we present our projects and business activities in each country and region to show how they contribute to local communities and the world as a whole View More Enriching+ is Sumitomo Corporation's official owned media bringing you the real thoughts of employees and the stories behind the projects Urban Development Business Department and General Manager Creating New Value in Kanda: How Terrace Square and KANDA SQUARE Are Shaping a Thriving Community Crafting Specialist Paths at Sumitomo Corporation: A Career in Real Estate Focused on Building Communities WORLD BIZ+ ―Exploring the Reality of the Workplace Vol.1― A Day In the Life of a Young Employee Working in an Industrial Park in Bangladesh Sumitomo Corporation's "Second Birthplace" in Kanda – Public-Private Partnership for Urban Planning that's Fun to Explore Developing an Industrial Park in Bangladesh from the Ground Up – Sumitomo Corporation's 30+ Year Track Record Mobilizes Government Sumitomo Corporation Explores the Optimal Solution for Logistics Facilities Through SOSiLA Integrated Trading Company Sumitomo Corporation Engages With Communities North Hanoi sustainable city: international city concept to lead a new ASEAN era Our new graduate recruiters answer 10 frequently asked questions (Part 1) Bullet Trains and Rockets: Sumitomo Precision’s No.1 Products Powering Society Transforming Energy Storage Into Core Infrastructure: New Storage Battery Challenges for Sumitomo Corporation in Hokkaido SMAS（Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service ） Makes it Happen Introducing EVs and Working Toward Decarbonization "Walking the Fields" Globally to Envision Agribusiness' Future: Cultivating Expertise and New Business Nestled in the suburban sprawl northwest of Tokyo Tokorozawa is a bustling commuter town in Saitama Prefecture While it may seem like just another bedroom community for Tokyo workers at first glance Tokorozawa boasts a rich history as the birthplace of Japanese aviation The city offers an intriguing blend of aviation heritage lively shopping and entertainment districts making it an appealing destination for visitors With convenient transportation links putting it within easy reach of central Tokyo Tokorozawa is an ideal base for families looking to balance big city access with more affordable suburban living ample green spaces and a strong community feel Tokorozawa's status as the birthplace of powered flight in Japan can be traced back to 1911 when the country's first airfield and flying school were established here The wide open spaces of the then rural area along with its favorable topography and climate made it a perfect location to nurture Japan's fledgling aviation industry French aviators provided the initial pilot training and from these humble beginnings Tokorozawa quickly developed into a hub for aircraft testing After World War II, the U.S. military took over Tokorozawa airfield, later returning most of the land to Japanese control in the 1970s and 80s. The expansive site of the former airfield was transformed into Kōkūkōen (Aviation Park) which retains traces of its aeronautic roots including a runway-inspired layout and various monuments to aviation pioneers all flights in eastern Japan are coordinated from an air traffic control center located in Tokorozawa a testament to the city's enduring link to the skies Airplanes on display at the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum The star attraction of Aviation Park is undoubtedly the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum. This excellent facility chronicles the history of Japanese aviation with an impressive collection of vintage aircraft and engaging interactive exhibits Visitors can get up close to a range of planes and helicopters spanning from the early days of flight to more modern times The museum is a big hit with children and aviation buffs alike Aviation Park really comes alive in cherry-blossom season when its hundreds of cherry trees burst into bloom Scores of locals and Tokyoites flock here for hanami picnics beneath the pink petals The park's ample green lawns and tree-lined paths make it a popular spot year-round for strolling With the aviation museum as its centerpiece and historical remnants of the airfield days still visible Kōkūkōen is a unique public space that honors Tokorozawa's high-flying heritage Vintage airplane parked in front of Kokukoen Station Tokorozawa's lively central shopping and entertainment district is concentrated around the west side of Tokorozawa Station. The main artery is Prope Street a busy pedestrian shopping arcade stretching from the station's west exit another nod to the area's aviation history and is always bustling with shoppers and students Prope Street has a vibrant energy and is great for people-watching For a more nostalgic slice of Showa times, hit up Sakazuki Yokocho This compact grid of alleyways just off Prope Street is packed with around 20 cozy and quirky little bars and eateries Each place has its own distinctive character reflecting the owner's tastes and personality and soak up the retro atmosphere that feels a world away from modern chain stores and shopping malls Tucked in the backstreets beyond the bright lights of the shopping district, reminders of Tokorozawa's pre-war past endure. One such spot is the Fukai Soy Sauce Factory, which dates all the way back to 1856. Housed in quaint old buildings, Fukai still produces top-notch soy sauce the traditional way after more than 150 years in business Pop into their on-site shop to pick up some of their famed soy sauce and soy-soaked tsukemono pickles Not far from the soy sauce factory you'll find Shinmeisha, Tokorozawa's most important Shinto shrine with a history stretching back over 1000 years. It's an important center of community life, hosting many matsuri festivals and events throughout the year. The shrine grounds are most lively during New Year's celebrations and for the unique Doll Memorial Ceremony in June when dolls are ritually burned to console their spirits the shrine makes for an interesting visit any time of year Tokorozawa marks the changing seasons with various traditional festivals the highlight of the local festival calendar is the Tokorozawa Matsuri in early to mid-October This boisterous event combines customary elements like portable shrines and festival floats with an unexpected twist: a flashy samba parade The Tokorozawa Liberdade Samba Club's parade is a fantastical spectacle of flamboyant costumes and Latin rhythms that might seem totally out of place - until you realize that Tokorozawa is home to a sizable Brazilian community The samba parade's exotic exuberance contrasts delightfully with the more staid traditional processions held on the same day This lively fusion of Japanese and Brazilian culture captures Tokorozawa's open and internationally-minded spirit Tokorozawa is part of the Sayama tea region the northernmost tea-growing district in Japan Tea cultivation is concentrated in the city's semi-rural northern reaches where small-scale family-run farms produce premium tea renowned for its flavor Many farms welcome visitors and sell their freshly picked and processed tea on site The new tea harvest peaks in late April/early May making this the ideal time to sample the region's signature product at its finest Visit a local farm or one of the many tea shops around town to experience the aroma and taste of freshly picked Sayama tea is a great chance to see how tea goes from raw leaf to cup and taste unique tea treats like tempura-fried tea leaves For sports fans, Tokorozawa is home to the Seibu Lions professional baseball team. The Lions are one of the oldest and most popular teams in Japan's Pacific League Catching a game at the 35,000-seat Belluna Dome is a great way to experience the fervent passion of Japanese baseball fans firsthand The stadium is easily accessible from Seibukyujo-mae Station Mt Fuji seen far beyond Sayamako reservoir Tokorozawa City website Japan In a Week Group Tours in Japan Discover Japan Group Tours in Japan The Tokaido Road Group Tours in Japan Urban and Rural Japan Group Tours in Japan Hanno City Guide: Exploring the Hidden Gem of Saitama Nestled in the heart of Saitama Prefecture Hanno City offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and urban charm Ashigakubo Icicles: A magical winter wonderland in Saitama Prefecture Nestled in the picturesque Chichibu region of Saitama Prefecture the Ashigakubo Icicles offer visitors a breathtaking winter spectacle Kumagaya Guide: Exploring the hidden gems of Saitama's hottest city Kumagaya stands as a vibrant city with a rich tapestry of history Nightlife in Japan: Going out, seeing and drinking Temples and shrines in Japan Markets in Japan Onsen, Hot Springs and Public Baths Family Travel Parks and Gardens Outdoor Activities Museums and Galleries View more Sign up and be the first to hear our news and special offers View More Grand Opening Ceremony held for all 142 stores and TOKOROZAWA e-CUBE Tokorozawa is still growing and shows limitless potential We want to transform Tokorozawa from a "commuter town" to “LIVING TOWN” where people continue to enjoy fulfilling lives I’m convinced that Tokorozawa – where people live study and play – will become even more appealing in the future The Seibu Group will play a leading role to this end by supporting all lifestyles we will create an even more attractive community in Tokorozawa Based on the "community-made" approach and "terrace philosophy" that we prioritize in the development of retail facilities the project was promoted by the collective strengths of the Sumitomo Corporation Group including support for the construction of 5G networks procurement of equipment and materials and opening stores including a Summit Store supermarket and a Tomod's drugstore We are working to make Emi Terrace Tokorozawa even more appealing as a community center with a lively atmosphere where customers can enjoy their daily lives to the fullest A promotional video was shown to highlight for the audience the appeal of Tokorozawa and the Seibu Group's past efforts to develop the city and how the opening of Emi Terrace Tokorozawa will make the city even more attractive local officials and staff working at Emi Terrace Tokorozawa took part in the Digital Fireworks Ceremony With about 700 customers waiting at opening time Tokorozawa City's mascot "Toko-ron" gave the countdown to the grand opening Business representatives and other VIPs welcomed the guests Both Sumitomo Corporation and SEIBU REALTY SOLUTIONS will continue to contribute to improving Tokorozawa by accelerating the evolution of Emi Terrace Tokorozawa The new style retail