STORY

Enjoying Temples, Gourmet Food and More in Tokyo! Four Single-Day Travel Plans in Katsushika

What do you expect from a trip to Japan? Exploring old townscapes, visiting historic temples and shrines, trying Japanese food, immersing in nature are some of the things most people want to do. Your list of "must see" places in Tokyo might include districts like Asakusa, Shibuya, and Akihabara, but what probably isn't on your list is Katsushika. Located north-east of the city, this lesser-known district is packed full with ancient tradition, delicious food, beautiful nature and cool festivals. It's even home to some of Japan's most famous anime, manga and movies! Here are four sample day trips to Katsushika that you can use as inspiration for your next vacation!

■ Four Single-Day Travel Plans in Katsushika

Discovering Katsushika's History and Natural Landscape by Rental Bike

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Participating in the Katsushika Iris Festival and feeling Tokyo's nature

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Touring the Keisei Railway With the Shitamati Biyori Pass

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Filling up on No-Frills, Delicious Local Food

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Here are the details for the above itineraries.

Itinerary: 1 Discovering Katsushika's History and Natural Landscape by Rental Bike

Main destinations: Shibamata, Mizumoto Park, Kanamachi

A great way to get around Katsushika is by renting a bike. Getting off at the Shibamata train station, you can start with a stroll along the Taishakuten Sando Street and a visit to the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. Taishakuten Sando is lined with traditional wooden buildings where you can find some great street food to accompany your stroll. Shibamata is also the setting for the popular Japanese movie series "The Otoko wa tsurai yo" (Our Lovable Tramp). Make sure you pay a visit to the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum, where you can also rent a bike (rental available on weekends and national holidays only).

Shibamata Taishakuten

Hopping on your bike you can follow the picturesque bank of the Edo River. Here you'll see Yagiri-no-watashi, an ancient river crossing service that's still operational, and the cute red brick towers of the Kanamachi water purification plant. Continuing on is also the peaceful Kasai Shrine. This route will take you to the Mizumoto area where you'll find Nanzoin Temple. Here is the unique Shibarare Jizo, a Buddha statue that people tie up with ropes to make their prayers come true. The nearby Mizumoto Park is an extensive green area that will make you forget that you're in a metropolis. This is the only place in Tokyo that retains a riverside town scenery. Beautiful in all seasons, it's known for its majestic metasequoias, cherry blossoms, Japanese irises and hydrangeas. After visiting Mizumoto Park you can go back to Shibamata, return your bike and end the day relaxing at the retro Cafe Sepia.

Taishakuten Sando Street

Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum

The TORAsan cafe located inside the museum

Bike Rental

Yagiri-no-watashi

Kanamachi water purification plant intake tower

Kasai Shrine

Nanzoin Temple (Shibarare Jizo)

Sanuki Udon Hanamoto

Mizumoto Park (summer)

Mizumoto Park (autumn)

Cafe Sepia

【Itinerary】Discovering Katsushika's History and Natural Landscape by Rental Bike

Shibamata Station
↓Short walk
Shibamata Tourist Information Center ⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Shibamata Taishakuten ⇒CLICK
↓Short walk
Taishakuten Sando Street

↓Walk 5 minutes
Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum ⇒CLICK
*After visiting the museum, rent a bike from the adjacent "tourism and culture center" on the second floor.
↓Bicycle 5 minutes (approx. 0.4km)
Yagiri-no-watashi ⇒CLICK
↓Bicycle 5 minutes (approx. 0.7km)

Kanamachi water purification plant intake tower
↓Bicycle 5 minutes (approx. 0.7km)
Kasai Shrine ⇒CLICK
↓Bicycle 10 minutes (approx. 1.3km)
Nanzoin Temple (Shibarare Jizo) ⇒CLICK
↓Bicycle 5 minutes (approx. 0.8km)
Sanuki Udon Hanamoto ⇒CLICK
↓Bicycle 5 minutes (approx. 0.3km)
Mizumoto Park ⇒CLICK
↓Bicycle 25 minutes (approx. 3.6km)
Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum
*Return bicycle
↓Walk 10 minutes
Cafe Sepia ⇒CLICK
↓Walk 3 minutes
Shibamata Station

