- TOP
- Search Criteria
- In-depth feature on ‘Tokorozawa Sakura Town,’ the largest pop culture hub in Japan
STORY
In-depth feature on ‘Tokorozawa Sakura Town,’ the largest pop culture hub in Japan
Looking for an outing related to Japanese anime and manga? Tokorozawa Sakura Town is a complex facility created by KADOKAWA, one of Japan's leading manga and light novel publishers. Designed and supervised by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the facility features a variety of exhibitions, a library, gourmet food, stores, and even a shrine. Come and enjoy Japanese pop culture all day long!
It's also connected by train from Ikebukuro Station, an area with many anime shops, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach Higashi-Tokorozawa Station from Ikebukuro Station, so it's recommended for anime lovers to visit both places.
https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/en/
Furthermore, the Sayama Hills in Tokorozawa City, where Tokorozawa Sakura Town is located, is said to be the model for the forest in Director Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli film 'My Neighbor Totoro.' While it's a bit away from the Tokyo metropolitan area, it's definitely worth visiting this city that has connections with various works.
When you arrive at Higashi-Tokorozawa Station, you'll at first be greeted by anime illustrations!
The mural illustrations were drawn by Sushio, an animator from Saitama Prefecture known for designing anime characters in 'Kill la Kill' and others.
After getting off at the station, a 10-minute walk will bring you to Tokorozawa Sakura Town.
On your way to Tokorozawa Sakura Town, don't miss the details underfoot. The manhole covers are adorned with illustrations of popular characters.
Don't forget to take a commemorative photo first. The image of the building changes depending on the angle! There is also a public art piece by Yoshitomo Nara in the pond.
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance on the day of your visit. Although it varies depending on the period, a 1-DAY Passport that allows you to enjoy the library and museum from the 1st to the 5th floor is recommended. (※The EJ Anime Museum on the 3rd floor is not included)
First and foremost, the Library & Bookshelf Theater is a must-visit. 'Edit Town - Book Street,' a part of the library, is just like a town of books, with 25,000 books selected based on nine themes crammed.
Books are not allowed to be taken out, but you are free to read them within this area. There are also books that can be enjoyed through pictures, such as collections of ukiyo-e, so take your time to read them.
At the end of Book Street, there is the Bookshelf Theater. The library space surrounded by the giant bookshelf, approximately 8 meters high, is simply breathtaking! You can also enjoy projection mapping shows three times per hour.
At the time our visit, the theme was "Playing with Books," in which the content will be changed regularly. Don't miss the beautiful production where books seem to come to life and move.
As you move on to the further into the Bookshelf Theater, you'll find a library on the staircase, and within Book Street, there's a museum featuring exhibits on pop culture and publications. Enjoy a stroll with the feeling of adventure!
Look, there is Kengo Kuma's autograph!
Next, let's head to the Manga & Light Novel Library. It houses about 37,000 volumes, including light novels, children's books, and comics. Here, too, you can relax and enjoy reading. While most books are in Japanese, some translated books are also available. Don't miss the chance to take a look at the illustrations and figurines of director/animator Mamoru Hosoda!
Creative Direction: Gianfranco Iannuzzi
Created by Gianfranco Iannuzzi - Renato Gatto – Massimiliano Siccardi
KCM Editing: Rino Tagliafierro
Production: Culturespaces Digital ®
On the 3rd floor, the EJ Anime Museum regularly updates its anime-related exhibits. Until May 6, 2024, 'THE Kamen Rider Exhibition' was held.
Check the official website for the latest information and enjoy your visit!
Next, let's visit the shrine on the premises. The shrine building is designed by Kengo Kuma. It combines traditional shrine architecture with a modern design, and it's definitely worth a stop.
Based on the idea that works of art are both offerings to and received from gods, this shrine offers blessings to support creators of literature, art, and entertainment, as well as travel safety.
There will also be a blessing that will bring you a chance to encounter a wonderful work of art!
Before praying at the shrine, you need to first purify your hands at Chozuya (Water ablution pavilion). The Chozuya, shaped like a boat, is sometimes decorated with flowers. If you see it, you're lucky!
The method of worship is simple. Two bows, two claps, and one bow after praying is all it takes.
Inside the shrine building, there are wooden statues of Komainu (guardian dogs) carved in the motif of the Japanese wolfs.
On the ceiling, there is a delicate and beautiful pair of phoenixes, male and female, drawn by Yoshitaka Amano, who is known for his character designs in the popular 'Final Fantasy' series. Looking closely, doesn't it seem like a heart appears between the two? This is the one you will want to gaze at.
