On the edge of Tokyo, there is a nostalgic downtown that preserved the beauty of Showa period of Japan. It is called Shibamata. Shibamata is a slow-pace town for you to escape from the rush and crowd Tokyo. If you like Asakusa, you will be most likely fall in love with this place. It is a similar place like Asakusa with a famous temple, Taishakuten Daikyoji Temple, and a shopping street in front of the temple, but with more of a vintage atmosphere. It is only around 40 minutes away from the center of Tokyo.
Shibamata is also famous for being the setting of the longest film series recognized by the Guinness World Record, “Otako Wa Tsurai Yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”. The film series has 48 installments released between 1969 and 1995 across the Showa Period; that’s why you can see a statue of the main character, Tora-san, in front of the station.
Coming out from the Shibamata station, you can easily find the old street, it is also the path towards the temple. The first thing that grabs your attention would definitely be this old-school toy and candy shop. The design of the store is like a typical candy stores from the Showa period. There is a wide variety of candies and snacks inside the store and some of them are actually originated from long time ago. There are also rare candies and snacks that used to be popular in the past, which you can’t easily find nowadays. What surprised me is that they got a little vintage arcade that has machines from long time ago. They are well preserved and are still working now. It’s a great chance to try out some games that almost extinct now.
Following the path, you will be seeing a lot of traditional Japanese dessert stores. They are mostly selling their representative dessert in Shibamata, which is called “Kusa Dango”. It can be described as mugwort dumplings. The flavor of the mugwort combines with the red bean topping, it tastes sweet but refreshing. The stores serve tea with the dango, and the tea can’t be more suitable with this dessert.
In this street, all the architectures are remained in the style of old Japan. It feels cozy with the wood colors. Coming to this street is literally like time leaping or entering into a film studio.
At the end of the path, you can see the Taishakuten Daikyoji Temple. This is the symbolic temple in Shibamata, which also appeared in the film, “Otoko Wa Tsurai Yo”. This temple was built in 1629. The long history can be felt from its wooden structure. In the temple, there is a wooden sculpture gallery and a garden. What impressed me is the Zuiryu-no-matsu pine tree. It extended the branches to sideways, and it feels like the tree is guarding the temple as well.
Shibamata is definitely a great place to spend your afternoon. You get to experience a fantasy to the romance of traditional Japan. It has got a different atmosphere from Asakusa or Kyoto, which is not that glittering, but with a slow and peaceful vibe. You have to visit Shibamata once!
Info on Shibamata
Closest Station: Shibamata Station (Keisei Kanamachi Line)
Map:
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