Dulce nostalgia – un barrio retro rebosante de encanto

Located in the north east of Tokyo, just a few stops from Ueno Station, visiting Shibamata is like stepping back in time.
Shibamata is known as the setting of the movie "Otoko wa Tsurai yo”.
As you exit the station, you come face to face with a bronze statue of “Tora-san,” the main character in the movie, looking back before leaving his hometown, and a statue of his sister Sakura, seeing him off. In the movie, Tora-san travels all over Japan but always comes back to Shibamata.

The main street, lined with nostalgic sweet shops and restaurants, leads to Taishakuten, with imposing wooden gates and spectacular carvings from the Lotus Sutra.
Behind the temple you’ll find Yamamoto-Tei, where you can enjoy a cup of green tea in a peaceful setting.

Taishakuten

Taishakuten-Sando , the main street lined with traditional shops selling fragrant toasted rice crackers and dango sweets made from rice flour, leads directly to the grand gate of Taishakuten.
Through the carved wooden Nitenmon gate, the sprawling temple complex is dominated by a huge, ancient pine tree.
The exquisite carvings on the Teishakudo and Nitenmon gate, inspired by Buddhist legends, are well worth seeing.
The ticket includes entry into the lovely inner gardens.

Shibamata's favorite son

A hustler who was always unlucky in love, Tora-san was a famous character throughout Japan, and the series of 48 movies, dubbed “Otoko wa tsurai yo,” or “It's tough being a man,” released between 1969 and 1995, showcased each prefecture.
After every adventure, Tora-san came home to Shibamata and the family dango shop.
While you may not be familiar with the movies, the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum offers fascinating insights into the history of this traditional working-class area and the film-making process, with dioramas and a finely crafted miniature of the town as it was in the 1950s.
At the adjacent "Yoji Yamada Museum", visitors can learn more about the director’s works and creative vision.

Take time for tea

Just behind Taishakuten and a few steps from the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum, Yamamoto-Tei is a beautiful merchant's house mixing classic 1920s Japanese and European architecture, where you can take tea overlooking the garden.
Just over the hill in front of the house, you'll find a sprawling park overlooking the Edo River, marking the boundary of Tokyo and Chiba.
On the weekend, local kids' teams practice baseball here, while families enjoy picnics and cheer them on.
Stroll down to the waterfront and you can take a Yagiri no Watashi, a traditional wooden boat across the river, propelled by a rower.

Stroll down memory lane in Shibamata’s retro streets

With its friendly locals, retro architecture and slower pace, the town makes a perfect escape from the stresses of city life.
Old buildings are being reborn as simple, stylish hostels and cafes, and the area's traditional hot springs and public baths are newly appreciated by those seeking out authentic experiences.
For a real trip back in time, Shibamata Haikara Yokocho is a delightful labyrinth of retro pinball machines and sweets and snacks from yesteryear.
Buy postcards of baseball stars and singers of the 1960s or try your hand at sideshow-style games.
In summer, you can dress in cotton yukata robes to watch the fireworks over the river, and feel like an extra in one of Tora-san's many movies.