Although visitors are not allowed to enter the shrine buildings for normal worship, they may enter for special festivals and when asking someone to pray for them. In the prayer, the Shinto priest of the shrine conveys the wishes of the worshippers to the deity in the ancient manners and the uniquely Japanese Yamato language. In Japan, many people go when they have a special wish or at a turning point in their lives.
If you do not have any religious problems and would like to pray to Japanese gods, why not give it a try?
You can request for the prayer on the day of the event. For a HOW TO, please watch this video (Japanese only).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn7MyUpeuaM
There are many items available only here, such as amulet for deadline, unusual omikuji (fortune slips), and anime-collaborated Shuin (a record of the connection with the deity given as proof of worship at a shrine). Let's check it out!
Among the cafes and restaurants in the Kadokawa Musashino Museum and Tokorozawa Sakura Town, I would recommend Ramen!
'Ramen Walker Kitchen' is a ramen shop operated by the famous Japanese ramen magazine 'Ramen Walker.' You can enjoy ramen menus from various regions of Japan based on the monthly theme, which changes on a weekly basis.
What is interesting is that the owner of the original ramen restaurant comes to the kitchen to cook. You can enjoy the taste of a famous ramen restaurant as it is without traveling a long way. The kitchen is live-streamed on YouTube, so it's is fun just to see what goes on there.
[YouTube Link]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXlfhubd_s0
The theme when we visited the restaurant was 'Love for Tohoku.' The famous Iwate Prefecture restaurant 'Kurofune' set up shop. The exquisite soup, mainly using saury from Sanriku-area, was delicious with the thin noodles well-coated in it
To use the service, you need to purchase a meal ticket. Just select the menu you want to eat at the meal ticket machine right at the entrance and pay. Payment can be made with **cash or card**. Once you have your meal ticket, please hand it to the staff.
For ramen enthusiasts traveling, I recommend the "Photo with the Owner" ticket. What a surprise, you can take a photo with the ramen restaurant owner for free! Please select the "Photo with the Owner" ticket on the bottom right.
It's often difficult to take a photo with the owner at regular ramen restaurant, so don't miss the chance at "Ramen Walker Kitchen." Remember to share your gratitude and let them know how delicious it was!
For dessert, "Musashi Rikyu's" matcha sweets are recommended.
Here, a locally produced type of tea called Sayama tea is used. Sayama tea is a precious tea due to the absolute small amount produced in recent years. As there are only a few stores specializing in Sayama-cha, why not try it here?
The matcha soft serve made from Sayama tea has a rich flavor. You can enjoy a subtle bitterness unique to matcha in the sweetness.
Enjoy your favorite drink, either matcha green tea with no sugar or matcha latte with milk added.
You can purchase a variety of Japanese manga and light novels. Even if you don’t understand Japanese, there are art books that you can enjoy just for the pictures, including popular new manga releases and classics. So, come and pick up some books!
There are author autographs in the space - try to find the autograph of your favorite one!
Furthermore, popular anime goods are also available, including those from 'Bungo Stray Dogs' and others. Why not take popular anime items as well as manga and books as souvenirs from Japan?
At the 'Rock Museum Shop,' you can purchase exclusive goods only available at the Musashino Museum. From chocolates in a box modeled after Kengo Kuma's architecture to goods that are uniquely Japanese, you will find a great selection of gifts to take home with you.
Now you feel like you want to go there?
We hope you will make plans to visit this place where you can immerse yourself in Japanese pop culture all day long.
Address: 3-31-3 Higashitokorozawa Wada, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture (MAP)
Access: About a 10-minute walk from Higashitokorozawa Station on the JR Musashino Line
Official Website: https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/en/
＊Hours & Holidays: Shop & restaurant hours vary, so please check the official website for details.
Kadokawa Musashino Museum
Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
Closed: Tuesdays (Open if it's a national holiday)
Official Website: https://kadcul.com/en
Musashino Reiwa Shrine Office & Amulet Office
Hours:
April to September: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
October to March: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (until 5:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Closed: Tuesdays (Open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
Official Website: https://musashinoreiwa.jp/en/
*The above article is based on a coverage made in April 2024.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
Where is Tokorozawa Sakura Town located?
Tokorozawa Sakura Town is located in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. The nearest station is Higashi-Tokorozawa Station, which is about a 45-minute train ride from Tokyo Station.It's also connected by train from Ikebukuro Station, an area with many anime shops, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach Higashi-Tokorozawa Station from Ikebukuro Station, so it's recommended for anime lovers to visit both places.
https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/en/
Furthermore, the Sayama Hills in Tokorozawa City, where Tokorozawa Sakura Town is located, is said to be the model for the forest in Director Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli film 'My Neighbor Totoro.' While it's a bit away from the Tokyo metropolitan area, it's definitely worth visiting this city that has connections with various works.