facility that blends "people," "city" and "nature" transforms Tokorozawa from a "commuter town" to “LIVING TOWN” that people want to visit again and again Please log in and check your service registration status.To cancel your subscription 1) === '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";");else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} Take a trip to Tokorozawa and enter the world of Totoro Studio Ghibli films have taken viewers on a magical journey for decades One of the most popular Miyazaki films has to be My Neighbor Totoro its fluffy titular character serving as a mascot of Ghibli Miyazaki took ample inspiration from the lush forestry and quaint countryside charm across Japan the film is said to be primarily based on the real-life city of Tokorozawa which is only a 30-minute train ride from central Tokyo Here are some real-life locations to visit in Tokorozawa to be whisked away to the whimsical world of My Neighbor Totoro Totoro’s Forest is just only a 30-minute train ride away from Ikebukuro station Much of My Neighbor Totoro is actually said to be designed with Tokorozawa in mind and this forest is the model of the forest where Mei and Satsuki meet Totoro for the first time A post shared by トトロの森（公式・公益財団法人トトロのふるさと基金） (@totoro_fund) the Totoro Fund actually operates a traditional folk house called Kurosuke’s House which you can visit with a reservation and a ¥500 entrance fee A big Totoro statue sits in the house for an adorable photo opp The house itself is registered as a tangible cultural property and the funds raised go directly to preserving Totoro’s Forest the forest where Totoro lives is called Tsukamori; fans speculate this forest is named after an ancient battlefield in Tokorozawa with a similar root in its name Also known as Kotesashi-gahara Battle Site Shirahatazuka is the site of the Battle of Kotesashi which ultimately ended the Kamakura shogunate Shirahatazuka’s pathway full of trees are somewhat reminiscent of the scene where Mei chases after Totoro but knowing the real-life location’s history adds a depth of creepiness to the originally adorable scene Satsuki and Mei’s mother is hospitalized in Shichikuniyama (七国山) Hospital but this area is actually based off of the area around Hachikokuyama (八国山) Park (a play on words as the only difference between the kanji is the eight changed into a seven) Located on the border of Tokyo and Saitama Hachikokuyama Park is recognizable in the scene where Mei Satsuki and their father ride a bicycle to go visit their hospitalized mother called Shichikuniyama Hospital in the movie A 20-minute walk from Hachikokuyama Park is Baiganji Temple which you might recognize from the scene where Mei gets lost on her way to the hospital she sits near the six Jizo (guardian deity of children) statues Baiganji Temple’s entrance is flanked by ancient trees that are over 600 years old and the temple has several culturally important monuments making a trip to Mei’s resting place well worth it One of the most memorable scenes from My Neighbor Totoro is where Satsuki lends her father’s umbrella to Totoro while waiting for the cat bus is presumed to be named after Inarimachi bus stop The real Inarimachi bus stop looks quite different from the bus stop seen in the film with a rice field spreading behind it instead of a forest Bring an umbrella with you when you visit to snap a memorable photo there’s actually a district called Totoro (轟) The small community bus stop is decorated with illustrations of Totoro and has since become a popular tourist destination Near the bus stop is a park called Totoro’s Forest and dozens of tiny rock Totoro figurines have been left behind by community members Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Saitama Prefecture—In another incident potentially involving an online criminal network one man was arrested and two others were detained after a home robbery ended in injury here on Oct At least four men broke into a house in the Kitanoshinmachi district of the city at 2:05 a.m They tied up an 85-year-old man and his 83-year-old wife with duct tape They stole around 80,000 yen ($554) and fled who arrested one of the suspects and detained two other men near the house The man who was arrested has admitted to the allegations Investigators are still identifying the suspect He claimed that he received the shady job offer through an encrypted messaging app This led police to suspect he is involved in one of the emerging loosely connected criminal networks; these online group are known for their anonymous and fluid memberships Police also discovered two cars in the parking lot of a neighborhood convenience store The vehicles' license plates were issued in Fukuoka and Gunma prefectures This is the latest in a string of similar robberies in Saitama Prefecture and the surrounding areas Perpetrators are often ordinary individuals with regular day jobs who were recruited through social media law enforcement arrested three men who were suspects of a separate home invasion that occurred in the prefectural capital on Sept The men are accused of injuring the two residents—a woman in her 60s and her mother who is in her 80s—and stealing cash Text address of murder victim on phone connected to another attack Woman injures 4 in knife attack on train in central Tokyo Teen arrested on suspicion of hitting girl prior to a deadly arson Man arrested on suspicion of assault in face mask altercation Ibaraki man arrested after girl tossed in washing machine 61-year-old man admits to stabbing junior high student Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Today's print edition Home Delivery The Saitama Prefectural Police have placed Rikiya Morita who is suspected of being involved in a string of violent home invasion robberies in the Kanto region Authorities released Morita’s identity on Thursday and are seeking public assistance in locating him.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Morita is described as being 170 to 180 centimeters tall He has been linked to the crimes through evidence recovered at the scene and statements from three suspects in the robberies who have already been arrested a 24-year-old who claims to be a part-time worker In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division The five-story building itself resembles a huge boulder and the inside is full of wood and other natural elements one of Japan’s largest publishers of books including a model made for the 70th anniversary of the landmark 1950 film “Rashomon,” directed by Akira Kurosawa and starring Toshiro Mifune An excerpt from Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s novel is projected in the model’s background Elsewhere you’ll find a statue of the bald visitors will find Edit Town and 25,000 books from around the world Various zones in the library hold selections of poetry but visitors can take them inside Edit Town to read The Aramata Wunderkammer Museum is a bizarre space filled with oddities like skeletal specimens mammoth hair and ‘pieces of UFOs.’ The shelves don’t really have a rhythm or rhyme to them Also on this floor is the stunning Bookshelf Theatre complete with 26-foot-tall bookshelves that contain 50,000 books A projection mapping work called “Books Want to Communicate” creates a light show on the bookshelf throughout the day The ticket includes the exhibit and the libraries on the fourth and fifth floors The exhibit is a digital journey through Monet’s life including Impressionistic re-creations of the people and places that defined his life This exhibition is displayed in Japanese and English and explains Monet’s painting techniques and his influence from Japonisme Examples of Japanese prints are displayed with which Monet The fifth-floor Musashino Corridor holds books related to the city in which the museum is located again with a large space where guests can sit on beanbags and read There is also a spot — a real bridge with a large print of “Bridge Over a Pond of Waterlilies” — where guests may photograph themselves Directions: Address: 3-31-3 Higashi-Tokorozawa Wada An 11-minute walk from Higashi-Tokorozawa Station for children to 3,100 yen for adult one-day ticket that includes the Bookshelf Theater and “Monet: I Can See the Lights.” Food: There are cafes on the second and fifth floors Tokyo; President: Tomohide Saito) and Sumitomo Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku President and Chief Executive Officer: Shingo Ueno) today completed construction of Emi Terrace Tokorozawa a community-based retail facility and part of the Tokorozawa Station West Exit Land Readjustment Project (the "Project") which is being carried out in the surrounding area and includes the former site of Seibu Railway Tokorozawa train factory The opening date has been set for September 24 (Tuesday) Additional details will be announced in the upcoming weeks SEIBU REALTY SOLUTIONS and Sumitomo Corporation will continue to facilitate the evolution of Tokorozawa from a "commuter town" to a pleasant and cheerful town where people enjoy fulfilling lives by developing Emi Terrace Tokorozawa as the focal point of Tokorozawa The new facility will be a pleasant and comfortable place to visit time and again and contribute to the creation of an even better community in Tokorozawa we are actively working on digitalization and AI-based DX has been completed in a large atrium space of approximately 635 m2 located in the center of the facility and equipped with a 547-inch (7 m x 12 m) LED large-screen system – one of the largest of any retail facility in Japan – as well as four projectors offering visitors many diverse experiences We have also developed interactive digital content including "Spotlight Orchestra" and "Tokorozawa Dream Fireworks" with digital technology group 1-10 creating a space where visitors can enjoy digital content every day Making full use of the atrium space and large-screen display Center Court (tentative name) will be an attractive space for a broad range of visitors offering information and participatory Seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor areas "Sora-Kumo Hiroba" will be on the fourth floor The outdoor area will be equipped with playground equipment such as pop jets and a hill for children to play freely as well as greenery with benches for strolling In "Sora-Kumo Dining," the indoor space featuring seven unique restaurants there is a rainy-day play area for preschoolers and a free space where visitors can watch their children while enjoying take-out food and drinks from the restaurants an atrium space located in the center of the facility will offer a variety of settings for people to gather share experiences