Strolling the Old World of Tokyo: An One-Day Walking Tour through Shibamata.

Right off the Shibamata Station awaits you a bronze statues of Tora-san and his younger sister Sakura, main characters from movie “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”. The statues depict a memorable moment of Tora-san looking back before setting out on his next adventure. Captured in vivid expression and pose, it became a popular photo-taking spot for tourists.

Get off at Shibamata Station and head for Taishakuten Sando by foot, you'll find the Shibamata Tourist Information Center, located at the entrance of the main temple promenade. Get youself a map, as well as tourist pamphlets before setting off to Shibamata!

Taishakuten is a temple said to be very effective in praying for a cure to restore health and has been held by the local people for more than 400 years. The artistic Niten-mon Gate will lead you to the main Taishaku-do Hall inside.
Taishaku-do Hall is the main spot where visitors come to pray at Taishakuten. The black pine tree coiled in front of the hall is called “Zuiryu-no-matsu” (lit. “Dragon of Fortune Pines”). The lodgepole pine is more than 400 years old and has been designated as a natural monument in Tokyo. The trunk of the tree stretching straight into the sky and the beautiful extension of the luxuriant leaves formed the appearance like a dragon about to fly, hence the current title.

Off to the right of Taishaku-do Hall is the entrance to the sculpture gallery, leading to the Daikyakuden Hall(Great Visitor’s Reception Hall) that you can visit for 400yen (200yen for children). Along the path displayed a national treasure exquisite sculpture works of art, very valuable to visit. In addition, you can walk to the Suikei-en Garden from the Guest hall to enjoy a moment of outdoor nature. The quiet and beautiful scenery makes a perfect escape from the noisy city.

You’ll find the Sonoda Shinbutsugu-ten store right outside the main gate out of Taishakuten. Inside you’ll find some traditional folk toys native to Shibamata. The famous, Hajiki-zaru, is a toy where you can flick a tiny monkey as it grips onto a tiny pole. Monkeys are especially affiliated with Taishakuten as a lucky charm, treasured because the name “Hajiki-zaru” echoes a verb with the same name that means to “ward off evil” (while drumming up good luck). It also makes for a great souvenir. right

Kusa-dango is the iconic snack to try from Shibamata. In the film series, “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”, Tora-san even lives above a dango shop. It’s perfect treat to enjoy over a pitstop inside, but works perfectly as street food while checking out all the dango shops along the way.

The closest dango shop from Taishakuten is Kameya-Honpo, a longstanding shop since its opening in 1901. This shop is famous for serving as a set location and model for Tora-san’s house in “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”. While the shop has changed a bit over time, it still keeps the original, vintage charm from the era.

In addition to Kameya-Honpo, there are many veteran dango shops to visit along the temple walk, including “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)” film crew favorite, Takagiya-rouho”, the Toraya shop from the movies, Yoshinoya where you can watch dango prepared before your eyes, Yamatoya and more. Its especially fun to try and compare a bite from each shop.

Shibamata, just steps from the river, has been blessed throughout the years with fresh eel, carp, and other fresh water fish. That’s why so many travelers and temple-goers make a point to sample the freshwater cuisine during their visit. Shibamata’s river cuisine is so well known that it’s even a culinary trope often found in Japanese novels and literature. Today there are many shops serving up this tasty delight, but one veteran shop beloved for over 250 years is Kawachiya. It’s exterior gives it the look of a vintage, age-old ryokan, while the authentic “Ganso Kawasakana Kappo” (authentic freshwater fish cuisine) wooden signboard lends an especially prestigious character.

You can dine in the main hall, zashiki-style (course), with catering or take out options so anyone can enjoy whether dining alone or with many.
If you dine inside, there’s a center garden that boasts the rich colors of the season to delight your eyes and soul.

And let’s not forget about the “Eel rice box”. These boxes of eel over rice are deliciously made with the same flavor that has been passed down since the store first opened. Borne of expert skill and years of experience, each bite is made by a master chef to absolute grilled perfection.
Grilled eel, front and center, is sourced from different farms depending on the season.

In addition to Kawachiya, Yebisuya and Kawajin, a restaurant in business over 200 years, are top picks to taste the best in Shibamata famous, freshwater fish cuisine.

Make it to the middle of the temple walk and your nose will be greeted by the enticing, sweet aroma wafting from confectionery shop “Ishii”.
It’s a hot spot for many popular treats, but one taste you cannot miss is the famous Kome-Kome Roll (Rice-Rice Roll). Many Japanese confections are made using rice, so this new invention takes a spin on western sweets, this time using rice. The springy dough is made with roasted rice flour, loads of fresh whipped cream, and a dusting of wasanbon, a high-end, refined Japanese sugar that’s finished with a tastefully charred crisp. Fine, delicious ingredients prepared simply for you to enjoy. It’s crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making for a new spin on how you know roll cakes.

