Experience the seasons, be entertained, and learn about the mysteries of the Earth as well as disaster prevention on this trip to fascinating Tachikawa and Kokubunji

This is the place to go for great photos!　Go in search of the most spectacular seasonal views in one of the largest parks in Japan!

Straddling the border between Tachikawa and Akishima in western Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park is a national government park home to abundant greenery whose area totals some 180 hectares, or 39 times the size of Tokyo Dome! The park is divided into five zones. Only the Green Cultural Zone, located near JR Tachikawa Station and the Tama Monorail, is free. The other four zones require paid admission.
Pictured in the photo is the Tulip Garden. The colorful tulip flowers are visible from March to mid-April. This garden is located in the Open Field Zone, an area requiring paid admission.

If you enter through the Tachikawa Gate closest to JR Tachikawa Station, you will see a canal extend out before you. Also featuring large and small fountains, the 200-meter-long waterway is flanked by total of 106 ginkgo trees on both sides. In autumn, the golden color of the leaves is reflected in the water, creating an exotic view.

At the Waterfowl Lake near the Nishi Tachikawa Gate, see the blue sky and greenery reflected on the surface of the water and watch the waterfowl play. We also recommend renting a rowboat or pedal boat and viewing the luscious green trees from the water.

The Open Field Zone, located in the center of the park, features a lawn and large playground equipment where visitors can enjoy various leisure activities. In spring, visitors can enjoy the combination of cherry blossoms and rapeseed blossoms in the flower gardens at the Open Field

Pictured in the photo is one of the Open Field flower gardens. The 200,000 baby blue eyes are at their best in April and May. The blue carpet-like view is breathtaking.
*The locations of the flower gardens change from year to year.

The Forest Zone, located in the northernmost part of the park, is home to a Japanese-style garden with a pond, perfect for taking a stroll around. Here, you can experience scenery brimming with the atmosphere of ancient Japan. We recommend trying the tea ceremony service at Kanfuutei in the garden. Especially around November, this is a great spot for taking a break while admiring the changing colors of the maple trees.

The Gingko Tree Avenue in the Showa Kinen Park offers a chance to see wonderful autumn scenery. In November, about 100 ginkgo trees turn yellow; it feels like walking through a golden tunnel.

In addition to renting bicycles at the park's Rental Bicycle Center, the Park Train (400 yen per ride) is available for a tour round the park. Use this to make getting to your destination in the park even quicker.

Have fun learning and acquire important knowledge and the ability to take action in the event of a disaster.

This is a hands-on learning facility where visitors can enjoy learning about disaster prevention in preparation for earthquakes, fires, and other sudden disasters. The facility has seven areas, including an Earthquake Experience Room and a Rescue Area, allowing visitors to experience how to deal with disasters in a realistic manner. At the reception desk, you will first be asked to select four experiences of your choice (three on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, etc.). Staff will guide you around the center based on your choices.

In the VR Disaster Prevention Experience Area, visitors can experience simulations of earthquakes, fires, and wind and flood damage using popular virtual reality (VR) technology. Our hotel staff members scream as their chairs shake while watching a video of approaching fire.

In the Earthquake Experience Room, visitors will listen to a lecture beforehand on things to be careful of in the event of an earthquake. The tremors of a seismic intensity 7 earthquake left our staff clinging to the legs of the table as best they could! It is important not to panic during an actual earthquake. Instead, we must take action such as turning off the stove and turning off the breakers.

The Smoke Experience Room allows visitors to experience the characteristics and terrifying qualities of smoke. When a fire breaks out in a building, the surrounding area is immediately enveloped in smoke, reducing visibility to zero. Place a handkerchief over your mouth and stay low to find an emergency exit.

Even if you have a fire extinguisher ready at home or at work, many of you have probably never actually used one. In the Firefighting Area, visitors can experience the correct way to fight fires in the firefighting training in front of videos of fires projected on a screen.

Learn about disaster prevention by playing games in the Free Experience Area.

Anyone can learn as they play at the Kids' Disaster Prevention Experience Plaza. Even young children who may be afraid of realistic experiences can have fun learning through games and quizzes.

The game You are a Legendary Firefighter is very popular with the children who visit. Aim and shoot at the flames that appear in the video!

Save the City! Kids’ Firefighting allows you to register your own face, letting your face appear on the emergency personnel and firefighters on the monitor. Become a small firefighter and protect the city of Tachikawa.

In the Clear the Disaster Prevention Mission Area, participants are asked to choose the correct card in response to quizzes written on mission cards about natural disasters, fires, and more. Can you answer them all correctly?