or spend time on their own public viewing of Seibu Lions games and community interaction the space will be open to the public for relaxation with tables and chairs provided interaction and hands-on experience with interactive digital content utilizing one of the largest displays and projectors of any retail facility in Japan as well as displaying in-building information Many different ESG-conscious initiatives are being implemented to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society In addition to acquiring "ZEB Oriented" certification (for retail store area) and a CASBEE A ranking solar panels are installed on the roof of the facility to generate electricity on-site and through the use of FIT Non-Fossil Certificates virtually zero CO2 emissions for 100% of the electricity used at the facility is a primary goal we have also made use of prefectural lumber and recycled materials * Reference value calculated by manufacturer Restrooms on each floor are equipped with tactile signs that show the layout of the restrooms and "spacious restrooms" (larger toilets that can be conveniently used by persons requiring restroom assistance) in an effort to create a facility that can be used with ease by all visitors The "Emi Terrace & Grand Emio Tokorozawa" app a joint mobile phone app linking Emi Terrace Tokorozawa and Grand Emio Tokorozawa the Tokorozawa Station Building that opened in 2020 In addition to floor maps and store guides for both facilities this app is packed with useful features offering great value including linkage with the "SEIBU Smile POINT" points system common to both facilities Other features such as the "Kids Program" will be updated as an original "Emi Terrace Tokorozawa" function in time for the opening on September 24 Following the 139 stores announced in April 2024 A great number of the stores will be new to the area including 94 stores opening in Tokorozawa for the first time the two companies will leverage their accumulated knowledge and expertise to create an attractive retail space in keeping with a "Tokorozawa of the future," where visitors can have fun enriching experiences while engaging with different generations thereby contributing to the creation of a more vibrant community Emi Terrace will feature a pop-up store for the popular global best-selling game "Minecraft" for a limited time The pop-up will feature different products like the creeper The Tokorozawa weaving union has about 35 companies still registered. However, Tokorozawa weaving is almost a forgotten legacy. On November 11, a small symposium was held at Amigo, a community center about 10 minutes from Bushi Station in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture and a small cafe serves the community.  The symposium was entitled "The Story of Thread: Pass the Baton." Bushi is a quiet little backwater is a giveaway as to the original purpose of the building And he was looking fine and dandy in his kimono Farmers' markets and craft fairs are held here as well as concerts and other events Kumiko Miura from the Iruma City Museum ALIT started off the symposium with a presentation detailing the ancient history of the Iruma river valley Settlers grew tea on the flatter areas around the river and built their housing just under the hills Around the tea bushes they planted mulberries which indicates that there was a silk weaving culture here from ancient times Sayama is still famous for tea production but the area including Tokorozawa and Hanno was successful for its weaving culture in days gone by who is an expert on the weaving culture of Saitama He told us about the more recent history of Tokorozawa weaving including the history of the building we were in.  Although we tend to think of weaving as a traditional culture, in the Taisho and early Showa periods was one of the most forward-looking textile businesses in Japan the processes before the weaving of cotton fabrics were mainly performed in individual homes: the cleaning a place was made to do all these processes under one roof.  Iruma Senkou was founded in 1900. By 1907, it was involved not only in the preparation and the weaving of cotton and wool fabrics but also in the mercerization and finishing of the fabrics. They were mainly making menswear. However, the designs became a little old-fashioned with many vertical stripes, so a design research committee was set up in Kawagoe.  It is treated with caustic soda and is softer Tokorozawa weaving became famous for both quality and design.  when the government wanted to encourage domestic industry it awarded the Bushi factory with the latest weaving looms from Germany This further enabled their competitiveness and also necessitated the construction of a new building.  The weaving industry in the Kanto area had workers' unions and other towns around Tokyo that had weaving industries It was especially important to them to understand the use of chemical dyes which began to be imported from Europe at the end of the 19th century the textiles were not only for menswear but also for womenswear They also included fashionable light summer fabrics.  It was fascinating to hear about the history of textile-making in the Tokorozawa area. The Iruma factory was also used for lace-making in the mid-20th century. This lace-making factory was so important that the Showa Emperor visited it twice to encourage the workers in lace production Some displays were on at the same time as the symposium One was a display of lace that had been made at the Iruma factory and collected from local people A lace wedding kimono was the most stunning piece there but there was a huge variety of machine-made lace on display.  Another display was of Kawagoe Futago Touzan The weavers were taught by master weaver Nishimura Yoshiaki They still continue to weave kimono and other items from plant-dyed threads which they dye themselves.  Towels and scarves from local businesses were also on display and hand-weave also had their small items on display Everyone gained new insight into the local history and the textile industry through this small symposium Author: Sheila CliffeRead other columns on kimono by the author You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Saitama police have arrested a 31-year-old company employee from Aichi Prefecture on suspicion of soliciting participants for a violent robbery that occurred last month in the city of Tokorozawa "I was in charge of introducing new people I did it because I needed the money."googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The sources said that Nagura used social media to post advertisements with phrases like "easy job" and "goods transport" to recruit individuals for "dark part-time jobs," known as yami baito in Japanese He then exchanged messages with applicants via encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and Telegram ultimately introducing these recruits to another individual believed to have directed the operations Julian Ryall steps away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and finds Tokorozawa the most underrated Japanese city just one hour from the capital The spirit lurking in the doorway is unmistakable As tall as an adult with a round body and pointed grey ears Arguably one of the greatest anime characters of all time and the star of the multiple award-winning 1988 film My Neighbour Totoro I find him staring out from the traditional wooden farmhouse as the rain falls gently on the surrounding forest Totoro is nevertheless the target of younger visitors’ affections and they nudge each other aside to get the chance to throw their arms around his considerable girth Totoro holds his gaze at Kurosuke’s House, a registered national tangible cultural property in the Saitama Prefecture town of Tokorozawa, less than an hour west of Tokyo by train - but a world away from the glass READ MORE: This is the best neighbourhood to base yourself if you’re a first-timer in Tokyo The Totoro Foundation was set up to protect the shrinking natural environment of this part of Saitama and has gradually purchased pockets of land that were once “satoyama,” or managed woodland Slowly, these small patches of woodland, stands of bamboo and brushland have been combined to form Totoro’s Forest, a sprawling area that now encompasses forests, ponds and wetlands that are teeming with wildlife and are all connected by walking trails Kurosuke’s House is the hub of the idea and was originally built in 1902 An open hearth with a kettle above is in the entranceway and a wide veranda runs the length of one side to catch the cool summer breezes Upstairs is a single room with high beams where the work of the organisation that is expanding Totoro’s Forest is showcased Directly adjacent to the parkland is Waho-an another traditionally designed building that dates 65 years but has recently been extensively modernised inside to make it into a “minpaku” private lodging that sleeps up to 10 and is available through Airbnb The unique appeal of Waho-an is that it has been in the family of green tea farmer Ryoichi Wada for many generations is surrounded by fields growing the local Sayama tea and Wada-san provides guests with tailored tea experiences Sayama tea plants have slightly thicker leaves than those that are cultivated in more southerly parts of Japan but are considered to have a flavour that is distinctly sweeter and richer than elsewhere Wada-san farms around 12,000 sq m of tea plants and his brews have been judged the best in the Kanto region of Japan on three occasions and he has been crowned national champion once Wada-san leads visitors out into the tea plantation with the tops of the bushes around shoulder height He demonstrates how pickers need to grasp the top two leaves of the plant between thumb and forefinger and It does not take long before the bowl hung around my neck is full and Wada-san leads us back to Waho-an to continue the traditional method of preparation A purpose-made table with a sunken middle section is in the spacious entranceway and he demonstrates how to gently roll the green leaves – a process that traditionally takes hours - before they are stored to dry he will then invite participants to sample some of his award-winning tea beneath a waxed parasol in the garden quirky properties that have recently been repurposed to offer accommodation in a city that has until now been lacking in places to stay Nana Endo has transformed a simple apartment above a shopping complex into Engawa while Jus Jus is a stylish auberge-inspired hotel with seven guest rooms and a restaurant serving French cuisine on the ground floor The outdoor deck is alongside Lake Sayama – the road looping around its shores