The Beauty of Shibamata, Tokyo

Shibamata of Katsuhika Ward is surrounded by a river and greenery. There are chic attraction such as parks with homely tastes, and temples and structures showing a long history.

Shibamata Taishakuten Temple and the approach

Entering through the old wooden gate called Niten-mon, visitors will see attractive structures including the main hall and other structure enshrining Taishakuten. There is a garden with a waterfall offering the natural beauty in four seasons. The approach to Taishakuten is a popular attraction with a number of food paradise such as Dangoya (dumpling shops) and Senbeiya (Japanese rice cracker shops) at either side of the road.

Mizumoto Park

The park has a drainage basin which has a long history. Visitors can enjoy seeing the forest park and aquatic plants like Japanese irises in the natural setup. The “Japanese Iris Festival” is held in June. Also popular is a bird sanctuary that was arranged in the waterfront in the natural environment.

Katsushika-ku Yamamoto-tei

The house of Yamamato Einosuke, a businessman in the Taisho era, is publicly shown. There are many attractions including a warehouse, a tenement house with a gate that combines Western and Japanese styles of architecture, and a beautiful garden arranging a fountain pond and a small artificial hill. There is a corner for a tea shop where visitors may take a rest after strolling at Shibamata.

Yagiri no Watashi

There is one of the ferries established as ferries floating across Tonegawa River by the Tokugawa government in the early Edo era. The ferry is also well-known thanks to “Nogiku-no-Haka”, a novel by Itoh Sachio and “Yagiri-no-Watashi”,  a hit popular song. A ferryboat is available for visitors to ride.

 

Katsushika Shibamata Tora san Museum

This is a memorial hall for “Otokowa Tsuraiyo”, the comic film series that was a bug hit with Atsumi Kiyoshi starring under the directorship of Yamada Yoji. Exhibited are materials offering the world of Tora-san including the studio set used in the movie making, models and films, which visitors will be able to enjoy to seeing.

Kanamachi Purification Plant

This is one of the major water purification plants of the Tokyo Water Supply System. It takes in water from the Edogawa river and supplies water to midtown Tokyo. The water purification capacity of 15 million cubic meters is one the largest class in Japan. The plant is open to the public during the time of cherry blossoms (early June), the week of the water system and on the Day of Metropolitan Citizen on October 1^st.