Senbei is next in line with famous Shibamata snacks to try, right after dango and eel. They’re great when hot, fresh and crispy, but they also make a great take home souvenir! Walk by and waves of their rich, savory aroma are sure to bring you in for a quick stop.
Asanoya is a senbei spot along the Taishakuten Sando, just 5 minutes out from Shibamata Station. Made with a house-made batter recipe, each senbei wafer is grilled individually to perfection. Prepare to get lost in the enticing smell of roasting soy sauce as it makes its way to your nose. Even if just as a souvenir, the flavor of a perfectly hand-made senbei is the perfect way to share a smile. Don’t forget to also check out Kanekoya and Tachibanaya for more delicious senbei to sample!

After eating your way back from Taishakuten, you’ll find an eclectic little building waiting again at the end of the temple walk. It’s called Shibamata Haikara Yokocho. The front entrance is marked by a robot-looking vending machine. Inside, you’ll find a world of children’s delights loved from classic, old-world Tokyo, and a sweets shop with traditional “Dagashi” candy-man style confections.

From retro classics to recent favorites, this shop is packed wall to wall with Dagashi sweets. You can expect a range of prices, but a lot of these sweet bites are sold for as little as a few 10 yen. Unleast your inner child and start exploring anything from a few tasty bites to a full shopping spree. There’s even a game corner filled with, yep you guessed it, nothing but vintage games and retro originals you love.

On the second floor you’ll find the Shibamata Toy Museum. You can buy an entry ticket by the register on the 1st floor candy shop to access an immersive world of toys that captivated children across Japan just half a century ago.

Yamamoto-tei was once the former residence of Mr. Yamamoto, a Shibamata business mogul who ran a camera parts factory. The mansion was built over 100 years ago in the traditional shoin architectural style, with a few, western accents that were typical of modern Japanese design at the time. Of all of its draws, Yamamoto-tei is best known for its exquisite Japanese garden, which ranks annually in the U.S. exclusive magazine for Japanese gardens, “The Journal of Japanese Gardening”. For just 100 yen you can come in for a view of the garden or enjoy a spot of matcha tea and wagashi confections (separate fee applies). There’s a waterfall located at the very back of the pond, giving the garden a depth you can’t help but gaze into.

The Tasteful Teahouse Menu at Yamamoto-tei

Choose from selection of matcha green tea, coffee and sweets, all served with a view of a Japanese garden, bathed in a canopy of trickled sunlight. It's a tangible cultural asset and luxurious space where you can still enjoy a drink or snack inside. Which each menu item around 500 yen each, this is an especially delightful stop.

If you’re looking for a deep dive into Japan’s beloved film series, “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”, make your way to Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum. Inside you’ll find a recreation of Kurumaya, the dango shop in Shibamata, Katsushika that always served as Tora-san’s home after returning home from each adventure. The set here is from the original, now moved to this location so you can enjoy the full, immersive experience of the film world.

You can also find original props and items that were used in the film series throughout the museum. If you’ve never seen the series, don’t worry, because there’s plenty to explore. There’s a recreation of the Shibamata city streets from the 1950s～1960s era, which serves as a perfect photo spot. You’ll also find models and a hall dedicated to recreating the voices from the series, waiting to transport you back to over 50 years ago.

With the same museum ticket, you can also visit the Yamada Yoji Museum. Inside you’ll find an homage to Director Yamada, films used in the movies, and previews of Director Yamada’s works.

Shibamata Park stretches across the riverbed of Edo River, with a splendid view of lush green trees and rich blue from the river. Its also a great spot for recreation, sports, and those visiting the baseball field.

Look out to the middle of the river and you’ll find a cute little building, topped with a roof that looks like a wizard’s hat. This is the Intake Tower of Kanamachi Purification Plant completed in 1941, that has been featured in film for “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”, and in the manga “Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutujo”. While cute, you’ll be surprised by its grandeur as you approach.

When in Shibamata, one trip you must try is a Yagiri-no-Watashi boat voyage. Step into a vessel of reclaimed wood before boating across from Shibamata to Matsudo City on the other side in Chiba Prefecture. This is one of the few remaining river passages still available in Tokyo. On a clear day with gentle breeze you can even enjoy your cruise against a backdrop of Skytree. As the bustling city noise fades into the distance, enjoy a moment engulfed in nothing but the echoes of water, birds, and distant trains as they pass you by.