is perfect for cycling - and the owners have big plans to expand to the rear of the property with a glamping area and Tokorozawa is also home to one of the most famous carvers specialising in crafting the intricate masks used in Noh theatre Gensei Fukuyama can frequently be found working on a mask used in this classical form of dance theatre at Nomen Art Museum Exquisite carving is also on display at Konjo-in Temple where the main hall was most recently rebuilt in 1763 and houses dozens of far older “kannon” statues associated with the Buddhist deity for mercy and compassion A painting of a fire-breathing dragon prowls across the ceiling of the main hall One of Tokorozawa’s more modern claims to fame is in the Namiki district of the city which in 1911 became the site of the first airfield in Japan The aviation museum houses a small but interesting selection of small planes and helicopters and details Japan’s earliest efforts to get airborne The original grass runway is still visible and the surrounding parkland is dotted with statues and memorials to early flying pioneers The airfield played an important role in training fliers before and during World War II but was taken over by the Allied Occupation forces immediately after Japan’s surrender in 1945 It was returned to the local authority in the 1970s and turned into a park Part of the area has also been turned over to a large tea house set in formal gardens that include a pond with carp a small waterfall and a hexagonal pergola where visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring and the gold and russet leaves as autumn comes The Saishotei tea house serves a variety of local teas served with beautifully prepared cakes and also hosts formal tea ceremony events Saitama gets a bad rap and is too often seen as merely a prefecture made up of dormitory towns for workers who travel into Tokyo every day the area around Tokorozawa has stunning pockets of history as well as a rich and proud history of tea the best the prefecture’s tourism authority could come up with as a logo for its annual promotional campaign was “Saitama – Really close to Tokyo!” Perhaps it is about time they stood that slogan on its head Fly from Auckland to Tokyo non-stop with Air NZ in approximately 11 hours A train from Tokyo to Tokorozawa takes around 1 hour Kurosuke’s House is only open three days a week: Tuesdays and a reservation is required in advance through the website Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp Anime and manga fans now have a new place to explore and hang out Just a 40-minute train ride away from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro lies Tokorozawa Sakura Town and event space all dedicated to anime and manga one of Japan’s biggest publishing companies that focuses heavily on manga The entire complex is anchored by the futuristic Kadokawa Culture Museum which contains a manga/Light Novel library and an anime museum that showcases original works The Da Vinci Store carries a large collection of books curated by the store’s own theme while the pyramid-like Japan Pavilion is an event space dedicated to e-sports competitions and games into real-life experiences through pop culture events and exhibits Dedicated fans can also spend a night at the anime-themed hotel on site Devoted anime and manga fans can spend a night at EJ Anime Hotel It has a 5G-enabled lobby with a giant screen that showcases scenes from an ever-changing roster of anime Recent collaboration titles feature a huge range of genres a classic comedy anime about mischievous identical sextuplets to Toaru Kagaku no Railgun T which is about a group of female students who possess unique psychic powers Each of the 33 minimalist rooms in the hotel is equipped with amenities including exclusive character merchandise from the room’s theme anime to take home All rooms also feature a smartphone device which can be used to complete missions starring themed characters with rewards such as downloadable wallpapers and voice clips Even the wake up alarm is the anime character’s voice The rooms are also equipped with a huge 150-inch projector screen where you can watch your favourite anime or play games with high-quality 3D sound and hue lighting to enhance the experience To create a cosplayer-friendly environment the hanging racks in the rooms are larger than most you can find in Japan making them ideal for storing multiple costumes full-length mirror also adds to the convenience ranging from deluxe rooms to suite rooms to a Japanese-style tatami room are booked according to the anime titles available in the roster All room bookings come with breakfast and dinner included with dinner featuring an elegant fine dining meal inspired by the specific anime chosen for the room’s theme Anime-specific cocktails are available at Lounge Tiam which come with themed coasters you can take home with you Access: Approximately 10 minute walk from Higashi Tokorozawa station Website: Official Website (Japanese only) Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages Saitama police arrested a 26-year-old woman Tuesday on burglary resulting in injury charges after allegedly acting as the financial coordinator for a yami baito (shady part-time job) operation that occurred in October The suspect, Keiko Muto from the city of Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward, is accused of cooperating with the scheme’s mastermind and receiving stolen funds and transferring payments to accomplices in a violent burglary that occurred on Oct. 1 in the city of Tokorozawa Saitama Prefecture.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); A joint task force — comprising the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and others in Chiba Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures — is also investigating her involvement in a robbery and manslaughter incident that occurred a day earlier in Kokubunji Police arrested three men on Tuesday in connection with two violent home invasion robberies in Tokyo’s Kokubunji and Saitama Prefecture’s city of Tokorozawa He and two others are suspected of tying up elderly residents and stealing cash in two separate incidents “I was hired through an encrypted messaging app.”googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Authorities are pursuing one additional suspect still at large Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo The new attraction is made up of two works ‘Sunrise and Sunset: Autonomous Resonating Life – Liquified Light Color features large acorn-shaped objects spread across the park the surface of these digital acorns reflects the surroundings like a mirror effectively camouflaging them in the environment the acorns light up in different colours and synchronise based on the sounds around them. The second work the lights here change colour according to sound patterns The park is about a ten-minute walk from Higashi-Tokorozawa Station which is just under an hour from Tokyo Station take the JR Keihin-Tohoku line to Minami-Urawa and change to the JR Musashino line for Higashi-Tokorozawa Station This article was originally published on July 16 2020 and updated on April 13 2023 The new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku will feature artworks by 26 artists Kabukicho is getting a fancy new yokocho food hall with live entertainment New parades and events are coming to Tokyo Disneyland for its 40th anniversary Get unlimited metro rides and discounts at over 100 Tokyo attractions with this pass Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is offering a dreamy dinner buffet accompanied by fireflies Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us These glowing drain covers also serve to keep people safe at night The manhole covers are illuminated from 6pm to 2am and line the road leading from Higashi-Tokorozawa Station to Tokorozawa Sakura Town Here are some of the 28 designs you’ll see.  Here’s the main frog from ‘Keroro Gunso’ The titular Keroro Gunso is actually a frog-shaped alien in charge of conquering Earth but is too distracted by making Gundam figurines or watching television there are also manhole covers dedicated to the most recent anime ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin’ which is a remake of the original series.  has chosen elf Deedlit as as its manhole representative.  Here we have evil Ainz Ooal Gown from the fantasy anime ‘Overlord’ this is the type of villain these LED manhole covers should be protecting you from.  ‘Slayers’ is a lighthearted teenage coming-of-age anime that follows redheaded sorceress Lina Inverse as she learns magic and hunts for treasure in a fantasy world.  manga and anime ‘Spice and Wolf’ which is set in a pseudo-European town during Medieval times.  Check our guide on going out safely in Tokyo – or anywhere Marie Kondo has an eight-week home tidying challenge for you – and it’s free Kyoto’s golden Kinkakuji Temple is undergoing renovations until December 2020 Virtual Tokyo Tower lets you see Tokyo 100 years in the future for free Japanese cities have started live-streaming their tourist spots on Facebook This Demon Slayer themed steam train is running for a limited time in Kyushu museum and event space will give Tokyo a run for its money June 11] The grand opening of Tokorozawa Sakura Town has been pushed to November 2020 due to coronavirus including those inside the Kadokawa Culture Museum are scheduled to open earlier between late July and October Set to open in July 2020, Tokorozawa Sakura Town is part of a joint project between the publishing house Kadokawa and Tokorozawa city Only 40 minutes by train from Ikebukuro Station this multi-purpose complex is taking Japan’s most popular anime novels and games and turning them into real-life experiences This includes incorporating the pop culture elements into museums Sakura Town is aiming to become the country’s hottest spot for Japanese pop culture Kadokawa Culture MuseumThe Kadokawa Culture Museum, scheduled to open on June 6, is by far the most eye-catching feature of Tokorozawa Sakura Town, especially with its 30m-tall polyhedral rock-shaped design. Conceived by starchitect Kengo Kuma who prefers natural elements over concrete and iron the museum’s exterior is made from 20,000 pieces of heavy granite.  Book lovers will enjoy the museum’s massive library with its 8m-tall bookshelves spanning two floors Look out for the special projection mapping shows that turn the library into a ‘bookshelf theatre’ will be satisfied with the EJ Anime Museum on the third floor of the Kadokawa Culture Museum and you can expect a deep insight into anime culture through a showcase of original works plus information on anime studios and the staff who worked on the films Make sure to check out the manga and novel library as well plus the on-site souvenir shop and café.  