I have a notification on my Facebook this morning saying that three year ago I was in Tokyo visiting Katsushika Shibamata. So I though I should introduce you this place. Perhaps the town is not introduced as a major sightseeing place on guide books, however, it is a Japanese down town where are full of enjoyments.

Katsushika, Shibamata, Tokyo 葛飾区、柴又

Shibamata is a true hidden gem nested in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. A popular film series called Otoko wa tsurai yo (It is a tough being a man) was filmed here.

How to get a Shibamata

From the closest train station to Tokyo Skytree, Oshiage, you can ride the Keisei Line to Shibamata in 30 minutes. As soon as you exit the station you’ll be greeted by a statue of Tora-san, the protagonist of Otoko wa Tsurai yo.

Photo by MK

Visit Shibamata Taishakuten Temple

From the Shibamata Station you will walk through a shopping street called Taishakuten Sando [帝釈天参道」When I visited there it was rainy day and was a weekday so few visitors were here and there. Just follow the sando [参道] which leads you to a temple or a shrine easily.

Shibamata’s popular spot, the temple which is 400 years old, is affectionately known as ‘Shibamata Taishakuten’.

Retro shopping street where you can discover retro Japanese toys, foods and senbei (Japanese crackers), local restuarents. You certainly feel like you are back to the old times.

Photo by MK

Try shibamata’s specialty – Yomogi dango

Shibamata’s local specialty is yomogi dango. There are many shops making fresh dango. If you visit this retro shopping street, you much try eating yomogi dango. [よもぎだんご]

I tried this a set menu, (a cup of coffee and yomogi dango), which was about 520 yen, at a shop called [tora ya/とらや] where a filming of Otoko wa turai yo film series were taken. The inside shop is still unchanged and exactly same layout from the film. If I am not mistaken you can get the cup of coffee as much as you want.

Photo by MK

Monzen Toraya (門前とらや(柴又屋))　7 Chome-7-5 Shibamata, Katsushika City, Tokyo 125-0052, Japan. Phone:+81 -3- 3659-8111

Opening hours: Monday – Fryday 10am – 5pm, Weekend 9am – 5:30pm

Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum

Unfortunately, I could not go but if you are interested in Japanese movies, why not visit this place.

At the Tora-san Museum you can immerse yourself in the world of Japanese movies. The Japanese film series called Otoko wa turai yo・男はつらいよ starring Kiyoshi Atsumi as a leading character who is always unlucky in love. There are 48 films.

http://www.katsushika-kanko.com/tora/

The above link is not secure but you can still visit and change languages.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.