When you arrive at Higashi-Tokorozawa Station, you'll at first be greeted by anime illustrations!
The mural illustrations were drawn by Sushio, an animator from Saitama Prefecture known for designing anime characters in 'Kill la Kill' and others.
After getting off at the station, a 10-minute walk will bring you to Tokorozawa Sakura Town.
On your way to Tokorozawa Sakura Town, don't miss the details underfoot. The manhole covers are adorned with illustrations of popular characters.
Stepping into the Kadokawa Musashino Museum, designed and supervised by Kengo Kuma!
The unique facilities on the premises were designed and supervised by Kengo Kuma, a leading architect in Japan. The building of the Kadokawa Musashino Museum resembles a giant rock. It's a facility that combines a library, an art museum, and a museum, where you can enjoy a variety of cultures. It is also known as the location where YOASOBI performed for the 2020 NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen and as a filming location for music videos of Nogizaka46 and Sakurazaka46.Don't forget to take a commemorative photo first. The image of the building changes depending on the angle! There is also a public art piece by Yoshitomo Nara in the pond.
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance on the day of your visit. Although it varies depending on the period, a 1-DAY Passport that allows you to enjoy the library and museum from the 1st to the 5th floor is recommended. (※The EJ Anime Museum on the 3rd floor is not included)
First and foremost, the Library & Bookshelf Theater is a must-visit. 'Edit Town - Book Street,' a part of the library, is just like a town of books, with 25,000 books selected based on nine themes crammed.
Books are not allowed to be taken out, but you are free to read them within this area. There are also books that can be enjoyed through pictures, such as collections of ukiyo-e, so take your time to read them.
At the end of Book Street, there is the Bookshelf Theater. The library space surrounded by the giant bookshelf, approximately 8 meters high, is simply breathtaking! You can also enjoy projection mapping shows three times per hour.
At the time our visit, the theme was "Playing with Books," in which the content will be changed regularly. Don't miss the beautiful production where books seem to come to life and move.
As you move on to the further into the Bookshelf Theater, you'll find a library on the staircase, and within Book Street, there's a museum featuring exhibits on pop culture and publications. Enjoy a stroll with the feeling of adventure!
Look, there is Kengo Kuma's autograph!
Next, let's head to the Manga & Light Novel Library. It houses about 37,000 volumes, including light novels, children's books, and comics. Here, too, you can relax and enjoy reading. While most books are in Japanese, some translated books are also available. Don't miss the chance to take a look at the illustrations and figurines of director/animator Mamoru Hosoda!
There is also an art museum where you can enjoy art.
Various exhibitions are held in the Grand Gallery on the first floor. Until May 31, 2024, the experiential digital art exhibition "Salvador Dali - Endless Enigma" was on.
Creative Direction: Gianfranco Iannuzzi
Created by Gianfranco Iannuzzi - Renato Gatto – Massimiliano Siccardi
KCM Editing: Rino Tagliafierro
Production: Culturespaces Digital ®
On the 3rd floor, the EJ Anime Museum regularly updates its anime-related exhibits. Until May 6, 2024, 'THE Kamen Rider Exhibition' was held.
Check the official website for the latest information and enjoy your visit!
A must-see for manga fans! Visit Musashino Reiwa Jinja, the shrine where you can pray for travel safety.
Next, let's visit the shrine on the premises. The shrine building is designed by Kengo Kuma. It combines traditional shrine architecture with a modern design, and it's definitely worth a stop.
Based on the idea that works of art are both offerings to and received from gods, this shrine offers blessings to support creators of literature, art, and entertainment, as well as travel safety.
There will also be a blessing that will bring you a chance to encounter a wonderful work of art!
Before praying at the shrine, you need to first purify your hands at Chozuya (Water ablution pavilion). The Chozuya, shaped like a boat, is sometimes decorated with flowers. If you see it, you're lucky!
The method of worship is simple. Two bows, two claps, and one bow after praying is all it takes.
Inside the shrine building, there are wooden statues of Komainu (guardian dogs) carved in the motif of the Japanese wolfs.
On the ceiling, there is a delicate and beautiful pair of phoenixes, male and female, drawn by Yoshitaka Amano, who is known for his character designs in the popular 'Final Fantasy' series. Looking closely, doesn't it seem like a heart appears between the two? This is the one you will want to gaze at.
Although visitors are not allowed to enter the shrine buildings for normal worship, they may enter for special festivals and when asking someone to pray for them. In the prayer, the Shinto priest of the shrine conveys the wishes of the worshippers to the deity in the ancient manners and the uniquely Japanese Yamato language. In Japan, many people go when they have a special wish or at a turning point in their lives.