EJ Anime HotelIf you can’t get enough anime after visiting the museum then splurge on a room at this new entertainment-themed hotel on which you can watch your favourite anime with its large collection of books curated by Kadokawa’s editorial department the director of the Kadokawa Culture Museum.  You can also get your hands on exclusive anime goods plus merchandise for concerts and events held at the on-site Japan Pavilion Japan PavilionThis pyramid-like structure is an event space designed for e-sports competitions The main hall can accommodate about 1,800 people while the smaller theatre hall can fit around 200 this new shopping complex even has its own modern shrine The Musashino Nimasu Uruwashiki Yamato no Miyashiro shrine commonly known as the Musashino Reiwa Shrine Ride Japan’s most famous roller coasters online The best podcasts to learn about Japan Tokyo's most popular landmarks are now on live-stream The best documentaries about Japanese food The best books set in Japan Company Information TOP The Daiwa House Group’s Business Philosophy Companies and Services of Our Housing Support Companies and Services of Our Business Solution Companies and Services of Our Life Creation Investor Relations TOP For a Sustainable Future TOP Our Way to Sustainability Environmental Efforts Commitment to Society Governance Tokorozawa is the fourth most populous municipality in Saitama Prefecture The Tokorozawa Neopolis development was built in its Tomioka neighborhood in 1970 Conveniently located for commuting to Shinjuku or Ikebukuro it remains a popular place to live for people who work in the city the 132,351 m2 site is on mostly level ground and is served by a full range of nearby healthcare and nursing facilities making it a home for many families with children.However the number of elderly living alone has increased over time the lack of a supermarket within walking distance and the infrequency of public transportation services pose problems for the increasing number of residents who are no longer able to maintain their driving license Daiwa House employees at Tokorozawa Neopolis have been participating in residents' association activities (including cleaning and crime prevention patrols) and resident activities (including tai chi and looking after new entrants to elementary school) They have also worked with local farmers to hold farm day events and held consultations on community issues.We intend to continue engaging in these initiatives that address local issues in partnership with residents its goal being the sustainable development of the housing complex as a place where people will want to stay as residents or choose as their new home we will continue with these efforts to work with the community to overcome the challenges it faces with the goal of making Tokorozawa Neopolis a place where people will want to stay as residents or choose as their new home Recognizing how farming represents a community resource for Tokorozawa this work includes plans for making use of farms as places for forging connections among the different generations living in the district so that everyone can live a happy and healthy life It also involves getting together with residents to consider issues such as how to make the most of open space Livness Town Project 2055年の景色をつくる【#03】なぜ「つながり」を生み出すには、“信頼を育む場”が必要なのか Daiwa House Industry TOP Director Hayao Miyazaki once lived in the city of Tokorozawa in the Saitama Prefecture and was inspired to create My Neighbor Totoro from his memories of the area. Now the city has unveiled a monument inspired by the classic Studio Ghibli film was unveiled at Tokorozawa Station on Wednesday Local kindergarten children assisted with the unveiling a song from the movie has also started playing as a jingle whenever a train leaves the Tokorozawa station The date coincides with the 70th anniversary of Tokorozawa's municipal enforcement Hayao Miyazaki left a message to commemorate the occasion: "I want my beloved Tokorozawa to preserve its greenery and its landscapes from long ago." Sources: NHK, Nikkei KID FRESINO will hold a solo live concert in his hometown of Tokorozawa The venue will be Tokorozawa Sakura Town Japan Pavilion Hall A This will be his first solo live in his hometown The show is titled “KID FRESINO live in Tokorozawa,” and will be the last performance of the year with the band formation consisting of Jungo Miura (Ba) and Shudai Nishida (Gt) who toured with the group in August This will be the last performance of the year The official advance registration for tickets will start at 18:00 on October 30 (Mon.) Featuring: KID FRESINO w/ Jungo Miura (Ba) Itsukizawa Sakura TownTime : Doors open 18:30 / Concert begins 19:30Advance : 5,000 yen / at the door : 5,500 yen (drinks not included)INFO : SMASH 03-3444-6751 smash-jpn.com[Official Advance Tickets] (Japanese only)Application Period : October 30 2023 (Sun) 23:59How to apply : by lotteryURL : w.pia.jp/t/kidfresino[General sale]November 11 2023 (Sat) 10:00 –LOTIKE (L : 73611)Pia (P : 256-402)eplus: eplus.jp/kidfresinoNo admission for preschool children tickets are required for elementary school students and older.Up to 4 tickets per person are available.No alcoholic beverages will be sold at the venue NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size Saitama’s new pop culture-focussed shopping mall hotel and museum is celebrating its one-year anniversary with beautiful illuminations until February 2022 the area surrounding the centre’s 12m-tall koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine) tree will be lit with LED lights and projectors and the exterior of the building will be illuminated with a gradient of colours that will change from autumn to winter Other areas, including the Kadokawa Culture Museum, will also have their own illuminations installed from December 10. And while you’re in the area, don’t forget to visit the permanent outdoor teamLab exhibit in Higashi Tokorozawa Park, right beside Sakura Town. Opened in 2020, Tokorozawa Sakura Town is an epic collaborative project documenting Japanese pop culture's irresistible rise and influence spread to the public. Part of the Cool Japan Forest Project, a joint initiative between the literary and media powerhouse Kadokawa and Tokorozawa City Tokorozawa Sakura Town is a vast complex dedicated to the uniquely Japanese cultural exports of manga and anime Tokorozawa Sakura Town is a utopia for fans of Japanese pop culture and spread across several core spaces These areas include the Musashino Reiwa Shrine and the Kadokawa Culture Museum—the beating heart of Tokorozawa Sakura Town Visitors to Tokorozawa Sakura Town will be whisked away into a land of fantasy and imagination The guiding principle of the complex is to bring the vivid adventures manga and anime fans get from the media and turn them into real-world experiences The Kadokawa Culture Museum is a structural marvel a former winner of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture the museum building is an imposing stone structure that appears as though it has been transplanted directly from the pages of a manga comic book The centerpiece of the Kadokawa Culture Museum is its Bookshelf Theater ten-meter-high atrium is a library like no other you've seen before this spellbinding room is more than just a library space The theater can be transformed into a performance venue for music and theater events and a stage for audio-visual the museum has a wide variety of other attractions spread across its five floors 1,000 square foot space that hosts rotating exhibitions focused on nature the environment—anything that tells a story best expressed through art The museum's Manga & Light Novel Library includes close to 35,000 examples of manga literature and is one of the largest collections of its kind anywhere in the world In the Rock Museum Shop you can pick up local crafts and foods while the KadoCafe and SACULA DINER prepares delightful local dishes for you giving you a chance to relax after taking in the museum's outstanding sights Delve into immersive anime exhibitions in the EJ Anime Museum get lost in contemporary literature on a trip through Edit Town’s Book Street and discover a mind-boggling collection of exhibits and artifacts inspired by anime and imagination in the ARAMATA Wunderkammer (Museum) AR and VR combine to give visitors a remarkable perspective of Musashino the area where the Kadokawa Culture Museum is located Discover the unique history of this ancient region's land landscaped garden is named after Genyoshi Kadokawa founder of the Kadokawa Corporation and based on the garden from his former home imposing magnolia is at the center of the garden alongside delicate flower bushes and cherry trees While for the ultimate manga shopping experience the Da Vinci Store houses boundless manga titles and related merchandise Photo credit: teamLab “Resonating Life in the Acorn Forest” A little further afield from the main complex in nearby Musashino Jurin Park teamLab: Resonating Life in the Acorn Forest a permanent outdoor exhibition by the art collective teamLab To complete your Japanese pop culture odyssey, expand on your trip to Tokorozawa Sakura Town with a visit to Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, located north in Akita Prefecture the museum boasts Japan's most extensive collection of original manga drawings—an astonishing 400,000 pieces—and is a well-established pilgrimage spot for manga enthusiasts The museum closed its doors to the public for two years and underwent extensive renovations Documenting and preserving the history of manga and making predictions for how this unique art form might evolve the Yokote Masuda Manga Museum hosts exciting rotating exhibitions Among the many Yokote Masuda Manga Museum attractions the Manga no Kura collection is the most impressive this stunning collection features incredible examples of manga artworks stored behind glass in a climate-controlled setting to preserve their integrity The name of the exhibition space translates to 'manga warehouse' in English and derives from the traditional kura Amongst the museum's permanent and temporary exhibition spaces you'll find original works from Japan's greatest manga artists While digitization has taken over much of manga today who donated 42,000 works to the museum and is its honorary director and learn all about the culture that has grown around this unique literary artform relax in the museum's cafe and enjoy manga-themed dishes Due to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 business hours may be subject to change; please check with the venues before visiting WEB：https://kadcul.com/en WEB：https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/ WEB：http://manga-museum.com/ Tokyo trains are not only top class and consistently on time You may be familiar with the station jingles which come on every time a train is about to depart These jingles have become synonymous with Tokyo’s train stations and they are often renditions of iconic pop songs or movie scores What’s more impressive is that each station’s jingle is different.   