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Gotokuji

Sightseeing GuideMore Side Trips
from Shinjuku

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OH 10

Gotokuji

Get adventurous and go on an exploration outside of the central Shinjuku area. There are lots of great places along the Odakyu Lines that locals love but that still haven't been much discovered. For example, the 380-year-old temple Gotokuji, which is overrun with beckoning cats, can be reached with a 15-minute ride from Shinjuku followed by a 10-minute walk, and a museum dedicated to Fujiko・F・Fujio, the collaborative name of the manga artists behind the world-famous "Doraemon," is about 20 minutes from Shinjuku. And if you go just a bit further, you can eat delectable fresh seafood at Odawara Fishing Port.

OH 10

Gotokuji

15 minutes from Shinjuku on the Local train

Calling all cat lovers to Gotokuji!

Gotokuji is said to be the birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko (beckoning cat). The temple is filled with these adorable figurines and a giant maneki-neko even greets people as they come out of the ticket gate. The business district in town is also filled with the cats, placed to invite passers-by into their stores. The air here is filled with an atmosphere of times gone by. Take a stroll through town with the cats and find some great local products and fun places to visit!

  • Gotokuji
    Gotokuji
    According to a legend, the auspicious temple Gotokuji is where the custom of the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) got started. In the seventeenth century, Ii Naotaka, the second lord of the Hikone Domain, was passing by the gate to the temple grounds when a pet cat waved at him to come closer. No sooner had he come to the gate than the skies broke out in thunder and lightning, and the lord was saved from the torrential rain by the overhang of the gate. The beckoning cat has since become a symbol of good fortune and a way to draw people into stores. And Gotokuji, with its beckoning cats, has become a well-known place to visit.
  • Setagaya Hachiman-gu shrine
    Setagaya Hachiman-gu shrine
    Every year, a sumo tournament is held here. It is traditionally said that the wrestling bouts determine whether the next year would bring a bountiful harvest or famine.
  • Gotokuji Shopping District
    Gotokuji Shopping District
    To this day, the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) is the symbol of this town. You will find them around the station, decorating storefronts and even street signs. And they make you feel welcome, true to their beckoning nature. The area has become so well known that people from abroad also often visit.
OH 07

Shimo-Kitazawa

7 minutes from Shinjuku on the Rapid Express train

Shimo-Kitazawa, home to Tokyo’s subcultures

This is a popular area filled with hip stores selling all sorts of goods, small theaters, and clubs offering live music. Shimo-Kitazawa is well known for being deep at the heart of music and other subculture trends. Make sure to check out the back streets, too, which are lined with used clothing stores selling high-quality fashion and restaurants that are all the rage.

  • Shimo-Kitazawa Shopping District
    Shimo-Kitazawa Shopping District
    This shopping district has many shops with an original flair. Many of them are an important part of the fabric of life here, and there are also many temples in the area. An aspect of the area that should not be overlooked is the new cafés that have appeared and the so-called shutter gallery made up of artistic murals decorating storefront shutters. The district association pays for the painting supplies and training, and the youth association puts on the paint base so that art students and designers can volunteer to make works of art as a way to practice their skills.
  • Used Clothes and Vintage Shops
    Used Clothes and Vintage Shops
    Shimo-Kitazawa is one of the best used clothing districts in Japan, and the vintage shops are too numerous to mention. Whether it’s low prices or something you can’t find anywhere else, there’s a shop for every taste in fashion. Enjoy shopping while out for a stroll!
  • Honda Theater
    Honda Theater
    The Honda Theater is home to a famous troupe and actors. Said to be one of the characteristic theaters of Shimo-Kitazawa, the Honda Theater opened in 1982 and its presence is one of the reasons the area is known as “Theater Town.” An exhibition area for lithography is located in the underground parking area. Known as “Hoshi no Tegata,” it features the handprints and autographs of entertainers.http://www.honda-geki.com/ (Japanese)
  • Suzunari Playhouse
    Suzunari Playhouse
    This historical playhouse retains its atmosphere of the Showa era, which occupied most of the twentieth century. The theater is located in Shimo-Kitazawa, the center of Tokyo’s “Theater Town,” and has 230 seats. Among the variety of playhouses large and small in Shimo-Kitazawa, some have seats so close to the stage, you can hear the breathing of the actors. And when walking in the area, you may very well catch glimpses of actors walking on the streets along with everyone else.http://www.honda-geki.com/suzunari2.html (Japanese)
  • Kitazawa Hachiman-jinja shrine
    Kitazawa Hachiman-jinja shrine
    This shrine is located about a 15-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station. It was constructed to house a tutelary deity that, in order to protect the northern end of Setagaya, underwent spiritual division and transfer by the Kira clan that ruled the area.