Make sure to also check out the store!　There are four types of pin badges featuring an Edo Fire Brigade motif, including a hanten jacket, a matoi flag, and firefighting nozzle, each 700 yen. The Petit LED Light (290 yen) is a bright LED light that glows when the body is pressed.

At the Tachikawa Disaster Prevention Education Center, visitors can learn what to do in order to protect themselves in the event of a disaster, as well as learn the importance of daily awareness and preparation. Some experience areas have age and height restrictions, so visitors with children are recommended to check the website before visiting.

Experience life in the polar regions, where the mysteries of the Earth await

The National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) has observation bases in Antarctica and the Artic and conducts research and observations related to the polar regions. The Polar Science Museum showcases the results of that research and the activities conducted by the NIPR in an easy-to-understand manner.

The main attraction is the Antarctic ice brought back by an observation team. Antarctic icebergs are formed when snow that falls on the Antarctic continent accumulates and compacts over a long period of time. This ice contains atmospheric elements and matter from tens of thousands of years ago. When the hotel staff touched it, they heard a small crackling sound.

The staff posed with a huge polar bear. It looks like it could come to life at any moment!

In the This Is Syowa Station section, a diorama of the Syowa Station and live video introduce visitors to life at the station.

On display in the gallery is the winter gear used by the first observation team (rear left) as well as the current winter gear (front right).

The KD604 snow vehicle was developed for travel to the South Pole. In 1968–1969, the Ninth Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) successfully traveled from the Syowa Station to the South Pole and back, a distance of approximately 5,200 km, using this vehicle.

The black body of the vehicle was designed to easily absorb solar heat so that the interior could be kept warm even in extremely cold environments. This vehicle is equipped with cots, cooking facilities, and communication equipment, making it fit to cover extended distances.

The Rocks & Meteorites section displays actual rocks and meteorites collected by observation teams and researchers. Pictured in the photo is a rare Martian meteorite, nakhlite.

Antarctic moss grows through photosynthesis during the summer, which lasts only a month or two. The moss is otherwise dormant, growing no more than 5 mm per year. Visitors can use a microscope to observe moss growth rings.

The four-meter-diameter domed screen in the TACHIHI Aurora Theater is a spot where visitors can relax while viewing images of the auroras taken at the North and South Poles. Experience the polar regions for yourself.

On Thursdays and Saturdays, exhibit tours are held with individuals with experience in polar observation and research. Anyone is welcome to join. These tours are also great for school projects during summer vacation.

Enjoy Kawaii culture, surrounded by Sanrio characters, in comfort come rain or shine

Located in the Tama area about a 30-minute drive from JR Tachikawa Station and JR Kokubunji Station, Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park where everyone from children to adults can meet Sanrio characters, loved by people of all ages all over the world.

The facility is a four-story building home to a fantastic world built around the giant Wisdom Tree. With the map and guide in hand, the hotel staff first take a look at the attractions and shows.

One of the most popular attractions is the park ride Sanrio Character Boat Ride. Going out on a boat, visitors can see Sanrio characters all having fun together making confections, practicing circus acts, and getting ready for a party.

The Wisdom Tree Stage, located in the center of the Puro Village on the first floor, presents fun shows featuring characters and dancers.
A variety of musicals and shows are held at Sanrio Puroland, so we recommend checking the schedule before your visit.

You can even take a photo with Lady Kitty!

At the Lady Kitty House, visitors can experience Lady Kitty's elegant lifestyle through a bedroom surrounded by confections, a dress tower, and a tea room. At the end of the attraction, the adored Lady Kitty will be there to greet you!

The Lady Kitty House Shop next door has a wide selection of Hello Kitty merchandise. Enjoy coordinating your Hello Kitty look with matching headbands, accessories, phone straps, and more. Get in the strawberry carriage for a commemorative photo!

The Character Food Court on the first floor of Sanrio Town is a spot where visitors can enjoy curry and ramen featuring Sanrio character design motifs. The Classic! Hello Kitty Soy Sauce Ramen for 1,400 yen (tax included) is so cute!
There are five restaurants in the theme park. They include the CINNAMOROLL Dream Café, where visitors can enjoy menu options featuring design motifs based on Cinnamoroll's friends, and Restaurant Yakata, where visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes buffet-style.

A plush purse (Cinnamon) available for 2,640 yen (tax included)

Visit the Entrance Shop if you are looking for souvenirs. A wide variety of merchandise such as stationery, sundries, toys, and more are available. There are even cute plush purses and rolled cookies that can only be purchased here.
Sanrio Puroland is an all-indoor facility, so it can be enjoyed comfortably anytime, even on rainy or extremely hot days. Kids and adults alike can fully enjoy the extraordinary experience of being surrounded by Kawaii culture all day long.