Starting Tuesday November 3, Seibu Railway’s Tokorozawa Station in Saitama prefecture will be using popular tunes from Studio Ghibli’s anime ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ as its station jingle to commemorate Tokorozawa City’s 70th anniversary This is a perfect fit for the station as the scenery in the film was based on Sayama Hills a forested area located in Tokorozawa.  There will be a total of five melodies taken from these two songs off the original soundtrack ‘Sanpo’ and ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ Each jingle will be roughly five seconds long and can be heard across the platforms that service the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro lines This marks a first for Studio Ghibli as no other train station in Japan has ever used its songs as a departure tune.  the station will also be installing a new ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ monument at its exit Expect to see this sometime at the end of the year Studio Ghibli releases 300 more free images from six films including ‘Princess Mononoke’ Japan could extend the New Year holidays by a whole week in 2021 The three new restaurants you should try at Gems Aoyama Cross in Shibuya Narita airport is offering two-hour coronavirus PCR tests starting November National parks in Japan are installing wifi to encourage ‘workations’ pre-pandemic and contemporary functionalities and requirements While the office campus aesthetically reflects the office spaces that were with details such as colour and tonality and planning take into consideration the design solutions that evolved over the past year.  All of these different departments co-exist across singular floorspace Flooat Inc designed it as a way of helping employees balance their individual sensibilities within a collective of creativity The central idea was to aid different departments to experience fresh encounters and realisations The term ‘fluctuated landscape’ refers to the seemingly random spatial alterations which take place within the continuum Different sections are not demarcated by traditional elements such as walls the studio chooses to introduce varied ceiling heights with occasionally exposed structural elements are random and generate a vertically-oriented variety We often forget the impact of experiencing volumetric variation it is an effect the Flooat’s design capitalises on Some of the lower ceilinged areas are defined as ‘intensification zones’ while others with higher ceilings are named ‘relaxation zones’ where creative inter-communication is encouraged The variations differentiate but do not separate spaces it brings the campus together in harmonious synergy.  Flooat Inc carefully selected materials and furnishings and opted for uneven colour intensities This allows the interior to change tone with the movement of light as the day progresses employees sense the passage of time via real-time light effects A central ‘light court’ connects to a courtyard and roof terrace with a mini amphitheatre with a projector along one of its edges The light court brings natural light inside the enormous structure and functions as a place for employees to refresh The space will also double as an event space where guests and local residents would also be invited to participate the different areas have been defined using glass screens and furniture The utilities are stacked in each of the four corners and allow for a seamless visual connection across the entire floor The overall effect is the complete removal of unsociable feelings associated with the modern office It is also important to note the use of the term ‘fluctuated landscape’ it is one that accurately describes the project and is perhaps a more appropriate account of this new system of office design Devanshi is responsible for thinking of new and original approaches to architectural writing she has a Master’s degree in History and Critical Thinking from the Architectural Association Devanshi has a certificate in Curatorial Studies and co-curated an exhibition at A plus A Gallery She has been teaching at institutes in Mumbai since 2018 From capturing fleeting moments to uncovering universal truths the 2025 edition reveals the depth of visual storytelling across cultures A case of two cities—both bona fide global cultural capitals—reveals insights on precarity in the creative industries In its fifth collaboration with the luxury brand evokes the experience of "walking on a Parisian street with a focus on the power of the sun to imagine a sustainable future for humanity Exclusive preview for subscribers. Learn More Make your fridays matter. Learn More © Copyright 2019-2025 STIR Design Private Limited Please confirm your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices Password must be 8 characters long including one capital letter By creating an account, you acknowledge and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy by STIR Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch Please enter your details and click submit Single account access for STIRworld.com,STIRpad.com and exclusive STIRfri content Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process by Devanshi Shah | Published on : Oct 25 completed by plus maizumi architect and ukei shimada architect & associates japanese clay tiles neatly tops the overhanging roof sitting onto of a curving wall made of vertical wood louvers the gentle curvature of this wall connects the street and architecture while the oversized clay roof invites natural light and views to the sky becoming the characteristic feature of the building a play in textures is expressed throughout the project the tiles seen on the roof are purposely charred unevenly to create a tonal effect while different variations of the japanese cypress wood have been used for the louvers in the curving wall the nosing at the stairs in front space is crafted from salvaged material from a recently closed quarry in ogawa machi to create a split-stone texture the combination of locally-sourced and japanese materials work together to foster a humble and inviting effect that inevitably attract the gazes of people walking by the japanese clay tiles have been charred to give an effect of a tonal contrast the space inside serves as commercial projects inside the building is composed o two storeys different tones of japanese cypress wood has been used for the louvers at night the structure is illuminated with LED the gentle curvature of this wall connects the street and architecture AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Entertainment company Kadokawa pulled out all the stops when planning this multifaceted complex, which opened in November 2020. Tokorozawa Sakura Town's highlights include an anime hotel, a Kadokawa company cafeteria accessible to the public, and a seriously impressive art, literature and natural history museum designed by starchitect Kengo Kuma. Decades ago, director Hayao Miyazaki was inspired to create My Neighbor Totoro from his memories of the Tokorozawa area in the Saitama Prefecture He is now lending his personal support to the city as it embarks on an ambitious plan to preserve the forests as an "Urban Green Park." Tokorozawa mayor Masato Fujimoto announced last Thursday that the city would spend 1.8 billion yen (US$13.4 million) which will involve buying back 3.5 hectares from landowners Miyazaki will be involved as a core member of the resident group and is donating 300 million yen (US$2.23 million) out of pocket The project needs a total of 2.6 billion yen (US$19.4 million) Studio Ghibli is also assisting with fundraising The studio will launch a crowdfunding campaign in September selling 1,000 sets of reproduced background art from My Neighbor Totoro A single set of five framed art pieces will cost 25,000 yen (US$186) The city will consider issuing a second or third batch depending on the demand known affectionately among residents as "Kaminoyama," has preserved around 7,000 trees It is situated near the Fuchi no Mori park known by many as "Totoro's Forest." It is part of the city's 27.2 hectare land readjustment project Fujimoto said that the inspiration for the initiative came in January 2018 when he and Miyazaki took a walk around the local area "This is the landscape that gave birth to Totoro It's because of this landscape that I live near here." Fujimoto also said that he wanted the citizens to be able to participate in the project in the form of crowdfunding instead of leaving the matter entirely to the city In the past, Miyazaki has personally volunteered in cleanup efforts around the forest and donated to preservation efforts Sources: Chunichi Shimbun (Hiroshi Nakazato), Yomiuri Shimbun via Crunchyroll News Get the full video and transcript featuring all the details below Teddie is back for a second appearance on Persona 25th Times I’m here as an ambassador again with some bear-y exciting news this is a program that will bring you various news about Persona‘s 25th anniversary across the span of a year… Persona 25th Times Episode three features a major offline event let’s start rolling out the big news An event commemorating Persona’s 25th anniversary “Persona 25th FES” has been confirmed Persona 25th FES will be held in Japan’s greatest pop cultural attraction complex you can enjoy the world of Persona throughout the entire Sakura Town complex The main stage will be at EJ Anime Museum which will feature exhibitions where you can explore the world of Persona You can get up close and personal with locations that appear in the Persona series This will be the first time Thanatos and Izanagi will be making a public appearance Three Personas of main protagonists assembling for the first time… this is gonna be one heck of a sight official merch will be sold at this exhibition original merch with newly-drawn art of the protagonists wearing store staff outfits will be sold in advance All of the facilities in the rest of Sakura Town will be all Persona‘d out too there’s so much to see that you could spend all day there even if you get exhausted from having too much fun