If you do not have any religious problems and would like to pray to Japanese gods, why not give it a try?
You can request for the prayer on the day of the event. For a HOW TO, please watch this video (Japanese only).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn7MyUpeuaM
There are many items available only here, such as amulet for deadline, unusual omikuji (fortune slips), and anime-collaborated Shuin (a record of the connection with the deity given as proof of worship at a shrine). Let's check it out!
Recommended gourmet: you can enjoy ramen from all over Japan and precious matcha!
When you're hungry, enjoy the gourmet food available within the facility. The architecture of Tokorozawa Sakura Town was also designed by Kengo Kuma. The design, reminiscent of interlocking fences, offers an atmosphere different from that of the Kadokawa Musashino Museum.Among the cafes and restaurants in the Kadokawa Musashino Museum and Tokorozawa Sakura Town, I would recommend Ramen!
'Ramen Walker Kitchen' is a ramen shop operated by the famous Japanese ramen magazine 'Ramen Walker.' You can enjoy ramen menus from various regions of Japan based on the monthly theme, which changes on a weekly basis.
What is interesting is that the owner of the original ramen restaurant comes to the kitchen to cook. You can enjoy the taste of a famous ramen restaurant as it is without traveling a long way. The kitchen is live-streamed on YouTube, so it's is fun just to see what goes on there.
[YouTube Link]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXlfhubd_s0
The theme when we visited the restaurant was 'Love for Tohoku.' The famous Iwate Prefecture restaurant 'Kurofune' set up shop. The exquisite soup, mainly using saury from Sanriku-area, was delicious with the thin noodles well-coated in it
To use the service, you need to purchase a meal ticket. Just select the menu you want to eat at the meal ticket machine right at the entrance and pay. Payment can be made with **cash or card**. Once you have your meal ticket, please hand it to the staff.
For ramen enthusiasts traveling, I recommend the "Photo with the Owner" ticket. What a surprise, you can take a photo with the ramen restaurant owner for free! Please select the "Photo with the Owner" ticket on the bottom right.
It's often difficult to take a photo with the owner at regular ramen restaurant, so don't miss the chance at "Ramen Walker Kitchen." Remember to share your gratitude and let them know how delicious it was!
For dessert, "Musashi Rikyu's" matcha sweets are recommended.
Here, a locally produced type of tea called Sayama tea is used. Sayama tea is a precious tea due to the absolute small amount produced in recent years. As there are only a few stores specializing in Sayama-cha, why not try it here?
The matcha soft serve made from Sayama tea has a rich flavor. You can enjoy a subtle bitterness unique to matcha in the sweetness.
Enjoy your favorite drink, either matcha green tea with no sugar or matcha latte with milk added.
Let's take some anime items and original goods of Kengo Kuma architecture as souvenirs!
The ‘DA VINCI STORE’ is a bookstore with the concept of discovery and association.
You can purchase a variety of Japanese manga and light novels. Even if you don’t understand Japanese, there are art books that you can enjoy just for the pictures, including popular new manga releases and classics. So, come and pick up some books!
There are author autographs in the space - try to find the autograph of your favorite one!
Furthermore, popular anime goods are also available, including those from 'Bungo Stray Dogs' and others. Why not take popular anime items as well as manga and books as souvenirs from Japan?
At the 'Rock Museum Shop,' you can purchase exclusive goods only available at the Musashino Museum. From chocolates in a box modeled after Kengo Kuma's architecture to goods that are uniquely Japanese, you will find a great selection of gifts to take home with you.
Now you feel like you want to go there?
We hope you will make plans to visit this place where you can immerse yourself in Japanese pop culture all day long.
Information
Tokorozawa Sakura TownAddress: 3-31-3 Higashitokorozawa Wada, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture (MAP)
Access: About a 10-minute walk from Higashitokorozawa Station on the JR Musashino Line
Official Website: https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/en/
＊Hours & Holidays: Shop & restaurant hours vary, so please check the official website for details.
Kadokawa Musashino Museum
Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
Closed: Tuesdays (Open if it's a national holiday)
Official Website: https://kadcul.com/en
Musashino Reiwa Shrine Office & Amulet Office
Hours:
April to September: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
October to March: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (until 5:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Closed: Tuesdays (Open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
Official Website: https://musashinoreiwa.jp/en/
*The above article is based on a coverage made in April 2024.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
Liked this story? Like DiGJAPAN!
on Facebook for daily updates!
THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 07 31,2024 Author：DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team
NEW COMMENT | 0 COMMENTS
Open a DiGJAPAN!
account to comment.
Open a DiGJAPAN! Account