Memo

■ Bike Rental
- The bike rental service at the Tora-san Museum is available on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. from November to February). Please make sure you return the bicycle before the closing time.
- If you're visiting during the week when bike rental is not available you can still get around by train and bus.
Shibamata Station→[5 min. train on the Keisei Kanamachi Line]→Keisei Kanamachi Station→walk to JR Kanamachi Station→[from South Exit bus platform n.4 take 金61 bus bound for Togasaki Soshajo, or from North Exit bus platform take 金62 bus bound for Nishimizumoto 3-chome/Obagawa Suimon, ride 10 minutes and get off at Mizumoto Park]→[walk 10 min.]→Mizumoto Park

Itinerary: 2 Participating in the Katsushika Iris Festival and feeling Tokyo's nature

Main destinations: Horikiri Iris Garden, Mizumoto Park, Kanamachi

The gorgeous Japanese iris blooms in this part of Tokyo from early to mid-June. During this period the Katsushika Iris Festival takes place. On weekends, a special bus called the Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus takes visitors to popular spots like Shibamata, Kanamachi and Horikiri.
*Event schedules and other information in this article are subject to change. Please check the official website Katsumaru Guide before your visit.

Horikiri Shobuen (Iris Garden)

Every year about 6,000 Japanese irises of 200 varieties are in bloom at Horikiri Iris Garden. Not far from here is Horikiri Mizube Park on the bank of the Arakawa River, which offers a beautiful view of the flowers with the Tokyo Skytree® in the background. Grab some croquette bread near Horikirishobuen Station as a snack to bring along. After Horikiri you can move to Mizumoto Park where some 14,000 irises of 100 varieties are grown for the Katsushika Iris Festival. The delicate hydrangeas are also in bloom in this period. Head to Kanamachi for a late lunch and a soak in Kanamachi-yu, a retro bathhouse with beautiful paintings of Mt. Fuji. Finally, finish your visit with some sake tasting at Sakeoh where you can chat with the friendly owner in English.

Shobu Shichifukujin

Horiguchi Bakery

Horikiri Shobuen（Iris Garden）

Horikiri Mizube Park

Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus

Japanese iris in Mizumoto Park

Hydrangeas in Mizumoto Park

Futaba Kaikan Restaurant Sancerre

Kanamachi-yu

Nihonshu Sakeoh

【Itinerary】Participating in the Katsushika Iris Festival and feeling Tokyo's nature

Horikirishobuen Station
↓Walk 5 minutes
Shobu Shichifukujin
↓Walk 3 minutes
Horiguchi Bakery　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 6 minutes
Horikiri Shobuen (Iris Garden) ⇒CLICK
↓Walk 7 minutes
Arakawa River bank
*Great for snacking on your bread while gazing at the Tokyo Skytree® and river view
↓Walk 5 minutes
Horikiri Mizube Park
↓Walk 7 minutes

Horikiri Shobuen-mae temporary bus stop
↓Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus approx. 30 minutes　*you can get around by regular buses
Mizumoto Park　⇒CLICK
↓Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus approx. 5 minutes *you can get around by regular buses and walk
Kanamachi Station
↓Walk 5 minutes
Futaba Kaikan Restaurant Sancerre　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 7 minutes
Kanamachi-yu　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 11 minutes
Nihonshu Sakeoh　⇒CLICK

Memo

*The Katsushika Iris Festival is usually held in the period from late May to June. The Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus runs during the same period.
*Event schedules and other information in this article are subject to change. Please check the official website Katsumaru Guide before your visit.

■ Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus
This special bus runs during the Katsushika Iris Festival from late May to June. The bus operates on Saturdays and Sundays, and it's a good way to get around Katsushika's popular spots.

■ On weekdays you can get around by train and regular buses
The Katsushika Iris Festival is held every day during the iris blooming period. Here's the route you can take on regular transportation when the Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus isn't running.