there Original collab rooms will available during the event The Persona series protagonists will greet you dressed in hotel staff costumes why is Sensei doing all the heavy lifting? Take on various missions through a smartphone Persona 25th FES in Tokorozawa Sakura Town Tickets for the exhibition, which will be the main event, are on sale starting today! The official website and Twitter account open today as well Now it’s time to introduce some Persona 25th anniversary merch Persona 4 Arena Ultimax a video of the voice actor Ami Koshimizu playing Persona 4 Arena Ultimax was uploaded today There will also be a special program before the game’s release The voice actor Namikawa Daisuke will be making a guest appearance I’m excited to see Sensei make an appearance again SEGA Collaboration Event The collab cafe that was introduced in the previous Persona 25th Times is still running The available menu changes depending on when you go so be sure to check out the website for details you can enjoy taiyaki featuring various Persona characters SEGA Lucky Lottery Online sale is confirmed There will be a Persona 25th anniversary pop-up store opening up All the info shown here today can be found on the Persona 25th anniversary website we’ve got some very special news for everyone supporting Persona 25th Times Out of the original merch we introduced last time at Persona 25th Times, we’ll be giving out the very best items as a gift! Check out the Persona PR Twitter account (@p_kouhou) for details There’s a lot more Persona 25th Times coming up Keep an eye out for the next one (in April) Hope you all look forward to Persona 25th FES Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without acknowledgment of Gematsu is prohibited Use of this site is governed by all applicable laws Website by 44 Bytes is joining forces with Tesla Motors Japan LLC to introduce Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) superchargers to its stores capable of delivering a charge for 275 km within just 15 minutes will be installed at the FamilyMart Tokorozawa Inter Store in Saitama Prefecture marking a milestone in the Japanese convenience store industry We see a picture of a Tesla Model Y being charged at FamilyMart in the supplied photo This initiative follows a basic agreement reached between FamilyMart and Tesla regarding the installation of supercharger stations customers visiting the FamilyMart Tokorozawa Inter Store can utilize the first-ever Tesla EV supercharger in a Japanese convenience store FamilyMart has been leading the distribution and retail industry in advancing the installation of EV quick chargers since 2010 making them available at approximately 600 stores nationwide which automatically recharge the vehicle once plugged in is part of FamilyMart’s bid to improve customer convenience amid the growing popularity of electric vehicles in Japan Tesla vehicles currently boast a significant share of global sales FamilyMart plans not only to expand the number of superchargers across its stores but also to organize a variety of events including test drives utilizing the parking lots of its stores as points of interaction with Tesla The supercharger to be installed at the FamilyMart Tokorozawa Inter Store will comprise 4 superchargers capable of serving 4 vehicles The usage fee will range between 25 and 140 yen per minute there were 70 superchargers installed nationwide FamilyMart aims to be an essential location for communities by connecting with customers like a family bolstering support for the EV landscape in Japan .cls-3{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:4px;stroke-miterlimit:10}.cls-3{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:4px;stroke-miterlimit:10} Menu Close EN Region Contact Login Visiting Japan Those dolls are usually hand-made from natural materials like cotton and wood Every traditional Japanese family owns big sets of them All children the world over have their favorite dolls cuddle them and over time those dolls become confidants to the children they have been the only ones who could understand what the toddler is talking later on they are the only ones who could understand all the troubles that inevitably arise when growing up the role of the dolls is even more rigorously defined the dolls will suck up all the bad arising from the situation But life goes on and eventually childhood ends The dolls will be put somewhere into a remote corner of the house Eventually the question will arise how to discard them Traditional Japanese dolls"Thank you Dolls" packed with imagined answers to all the pressing questions while growing up the dolls to cry to late at night in bed after the grown-ups couldn't understand the real emotions triggering the tears of childhood over and over again - these most precious friends of those sweet but troubled days - where should they go Tokorozawa city takes the burnable garbage of every household to the incinerator But would you put your childhood memories next to orange peel and rotten yoghurt the garbage bags possibly being ripped open by hungry crows So were to put those precious dolls at the end of their life Shinmeisha Shinto Shrine in central Tokorozawa is one of the rare places in Japan that offers a solution There, on every first Sunday in June, the Ningyo Kuyosai (Doll Memorial Celebration) takes place. It's a ceremony designed to honorably depart from those beloved dolls, to give them a final arigato while saying sayonara. It is meant for all the dolls of all the Kanto region you can go to the Shinmeisha on every day during the year and hand your dolls in You pay a small fee and the shrine will take care of your dolls Only the most beautiful and traditional will be chosen for the June celebration But some of the strangest / most oversized Arriving at the shrine on that special Sunday morning you will see a big pyre of heavy logs with traditional Japanese dolls placed on them has already been prepared in the center of the shrine yard To the right is a stage and it is decorated with hundreds of dolls - both traditional Japanese and modern Big signs read "Many thanks to you dolls." Traditional or not those dolls all helped their owners a great deal to get through childhood and to grow up To the left is a makeshift counter and there you can any hand in any doll you want The dolls will be noted and you will receive a paper slip containing the name of your doll The soul of the doll thus is transferred to the paper slip which you can place into a wooden box at the pyre Burning the slip with your doll's name on it will do the same service as ceremonially burning the doll itself Traditional Japanese dolls will go to a sort of exhibition space right next to the reception counter while all the Hello Kitty Snoopy and so on will get unceremoniously dumped into a Tokorozawa city garbage container out of sight the paper slip has taken over the soul of the doll It will go into the fire and the soul of the doll will thus go to heaven no matter its origin people could just bring their dolls and throw them into the fire by themselves the number of dolls would just too big for a fire like that most modern dolls are made of plastic - and you can't burn huge amounts of plastic in the middle of a residential area Environmental laws are strict and force even ancient religious ceremonies to adapt At 11 am, two miko-san do a dance on the stage decorated with dolls to ancient Shinto music the high priest of the shrine will bless the dolls thanking the dolls for their invaluable services while calming their souls The head priest then lights the pyre with a torch Two men with water hoses keep the flames in check the beautiful old dolls on the pyre are engulfed by the flames The wonderful dresses of the small princesses light up in the red and yellow of final glory while their shiny black hair curls up in the heat The high priest lights the pyre at the Tokorozawa Doll Burning Festival Their demure faces remain unchanged until they are finally consumed by the fierce lick of the fire Small samurai soldiers heroically hold their swords upright while their bodies crumble to dust Miyamoto-cho 1-2-4Phone: 04-2922-3919 (in Japanese) Access: Seibu Shinjuku Line to either Tokorozawa Station or Kokukoen Station / Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Tokorozawa Station It takes about 15 minutes from Tokorozawa Station to the shrine Doll memorial ceremony: every first Sunday in June starting at 11 am.Dolls for collection are accepted every day during business hours Shinmeisha Shrine website: www.shinmeisha.or.jp (in Japanese). Good information on the shrine. Unfortunately, the location map provided by the website is confusing and not helpful at all.Google map of Shinmeisha Shrine Ikebukuro Nigo Rent a house in Tokyo Tokyo Game Show Activities in Tokyo Noh, Ancient Japanese Theatre Activities in Tokyo Climbing Mount Fuji Fujiyoshida Christmas markets in Tokyo Tokyo lights up to welcome Christmas markets that blend European traditions and Japanese ambience "Tsukimi” Moon Viewing at Hamarikyu Garden: Welcome the autumn season in Japan! Appreciate the autumnal moon in one of Tokyo's most beautiful gardens Tori no Ichi Festival: A Celebration of Fortune and Tradition in Tokyo a vibrant celebration of fortune and tradition has been an integral part of Tokyo's cultural landscape for centuries View more Japan has long a had a lively skateboarding scene, and the sport's inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics has raised its profile even further. Practice your own tricks or watch future Olympic hopefuls in action at Haole, which boasts a diverse line-up of miniramps and street obstacles. one of the last things I thought I’d do when I came to study in Japan was to harvest rice from a paddy field but that’s just what I did with the ICC on this trip and it will be one of the best memories I’ll have from my time studying here in Waseda and it was crazy how different it was to the main Waseda campus so removed from Tokyo and put right in the middle of nature We then went to one of the lecture halls and listened to some information by some of the people involved in the conservation of the wetlands and marshes around the area and still upcoming is digging for wild yams (contact the Natural Environmental Research Laboratory for more information!) on the way picking up our overalls/wellington boots We were then instructed how to cut the stalk of the rice plant with the sickle One piece of advice I will give: never be afraid to sign up for an ICC event No matter your level of Japanese or how able you think you maybe be for a certain activity everyone involved is always so nice and accommodating You’ll