7m (100 feet) tall eye-catching glass dome. There are blue fin tuna swimming inside a 2,200t huge donut shaped tank, one of the biggest exhibitons of penguins in Japan, and more than 600 different species of sea life from the seas of the world. They also offer unique exhibitions dedicated to sea life in Tokyo Bay. After visiting the aquarium, you can also ride the big ferris wheel and get a view of Tokyo Bay or walk through the park with a comforting sea breeze.

Main gateway to Tokyo, the station boasts the greatest number of platforms in Japan. All services were fully restored following the completion of the restoration in 2012. The red-brick Marunouchi Station Building, designed by architect Kingo Tatsuno et al., was designated as a national Important Cultural Property. As you visit the location, take some time to casually stroll around the Ekinaka (inside the station) area of Tokyo Station City. You’ll find an unlimited choice of Japanese and Western restaurants as well as sweets, ekiben (station box lunch), and gourmet specialties that can only be found at Tokyo Station. Come visit Tokyo Station Gallery where various exhibitions are held and where you’ll find the well-known brick wall that embodies the history of Marunouchi Station Building.

Kiyosumi Garden is a stroll garden whose main features consist of a central pond, artificial hills, and a Japanese rock garden. Three islands dot the large pond at the center of the garden which includes many places of interest and is known as one of the scenic spots designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. A walk across the stepping-stone bridge near the edge of the pond offers different views of the scenery, among which, the highest point of the garden: the artificial hill that represents Mt. Fuji. A pavilion that overhangs the pond also serves as a tea-ceremony arbor. The garden is also a famous bird watching spot as a variety of wild birds can be seen gathering at the pond because of the proximity of Sumida River and Tokyo Bay.

Takeshita Street is a shopping street that spans the 350 or so meters that separate JR Harajuku station and Meiji Street in Harajuku. It goes gently downhill from the station and features various fashion stores and sweets shops. The town is widely known for its distinctive fashion. In the 80s, the area saw the rise in popularity of the ‘Takenoko-zoku,’ youngsters who would dress in unique costumes and move to the beats of step dance. From the 90s and on, more and more famous international brands chose to set up shop on Takeshita Street. A part of the town commonly referred to as ‘Urahara’ eventually developed to become a sophisticated cultural spot. Currently, the area is a thriving hub for the latest fashion and culture trends among young people. It is also a popular tourist destination for travelers both from Japan and overseas.

Shibuya Ward shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Year after year, Meiji Shrine welcomes more worshipers than any other shrines for their first shrine visit of the New Year. Throughout the year, many people come to relax at the shrine which is one of the leading sightseeing destinations in Tokyo. The vast (approximately 700,000 square meters) precincts feature the famous Kiyomasa Well power spot, the beautiful Japanese irises of the Imperial Garden (best viewed in June), the two camphor trees named the ‘Kusunoki Couple’ and said to bring luck to people seeking matchmaking or matrimonial happiness, and many other places of interest. Come feel the holiness and serenity of the place, surrounded by the lush woods that will make you forget that you’re in Tokyo.

The museum is a public musesum located next to Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Sumida. The museum houses materials that passes on the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo to today. There are varieties of displays which you can learn about the changes of Edo (old Tokyo until 1869) to modern Tokyo and experience a life in Edo by riding a palanquin and holding the firefighter's banner. There are special exhibitions held as well. It is highly recommended to visit along with the film shooting sites of "Onihei's Detective Note".

The tallest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world which opened on May 2012 (634m/2,080 ft-tall) The panoramic views from Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria are just spectacular! You will not want to miss the 360 degree panoramic views on the sunny day. Tokyo Soramachi, situated on the foot of the tower, is also the popular tourist attraction which provides a wide range of shopping and entertainment. When you go on a tour of filming locations in shitamachi, the traditional district, Sumida-ku is a perfect place to let you enjoy the new and old attractions offered by Tokyo.