*Merchandise and food menu items may be out of stock or sold out without notice.

©️2025 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN Copyright Sanrio Co., Ltd.

Gardens that make use of the wildflowers and spring water from the Musashino area

The Tonogayato Gardens, located a two-minute walk from JR Kokubunji Station, are home to a garden for strolling that skillfully utilizes a valley formed on the cliffs of the Musashino terraces known as the Kokubunji Cliff line. The 20,000 m2 site, full of ups and downs, allows visitors to experience the rich natural environment of Musashino.

Originally a villa built in the Taisho era, it became the property of Iwasaki Hikoyata of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu in 1929, who built the Koyo-tei teahouse and a garden for strolling. In the 1960s, plans to develop the surrounding area arose, so the Tokyo Metropolitan Government took ownership, developed the garden, and opened it to the public through paid admission.

Upon entering the gardens, a Western-style garden with a large lawn can be seen on the left. The luscious greens of the lawn and trees are dazzlingly beautiful! In the past, garden parties were held here with distinguished guests.

At the far end of the park is a wisteria trellis that dates back to when the Iwasaki family owned the garden. The wisterias bloom in late April each year. The clusters of light purple flowers stand out among the fresh greenery.

The slope of the cliff line is covered with a magnificent moso bamboo grove, and visitors can follow a path that continues along it.

The Jiro Benten Ike is a pond that is filled with cool water from one of the top 57 springs in Tokyo.

This pond was created using spring water from the Kokubunji Cliff line. At the source, 37 liters of spring water per minute gush forth and flow down a staircase-like waterfall into the pond.

Because the park utilizes the natural terrain, visitors will walk along uneven walking paths and stepping stones. If you get tired, take a break on a bench in the shade of a tree.

Up on a hill is the Koyo-tei, a teahouse in the sukiya-zukuri style that becomes a great spot in autumn for viewing the Jiro Benten Ike and the Japanese maple trees.

The Tonogayato Gardens allow visitors to experience the dynamic nature of Musashino, yet are found close to a railway station. From mid-March to early April, you can also see clusters of Japanese fawn lilies and rare flowers such as soft windflowers.

Go in search of the secrets behind the Shinkansen train car located in the middle of a residential neighborhood!

The eye-catching blue and white Class 951 train sits at the Hikari Plaza site in Kokubunji. Produced as an experimental railway car in 1969, it was transferred from the Railway Technical Research Institute to Kokubunji free of charge in 1992. The body, now used as the Shinkansen Museum, and is open to the public.

In February 1972, this Class 951 railway car achieved the world's fastest speed record for a train at the time, reaching 286 km/h on the inbound Sanyo Shinkansen line between Nishi-Akashi and Himeji before it opened. This train made significant contributions to the improvement of railway performance, helping the current Shinkansen become what it is today. Inside the train, panels and models introduce the history of the Shinkansen's development, and there is a commemorative relief for the highest speed achieved, as well as ticket punches and other items of note.

The driver's seat is located at the front of the car, and the gauges and levers remain as they were when the train was built.

All of the different switches work, too, so visitors can experience what it was like as a driver by manipulating the brakes and switches.

The train also has unreserved and green car seats in place. Visitors can sit in the seats and watch videos of Shinkansen trains running in various regions of Japan on the monitor found in front of them.

There is a railroad exhibition room on the first floor of Hikari Plaza. The exhibition covers new and old trains alike, including a section devoted to maglev trains.

A diorama with HO scale model trains was also on display. Pressing the buttons allows visitors to move the various trains.

Research and development of the Tokaido Shinkansen was once conducted at the nearby Railway Technical Research Institute. There, the Hikari was born. That is why the name of the town where the Shinkansen Museum is located was changed to Hikari-cho. Come visit this area, home of the Shinkansen, and learn about the history and technology behind the train’s development.

Savor a soup made in three stages and zundare noodles in this dimly lit fantasy world

This ramen shop is always a popular spot despite the fierce ramen competition in the area around Tachikawa Station. Enjoy a bowl of noodles in a fantastic space inspired by the world of “The Saint of Mt. Koya,” the masterpiece by the renowned Meiji era writer and novelist Kyoka Izumi.
Pictured in the photo is the popular Goku Shoyu Ramen with Wontons and Soft-Boiled Marinated Egg for 1,650 yen.

The interior of the shop is dim, and the lights at the counter make just the ramen noodles stand out in the darkness.