Horikiri Iris Garden→[10 min. walk]→Horikiri Shobuen Station→[approx. 8 min. train on the Keisei Main Line]→Keisei Takasago Station→[approx. 5 min. train on the Keisei Kanamachi Line]→Kanamachi Station→[from South Exit bus platform n.4 take 金61 bus bound for Togasaki Soshajo, or from North Exit bus platform take 金62 bus bound for Nishimizumoto 3-chome/Obagawa Suimon, ride 10 minutes and get off at Mizumoto Park]→Mizumoto Park Entrance→[10 min. walk]→Mizumoto Park

Itinerary: 3 Touring the Keisei Railway With the Shitamati Biyori Pass

Main destinations: Shibamata, Takasago, Yotsugi, Tateishi

The Keisei Electric Railway offers a one-day travel pass for the trains that run through Tokyo. In this itinerary you will explore the stations of Shibamata, Takasago, Yotsugi and Tateishi.

Captain Tsubasa art in Yotsugi Station

After a visit to the popular destinations of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple and Taishakuten Sando Street, head to Keisei Takasago. Here you'll find PLATAKU, a cafe themed after toy trains where you can gaze at seemingly infinite toy rails while you enjoy some food (open on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday only). After that hop back on the train to Yotsugi, where the whole station building is covered in Captain Tsubasa art. This is because Yotsugi is the hometown of Yoichi Takahashi, author of the popular manga. Grab some Captain Tsubasa cookies at Salon de Cafe Kotobuki or take some pictures at the Yotsugi Tsubasa Park.
After a stroll in Yotsugi, the final destination is Tateishi. 5 minutes from the station is the Katsushika Traditional Craft Center where you can admire and buy traditional Japanese crafts like Edo Kiriko glass, shamisen, and Japanese knives all made by Katsushika craftsmen.
End the day at a bar with one of the most authentic old-town Tokyo atmospheres.

Taishakuten Sando Street

The statue of "Futen-no-tora"

Teishakuten Nitenmon and Yomogi dango

Katsushika-ku Yamamoto-tei

Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum

Kawachiya

Cafe PLATAKU

Captain Tsubasa art in Yotsugi Station

Salon de Cafe Kotobuki

Yotsugi Tsubasa Park (Statue of ”Ozora Tsubasa”)

Katsushika Traditional Craft Center

Edokko

Shitamati Biyori Pass

【Itinerary】Touring the Keisei Railway With the Shitamati Biyori Pass

Shibamata Station
↓Short walk
The statue of "Futen-no-tora"
↓Short walk
Taishakuten Sando Street
↓Walk 5 minutes
Shibamata Taishakuten　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 3 minutes
Katsushika-ku Yamamoto-tei　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 8 minutes
Kawachiya　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Shibamata Station
↓Keisei Kanamachi Line train bound for Takasago 3 minutes

Takasago Station
↓Walk 5 minutes
Cafe PLATAKU　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Takasago Station
↓Keisei Oshiage Line train bound for Oshiage 6 minutes
Yotsugi Station
*Captain Tsubasa art inside the station　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Salon de Cafe Kotobuki　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 2 minutes
Yotsugi Tsubasa Park (Statue of ”Ozora Tsubasa”)　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Yotsugi Station　⇒CLICK
↓Keisei Oshiage Line train bound for Aoto 2 minutes
Keisei Tateishi Station
↓Walk 3 minutes
Katsushika Traditional Craft Center　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 3 minutes
Edokko　⇒CLICK

Memo

■ Keisei Electric Railway Shitamati Biyori Pass
Fee: adults (middle school students and older) 510 yen, children (elementary school students) 260 yen

This ticket is convenient for travelling on the Tokyo portion of the Keisei Electric Railway. This includes popular stations like Ueno and Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree). You can purchase it on the day of your visit.
https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/tickets/shitamati.php

Itinerary: 4 Filling up on No-Frills, Delicious Local Food

Main destinations: Kameari, Shinkoiwa

Trying Japanese food is on the must-do list of most travelers to Japan and Tokyo! Katsushika is blessed with a wide variety of authentic Japanese establishments, ranging from ramen to sweets to okonomiyaki. This itinerary will take you on a food tour in Kameari, home of the manga series "Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutujo" and Shinkoiwa, where Sekiguchi (maker of the popular toy Monchhichi) has its headquarters.

