Shibamata: From Taishakuten Sando Approach to Tora-san Museum and Yagiri Ferry

This course takes you from the statue of Tora-san at Shibamata Station, along Taishakuten Sando Approach to visit Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, then to Yamamototei and Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum, concluding with a boat ride across the Edo River on the Yagiri Ferry.

History and Local Charm

Shibamata is a town along the Edo River in Katsushika Ward, with its eastern side facing the river. The place name Shibamata evolved from "Shimamata." It is believed to have been named as such because sediment accumulated where river streams divided and merged, creating island-like elevated grounds within the lowlands. Shibamata has long been embraced by the waters of the Edo River, and due to its shallow riverbed, it also served as a crossing point to the opposite bank.

In 1779 (An'ei 8) during the Edo period, an ita-honzon (wooden principal image) was discovered at Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, causing a sudden increase in worshippers visiting from Edo. With the development of the railway, the temple town flourished even further, and by the early Showa period, a unified townscape had formed along the approach. In 2018 (Heisei 30), the "Cultural Landscape of Katsushika Shibamata," including the approach, was selected as Tokyo's first Important Cultural Landscape of Japan. Shibamata is also known nationwide as the setting of the film series "Otoko wa Tsurai yo." It is a town where you can explore the history of a temple gate town (monzen-machi), the world of cinema, and the heritage of the Edo River ferry on foot.

Major Highlights

• ​Taishakuten Sando Approach​​: An approach of about 200 meters connecting Shibamata Station to Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. It is lined with dango (sweet dumpling) shops, rice cracker shops, and river fish restaurants, retaining wooden store buildings dating back to the early Showa period. "Monzen Toraya," known for its kusa dango (mugwort dumplings), was used for filming as Tora-san's family home from the 1st to the 4th film of the series.
• ​Shibamata Taishakuten Temple​​: Formally known as Kyoeizan Daikyo-ji Temple, it is a Nichiren sect temple said to have been founded in 1629 (Kan'ei 6). Also referred to as the "temple of carvings," the outer walls of the Taishaku-do inner hall are decorated with carvings depicting stories from the Lotus Sutra. Other highlights include Nitenmon Gate, which is said to have been modeled after Yomeimon Gate at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and Suikei-en Garden, connected by covered corridors.
• ​Yamamototei​​: The former private residence of Yamamoto Einosuke, who founded a camera parts manufacturing factory. It harmonizes a main building that incorporates Western architectural elements into Japanese architecture in the shoin-zukuri style with a pure Japanese-style shoin garden. It is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Katsushika Ward.
• ​Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum​​: Opened in 1997, this museum is dedicated to the movie series "Otoko wa Tsurai yo." It houses the actual "Kurumaya" dumpling shop set used in filming, relocated from the Ofuna Studios, and the Yoji Yamada Museum is also located within the same building.
• ​Yagiri Ferry​​: A ferry boat connecting Shibamata across the Edo River with Shimo-Yagiri in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture. Originating as a ferry for farmers during the Edo period, it is the only remaining ferry boat in Tokyo. It crosses the roughly 150-meter river to the opposite bank in about 5 minutes.

Recommended Route and Duration

The estimated time required is around 4 hours. Exiting Shibamata Station on the Keisei Line, you will find statues of "Futen no Tora" and Sakura seeing him off in the station square. Enter Taishakuten Sando Approach from here and stroll forward while viewing the rows of shops. Passing through Nitenmon Gate at the end of the approach brings you into the grounds of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. Look up at the Zuiryu Pine and the Taishaku-do hall in front, view the carvings of the Taishaku-do, and then cross the corridor into Suikei-en Garden.

After leaving the temple, walk about 120 meters east-southeast to Yamamototei. Take a seat in the tatami room and gaze out at the waterfall at the back of the garden. About 110 meters south-southeast of Yamamototei is Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum. The museum is located in Shibamata Park near the Edo River, and its rooftop serves as part of the park. The Edo River riverbank is developed with Shibamata Park and cycling paths, allowing you to walk amid expansive views of the river.

Finally, head about 320 meters northeast from the museum to the Shibamata-side boarding area for the Yagiri Ferry. There is no set timetable; the boat departs once a certain number of passengers have boarded. The ferry service does not operate on certain days depending on the season, and may also be suspended due to weather or water levels. Especially when visiting in winter, be sure to confirm the operating days in advance. Every 60 days, on the Koshin day, a festival is held at Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, during which the ita-honzon is put on public display. Visiting to coincide with this festival is also an enjoyable option.

Experience Summary

Walk along the approach fragrant with dumplings to the Taishaku-do hall enclosed by carvings. Gaze at the garden from the tatami room of the estate, peek into the living room of Tora-san's family, and finally cross the Edo River by boat. This course allows you to experience the history of a temple gate town, famous movie scenes, and Tokyo's sole remaining ferry in half a day.