The noodles for the Goku Shoyu Ramen are hand-kneaded noodles made of 100% Hokkaido wheat. Zundare noodles are firm yet soft, and are a perfect match for the soup, made in three stages from carefully selected ingredients! Enjoy two types of chashu pork—shoulder loin cooked at low temperature, and hang-roasted pork belly.

The Gokkei Paitan Ramen with Soft-Boiled Marinated Egg for 1,450 yen features a blend of 100% chicken broth, a concentrated seafood salt-based sauce, and a secret soy sauce-based sauce. The creamy soup goes well with the thin noodles. The Curry Rice and Grilled Rice sets for 500 yen each are also popular choices.

If you really wish to savor the soft, chewy noodles, we recommend the Vegetable Tsukemen for 1,850 yen. The dipping soup is also full of cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, and other vegetables.

Located a five-minute walk from the south exit of JR Tachikawa Station, this ramen shop has the quaint charm of a traditional Japanese home. Enjoy a space straight out of a novel and ramen noodles prepared with the utmost care.

Healthy curries combining seasonal ingredients and spices

This coconut curry specialty shop is located a 5-minute walk from JR Kokubunji Station. Each dish is cooked to order, with spices added, and finished with a special wheat-free gravy.
The popular Meat Miso Keema Special Curry (1,500 yen) comes with a meat miso keema base, topped with seared pork, natto, bonito flakes, green onions, and grilled cheese. The light, coconut-based curry and the Japanese ingredients make for a surprisingly delightful combination.

The Fluffy Egg Chicken Curry (990 yen) is made with melt-in-your mouth chicken, cabbage, bamboo shoots, and fluffy eggs. Choose how much rice and roux you want with all menu items. The spiciness can also be adjusted on a scale from 1 to 7 in 0.5 increments.

There are 15 additional toppings available, including chicken, pork belly, tomato, kikurage mushroom, and quail egg, so feel free to customize your curry exactly how you want it.

The eye-catching, hand-drawn illustrations inside the shop make their presence felt in the Asian-style interior.

Special limited menu items such as Rendang and Green Curry are also available depending on the day. Please see CCKARI’s official social media accounts (X, Instagram, etc.) before visiting.

*See @cckarimatsu on X for the latest information, including limited menu items!

The jiggly pancakes made with rich Happy Eggs are a must-try!

This stylish cafe is located on the second and third floors of a building near JR Kokubunji Station. This restaurant has a farm it operates directly in Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture. Enjoy menu items using Happy Eggs produced by chickens raised on this completely free-range farm.
The ever-popular No. 1 Fluffy Brûlée Pancakes (1,680 yen) are thick and topped with custard and caramelized cane sugar. A bittersweet caramel sauce is then poured over the top.

Another signature item on the menu is the Fluffy Roasted Marshmallow Pancakes (1,680 yen). The roasted and melted marshmallows go perfectly with the savory flavor of the salted butter and caramel sauce.

Take a look at these cute, round glasses. They are the Iced Cafe Latte (left, 680 yen) and the Honey Lemon Tea (right, 640 yen).

The pancakes take 10 to 15 minutes to cook from the time they are ordered. One bite of these fluffy pancakes will convince you that it was worth the wait!

This is a casual space with wood-grain tables and chairs featuring pop art patterns.

There are private rooms and tatami rooms available on the third floor, so groups and guests with children can dine without worry.
There are six types of omelette rice available, starting at 1,250 yen. The Omelette Pancake Set, which includes an omelette rice and a quarter-sized pancake, is also a popular option. Enjoy a happy moment while savoring these special egg-based dishes.

Reopened in 2025, this hotel offers guest rooms perfect for stays over consecutive nights

JR-East Japan Hotel Mets Tachikawa, located next to JR Tachikawa Station, reopened in February 2025. The reception desk, lobby, and other common areas, as well as all guest rooms have been renovated. The new residential-style guest rooms are perfect for stays over consecutive nights!

The hotel entrance is located near the South Gate of JR Tachikawa Station, offering guests peace of mind even on rainy days. The fourth floor reception desk is equipped with self check-in terminals, allowing you to search for your reservation and payment at your own pace.

After checking in, visit the Amenity Station to choose your favorite amenities. There are seven types of bath salts alone; relax with the scent of your choice. Skin care products, teas, and hair elastics are also available.

The interior of the hotel was completely redesigned during the renovation. Inspired by the nature found at the Showa Kinen Park, including the ginkgo trees and rapeseed blossoms, the interior design of the hotel allows guests to experience the nature of Tachikawa throughout their stay. The photo shows the elevator lobby.