Ryo-san bronze statue by Kameari Station South Exit

Arriving at Kameari Station South Exit you'll be welcomed by a colored statue of characters from ”Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutujo”. The first recommended food to try is koppe pan, a classic Japanese snack from the super-popular bakery Yoshida Pan. You can take it to Kameari Park, where another bronze statue of Ryo-san on a bench will keep you company. After that you can explore Kameari Youroad shopping street where you'll find many delicious establishments with a Ryo-san themed menu like Sagano and Iseya. Once your tummy is almost full head over to Kameari Katori Shrine where another Ryo-san statue is located. Make sure you leave some room for dessert so you can enjoy the amazing pastries at La Rose des Japonais, a stylish cafe inside the shrine grounds.
After enjoying Kameari, hop on a bus to Shinkoiwa from the Station's South Exit. Here you'll find the 420m long Lumiere Shopping Street with great bargains for street food and shopping. Shinkoiwa is home to some of Tokyo's most popular ramen joints, so make sure you dig into some noodles while you're here!

Yoshida Pan's popular snack, koppe pan

Kameari Park

Ryo-san Dorayaki at Katsushika Iseya Kameari Main Store

Ryo-san monja at Sagano

Kameari Katori Shrine

La Rose des Japonais

Shinkoiwa Lumiere Shopping Street

Monchhichi manhole

Ibuki Ramen

【Itinerary】Filling up on No-Frills, Delicious Local Food

Kameari Station
↓Short walk
"Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutujo" bronze statue
↓Walk 3 minutes
Yoshida Pan
↓Walk 5 minutes
Kameari Park　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Kameari's Shopping Street "Youroad"
↓Short walk
Katsushika Iseya Kameari Honten
↓Short walk
Okonomiyaki and Monja Sagano　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 5 minutes
Kameari Katori Shrine　⇒CLICK
La Rose des Japonais　⇒CLICK

↓Walk 5 minutes

Kameari Station
*Get on the bus in front of the "KochiKame" colored statue titled “Welcome to Kameari!
Ryotsu, Nakagawa and Reiko welcome you!”
↓From Kameari Station South Exit bus platform n.1 take the Keisei Town Bus 新小58 bound for Shinkoiwa Ekimae, or the 新小53 bus bound for Shinkoiwa Eki Tohoku Hiroba, ride approx. 30 minutes and get off at the last stop
Shinkoiwa Station
↓Walk 1 minutes
Shinkoiwa Lumiere Shopping Street　⇒CLICK
↓Short walk
Monchhichi manhole
*located near the entrance to Lumiere Shopping Street. There are a total of 10 Monchhichi manholes scattered around Shinkoiwa (due to street works only one is currently visible)
↓Walk 7 minutes
Ibuki Ramen　⇒CLICK
↓Walk 8 minutes
Shinkoiwa Station

Memo

■ "Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutujo" statue hunt
Kameari is dotted with 15 KochiKame bronze statues that you can visit.
More info about the KochiKame ⇒Katsumaru Guide (KochiKame statue hunt)

Become a Tokyo Travel Pro With These Original Itineraries!

Whether you like walking, cycling, or using public transportation there's a unique way for you to explore Katsushika. The places we included above are only a small portion of what you can find in this part of Tokyo. With its local feel, the best way to visit Katsushika is to get lost in the many alleys and streets, and find your own hidden treasures.

Katsushika is easily accessible from Tokyo's main districts. The JR Sobu line connects it with Shinjuku, while the Keisei Line connects it with Ueno, Oshiage (where the Tokyo Skytree is), Narita and Haneda.

*The above article is based on coverages made until March 2020.
*Event schedules and other information in this article are subject to change. Please check the official website Katsumaru Guide before your visit.
*The information in this article was accurate at the time of the interview. Prices, business hours and other information are subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information before visiting.
*Travel times are an estimate and they might vary due to traffic or weather. Make sure you include some extra time in your plan.

© OSAMU AKIMOTO,ATELIER BEEDAMA/SHUEISHA
© A・A/S・A
© YOICHI TAKAHASHI/SHUEISHA
© YOICHI TAKAHASHI/SHUEISHA・2018CAPTAIN TSUBASA PRODUCTION COMMITTEE
© Sekiguchi
© Shochiku Co., Ltd.

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