    A community institution beloved by the locals, the shrine has giant koi windsocks flying on the grounds. Their well-known Reitaisai festival is held on the first weekend of September each year. The festival program includes a variety of events such as the wadaiko (Japanese drum), ohayashi (traditional music ensemble), Edo kagura (ritualistic dancing and singing), classical gagaku music and miko dancing.
  • The Awa Odori Dance of Shimo-Kitazawa
    The Awa Odori Dance of Shimo-Kitazawa
    When the Obon season of August comes around each year, awa odori dancing breaks out at the Shimo-Kitazawa Ichiban-gai shopping district at the North Exit of Shimo-Kitazawa Station.
OH 18

Noborito

17 minutes from Shinjuku on the Rapid Express train

Enjoy plentiful nature and cultural experiences

Cultural institutions that are the pride of Japan to the world are concentrated in this corner of Kawasaki that still retains must nature. Famous manga artist Fujiko・F・Fujio lived here for many years, and artist Okamoto Taro was born here. Experience world-class culture in museums with vast collections of works by these globally famous artists. They are located in Ikuta Ryokuchi Park that is also home to a natural history museum, institutions with cultural assets and much more. Cultural pop monuments greet visitors at the station and along the way to the park.

  • Fujiko・F・Fujio Museum in Kawasaki City
    Fujiko・F・Fujio Museum in Kawasaki City
    Works by Fujiko・F・Fujio, the world-famous creator of “Doraemon,” are on display here. Also enjoy the shops and cafés with creations worthy of such works.http://fujiko-museum.com/english/
  • Japan Open-air Folk House Museum of Kawasaki
    Japan Open-air Folk House Museum of Kawasaki
    This open-air museum is located within the pleasant boundaries of Ikuta Ryokuchi Park. There are currently 22 buildings that have been relocated here, including old folk houses, a kabuki stage and a water mill. Although most are folk houses from 2 or 3 hundred years ago, a special highlight is four in the gassho architectural style, each with distinctive features. Along the garden paths are Jizo (Kshitigarbha) bodhisattva statues, Bato-Kanon (Hayagriva) signposts and other such stonework. Such features help create an atmosphere of earlier centuries for the garden overall and you may just forget that you are in the modern world! http://english.nihonminkaen.jp/
  • Dentou-Kougeikan (Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop) – West Gate of the Japan Open-air Folk House Museum
    Dentou-Kougeikan (Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop) – West Gate of the Japan Open-air Folk House Museum
    Experience traditional aizome (indigo dyeing) for yourself (a fee applies).
    Advance reservations are recommended. Telephone number: 044-900-1101 http://english.nihonminkaen.jp/visual_visit/dentou-kougeikan/
  • Kawasaki Municipal Science Museum
    Kawasaki Municipal Science Museum
    Located in Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, this museum has lots of exhibits focusing on the theme of nature in Kawasaki. And don’t miss the popular planetarium with its world-class projection system! If you want to go on the weekend, make sure you arrive early as the tickets often sell out before noon.
    Pamphlet
  • Taro Okamoto Museum of Art
    Taro Okamoto Museum of Art
    This museum has 1,779 pieces in its collection that are on display. They were donated to Kawasaki City by Okamoto Taro, a renowned artist. The museum creates a new exhibit four times a year themed on Okamoto Taro. http://www.taro-okamoto.or.jp/en/
OH 06

Odakyu Tama Center

35 minutes from Shinjuku on the Rapid Express train

Meet Hello Kitty!

Located at the end of a stylish brick-laid walkway, the Tama Center building is so colorful, it seems to be from a different country. Fluttering flags and information boards are decorated with cute pop culture characters. The excitement you get just from walking through town, that’s Tama Center. A variety of facilities have been brought together here for fun, including Sanrio Puroland, where you can meet Hello Kitty and other familiar characters, and venues for exploring art and nature. And the beautiful lights that decorate the center each winter are a popular mainstay of the season.