Residential-style rooms are recommended for stays over consecutive nights

There are 25 newly designed residential-style guest rooms in total, available in four types: single, double, twin, and universal. The twin rooms feature two 120 cm-wide Simmons beds and two types of pillows— our Original Pillow and our Pipe & Pillow—so you can get a good night’s sleep with the pillow that fits you best.

The best feature of our residential-style guest rooms is that each comes equipped with a refrigerator-freezer, a microwave oven, and an air purifier. It is rare for a hotel to offer microwave ovens in guest rooms. This is a great convenience when staying over consecutive nights.

Note the pattern in the carpet is reminiscent of the ginkgo trees in Showa Kinen Park.

The hotel building itself is integrated with the Ecute Tachikawa commercial facility, which makes it convenient to go shopping or enjoy a quick meal. You can use the hotel's breakfast tickets at three restaurants, including Tully's Coffee in Ecute Tachikawa.

Stylish Japanese-Western-style guest rooms also available! Enjoy the charms of the refined Japanese aesthetics

JR-East Hotel Mets Kokubunji, located next to JR Kokubunji Station, is a hotel with history that opened in 1996. The interior of the hotel incorporates the nature found in Musashino and Japanese aesthetics to create a peaceful space.

Four types of guest rooms are available, including single, double, and twin rooms. This deluxe twin guest room is a spacious 45 m2 room with two 120 cm-wide beds. It can accommodate up to four guests with extra beds. It includes a separate bath and toilet and an independent washbasin.

The area around the beds was designed to be reminiscent of the nature found in Musashino. The warmth of the wood, the beds, and soft pillows will help you get a good night’s sleep.

The Japanese-Western-style guest rooms have tatami mats on part of the floor and can accommodate up to five guests with the use of futons. The simple layout and wall-mounted TV make it a safe place for families with children.

After check-in, take a break and enjoy a cup of freshly ground coffee.

In addition to checking guests in and out, the third floor reception desk provides guests with information on sightseeing and transportation in the area. Self check-in terminals are also available. The Amenity Station, stocked with bath salts and skin care products, can also be found here.

The lobby lounge is furnished with comfortable tables and chairs. Guests can use this space to read or enjoy a drink and relax.

There is a free coffee machine in the corner of the lobby. Guests can enjoy freshly ground coffee 24 hours a day (except during maintenance).

The hotel boasts excellent access to the south exit of JR Kokubunji Station, just a one-minute walk away. It is also conveniently located approximately 21 minutes from Shinjuku Station and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station. This comfortable hotel is recommended for tourists as well as those traveling on business and students traveling for exams.

Beautiful western confections made by a patissier trained in France

The area outside the ticket gates on the second floor of Ecute Tachikawa is a food area with famous stores from all over Japan and popular stores from the Tama area.
Among these is Monamour Ecute Tachikawa, directly operated by a patisserie and restaurant established in 1868 and loved by customers for more than 150 years in Fuchu. The shop sells petit gâteaux that continue the French tradition, including the No. 1 popular Monamour (799 yen, right) and No. 2 Raphael (689 yen, left).

The showcase is filled with petit gâteaux and entremets made using seasonal fruits.

The Fuchu Madeleines (260 yen, left) come in five varieties: okara, pumpkin, cocoa, sesame, and matcha. The Japanese ingredients are added to this Western-style confection and baked slowly in a large oven for a moist texture. Along with Florentines (270 yen), these baked goods keep for a long time and make great gifts.

Look for the romantic, flower-filled sign. If you have a craving for something sweet while at the hotel, look no further.

Udorayaki, a Tachikawa specialty, is unique among traditional Japanese confections

Founded in 1956, this Japanese confectionery is now run by a second-generation couple. The shop sells Japanese confections, including the glossy Mitarashi Dango (173 yen per skewer), each made by hand using traditional methods.

It is located about a 10-minute walk from JR Tachikawa Station. Inside the shop, there is a large tea kettle that reads “Enjoy some tea.” Customers can savor the Japanese confections they purchase with this tea. The mochi dango dumplings are soft and chewy. They’ll be gone in no time!

Tachidora, a famous local confection loved by locals, are available for 280 yen per piece. The dough, made with 100% fresh eggs from poultry farms in Tachikawa, is moist and filled with homemade sweet bean paste.

The Udorayaki, imprinted with the beloved “failed-to-become official character” of Tachikawa, Udora, is 281 yen per piece. It might look a little scary, but don’t let its appearance get to you; it is a gentle monster mutated from the specialty Tachikawa udo. Udora merchandise is also sold in the shop.

This Japanese confection shop is overflowing with love for Tachikawa, with confections made with local ingredients and products made in collaboration with anime works set in Tachikawa. Come and find an afternoon snack while listening to the advice of the friendly proprietress.