  • Sanrio Puroland
    Sanrio Puroland
    Kids and adults alike will be thrilled watching the show in this theme park with popular Sanrio characters, including the internationally famous Hello Kitty. Located indoors, the theme park can be enjoyed without worries about the weather. And don’t forget to stop by the gift shop where you can find Sanrio goods not available anywhere else, and the restaurant where you can eat while enjoying the show. https://en.puroland.jp/
  • Tama Central Park
    Tama Central Park
    The flowers that bloom through each season of the year are a point of pride of this park, and it is the perfect way to spent a leisurely day. In summer, kids run about and play on the grassy lawn around the fountain.
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeological Center
    Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeological Center
    Take a look at the earthenware and types of clothing people wore in ancient Japan. The exhibition space includes special exhibits designed each year and a permanent collections area. One of the features that delights adults and children alike is the Jomon Village, a re-creation of what a Tama Hills settlement might have been like during the Jomon period. https://www.tef.or.jp/maibun/en_jomon.jsp
  • Tama Center Illumination
    Tama Center Illumination
    Each winter, including during the Christmas season, Parthenon Boulevard is lit up with some 400,000 lights from Tama Center Station to Tama Central Park. The splendid decorations are a fixture as one of the great event events near Tama Center Station.
OH 47

odawara

60 minutes from Shinjuku on the Romancecar

A Historical Castle Town

After flourishing as a castle town during the Sengoku (Warring States) period, Odawara was one of the most prominent shukuba (post towns) on the Tokaido, a major thoroughfare for Eastern Japan. The traffic that came through added to the development of local traditions and culture. Odawara Castle radiates in beautiful white as a symbol of the town. The many sites where you can get a sense of the history include historical ruins and shops that have been in business for centuries. If you go a little further out, you can visit Odawara Fishing Port, where you can find restaurants serving fresh fish and gift shops.

  • Odawara Castle
    Odawara Castle
    The most representative historical site of the area, this castle was said to be impregnable. You can even go inside and climb up to the main keep. http://www.city.odawara.kanagawa.jp/kanko/odawaracastle/ (Japanese)
  • Odawara Fishing Port
    Odawara Fishing Port
    A 1-minute walk from JR Hayakawa Station, one station away from Odawara Station, this town has the hustle and bustle of a busy fishing port early in the morning. There are many places where you can find fresh fish to eat!
  • Odawara Hojo Godai Festival
    Odawara Hojo Godai Festival
    Held on May 3, this is the largest Hojo Godai Festival in Odawara. Some 1,700 people in total participate in this parade, including those in the firearm corps, the school wind instrument band, baton team and more. http://www.odawara-kankou.com/houjyou/ (Japanese)

Event Calendar

The Rose Garden at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park – Public Opening

The Rose Garden at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park – Public Opening

When you emerge from the Tama Hills woods, the secret Rose Garden at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park will suddenly come into view. The garden boasts 4,700 rosebushes in 530 different varieties. Enjoy the roses of the season, shining in the soft sunlight. The Rose Garden can be visited only during the spring and autumn openings.

  • Address
    The Rose Garden at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park
  • Duration
    Mid-May, late October (Spring: May 10–27, autumn: planned for late October)
  • URL
Isehara Tourism Dohkan Festival

Isehara Tourism Dohkan Festival

The largest event in Isehara. This festival is named for OHTA Dohkan, who is known as the architect of Edo Castle and ended his life in Isehara during the Sengoku Period.

  • Address
    Area surrounding Isehara Station on the Odakyu Line
  • Duration
    Mid-October
  • URL
Yomiuri Land Jewellumination

Yomiuri Land Jewellumination

The word “Jewellumination” is a blend of “jewel” and “illumination.” It is one of the largest light displays in Tokyo with 5.5 million LED lights.

Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar

Odakyu Limited ExpressRomancecar

  • Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar
  • Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar

Romancecar is Odakyu's limited express train; all seats must be reserved. It links Shinjuku with the popular holiday spots of Hakone, Enoshima and Kamakura.

  • Shinjuku

    From

    Shinjuku

  • Odawara

    to

    Odawara

60 minutes

Browse vacant seats for Limited Express Romancecar

e-Romancecar

e-Romancecar

Online Purchase System

Boarding Date

Boarding On

22

54

Departure

Shinjuku

Arrival

Hakone-Yumoto

Adults(12 and older)

1

Children(6 to 11)

0

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