feel right at home with the warm energy everyone gives Coming from a farming background in Ireland even though I can’t say I’ve harvested rice before It was quite hard to walk through the thick mud of the paddy field at first thanks to the effort of everyone who came along and helped The mud race was a to get from one side of the rice field to the other first the difficult being that it’s not exactly easy to run in almost quicksand – like mud it was a priceless and fun memory nonetheless we headed back to the campus to wash off all the mud and clean off our gear we went to nearby the bus stop and had lunch and played games while waiting for our bus back it was the most fun day I’ve had in Japan yet and still holds the place of it being my favourite The Waseda University official website <<https://www.waseda.jp/inst/icc/en/>> doesn't support your system Please update to the newest version of your browser and try again Continue  Google ChromeWindows version 38 laterMacintosh version38 laterWebSite Fire FoxWindows version 33 laterMacintosh version 33 laterWebSite SafariWindows version 38 laterMacintosh version38 laterWebSite Internet ExplorlerWindows version 10 laterWebSite For hardcore fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe 29 at the EJ Anime Museum within the Kadokawa Culture Museum The exhibit was previously featured at Tokyo’s Mori Arts Center Gallery in April It’s been around since its 2014 inception in New York City stands for Scientific Training And Tactical Intelligence Operative Network When I found out I could get an up-close and personal look at some of my favorite characters from the Marvel Universe I ventured out on a Tuesday to the trendy entertainment complex of Tokorozawa Sakura Town A train ride from Fussa Station in western Tokyo put me at Higashi-Tokorozawa Station within an hour A 15-minute walk from there gets you to the building who ushered me to the second-floor ticket counter I took the stairs to the third floor where the exhibit is located or flash and absolutely no video are allowed After that I was led into a curtained room for a short Avengers-themed video briefing It included multi-screen footage of scenes from the Avengers movies and a familiar face on all the Avengers films Because this is the Avengers training facility I felt I was being prepared for Avenger status Each is sectioned off and numbered under “secure levels.”  a full-length figure of “Cap,” or Captain America along with video graphics of his statistics exploits and a couple true-to-life models of his famous vibranium shield A replica of Cap’s Harley-Davidson Street 750 motorcycle featured in “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” sits in this section I asked another visitor to photograph me on the bike I found an 8-foot-tall digital model of one of my favorite characters Two large re-creations of his hands rest on a podium with an interactive video screen between them Three modes allowed you to tap the screen to make the Hulk pose or do one of his signature moves An Iron Man interactive video is also available allowing me to suit up in both his regular armor and the Hulkbuster armor to fight off enemies had life-sized displays along with costumes weapons and video footage from the Avenger movies A lineup of Iron Man’s armor evolution; a giant display of the villainous Thanos and his Infinity Gauntlet in the Hall of Avengers; and Thor’s Mjolnir are among other things you will see on a visit Superhero fans will find all the hero characters they love at Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. and a few of the more sinister characters they may hate one of the alien creatures that attacked New York City in the first installment of The Avengers movies The walk-through ended with another multi-screen video sign-off by Agent Hill who dubbed me a new Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N Now I just needed to come up with an agent name for myself Directions: An hour train ride from Fussa Station to Higashi-Tokorozawa Station; 15-minute walk to the museum last entry at 5:30 p.m.; exhibit concludes Jan or about $12.94 for junior high school an below; pre-school age children admitted free This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history but it is no longer accessible to visitors This infamous house made famous by director Takashi Shimizu was used for all the movies in the series including Ju-On: The Grudge It is currently abandoned (possibly still owned by Shimizu or the film studio) and you are not allowed to be on the property It's still worth a visit if you are a horror film buff or just curious because you can still get rather close to the house.  Get off at Tokorozawa Station on the Seibu-Ikebukuro line or Seibu-Shinjuku line The farmhouse owned by the Danish author who wrote "Out of Africa" is now a museum honoring her legacy This private home is famous for appearing in the cult-classic "Twin Peaks" series The house where Good Will Hunting was written is a surreal fairytale abode An ultra-modern vista that has been featured in so many films the house is a celebrity in its own right Liechtenstein's royal family calls this medieval alpine castle home This Art Nouveau mansion was used as the "House of the Screaming Child" in Dario Argento’s giallo classic Resembling a 15th century medieval fortress this home once belonged to a legend of Mexican cinema This storybook New England home is actually a decommissioned lighthouse Even though the grand opening of the highly anticipated Tokorozawa Sakura Town in Saitama prefecture won’t happen until November 2020, the venue’s Kadokawa Culture Museum has partially opened on August 1 giving us a sneak preview of what’s on offer designed by world renowned architect Kengo Kuma creating a stunning asymmetrical facade that looks more science fiction than real life.  Two of the building’s five floors are now open meaning you can visit the museum’s extensive library filled with 25,000 books published by Kadokawa The publishing house is known for its manga and young adult novels.  The library’s on-site café, as well as the museum’s own coffee shop, the Kado Café, are both open now, plus you can visit the museum’s Grand Gallery. To commemorate the completion of the building, the first exhibition at the gallery is Kengo Kuma: The Birth of an Art Space Connected to Nature − Transcendent Architecture in Stone and Wood blueprints and videos explaining the concept design and construction method of the museum itself You’ll also learn about Kuma’s distinctive approach to architecture and the natural world through some of his other designs November will see the opening of the museum’s ‘bookshelf theatre’ featuring videos interactive displays and even projection mapping shows the building’s EJ (Entertainment Japan) Animation Museum which is dedicated to Japan’s world-conquering anime culture While we wait for the rest of the facilities to open, there’s still plenty to do outside the Kadokawa Culture Museum. In the adjacent Musashino Jurin Park, you can walk through teamLab’s new permanent digital art exhibition ‘teamLab: Resonating Life in the Acorn Forest’ check out the modernist Musashino Reiwa Shrine The ceiling boasts a stunning mural of a phoenix drawn by Yoshitaka Amanoshitaka while the pair of beautiful stone komainu (guardian lion-dogs) are made by sculptor Yoshimasa Tsuchiya Advance tickets are required for visiting the Grand Gallery. Online reservations for teamLab’s permanent installation get a ¥100 discount.  The next facility due to open at Tokorozawa Sakura Town will be the EJ Anime Hotel on October 1. Reservations can be made from September 1 via this website.  Read our guide on going out safely in Tokyo – or anywhere for that matter Go sightseeing around Tokyo on an open-roof double-decker bus with meals included Visit the virtual Pokémon theme park for games, Pikachu dance shows and Pokémon battles This new Starbucks in Ginza operates like a coworking space Shibuya’s Miyashita Park has reopened as a shopping mall with a rooftop park Sorry, gamers: Akihabara’s iconic Sega arcade will close at the end of August recently unveiled a total of 27 high-tech manhole covers featuring LED displays inspired by popular anime In an ingenious attempt to improve the image of the local sewer system and also hopefully prevent nighttime crime on the main boulevard of Tokorozawa the city’s Waterworks and Sewerage department recently installed a total of 27 new manhole covers illuminated by solar-powered LED lights and featuring anime-inspired designs and are the first manholes in Japan to feature LED lighting Photo: Tokyo-NP Artistic manhole covers were already an important part of Japanese culture This unique art form can be traced back to the 1980s when Japanese cities started making custom covers with designs inspired by the region’s cultural identity (mythology manhole covered art evolved to incorporate modern cultural elements like anime characters and local mascots Tokorozawa has come up with a way to incorporate techonology in manhole covers as well Every LED manhole cover is located next to its own solar panel The LED displays reportedly turn on automatically at 5 pm and remain lit until 2 in the morning The 27 high-tech manhole covers feature designs inspired by some of the world’s most popular anime series manholes in my country are lucky to have any covers at all… Saitama Prefecture--The Seibu Amusement Park reopened here on May 19 after a sweeping facelift to evoke nostalgic times with a bustling shopping street out of the 1960s and Godzilla brought to life off the silver screen there were still precautions against the novel coronavirus in place including temperature checks and sanitizing stations to jolt visitors back to the present Park-goers on opening day were welcomed by numerous shops flanking a street as well as a lively performance of a police officer apprehending a thief The "Godzilla the Ride" attraction allows visitors to board vehicles bearing a special armored car motif where they can watch a fierce battle between Godzilla and the three-headed King Ghidorah up close The attraction was designed by Takashi Yamazaki known for the “Always--3-chome no Yuhi” (Always--Sunset on Third Street) series The park also offers attractions themed on works by famed manga artist Osamu Tezuka in a family area including a roller coaster ride called “Astro Boy no Getsumen Ryoko” (Astro Boy’s Moon Trip) and a rotating ride titled “Tobe Although concerns were voiced about the reopening of the park during the COVID-19 pandemic operators stuck to their original schedule by putting in place an array of anti-virus measures Visitor numbers have dwindled to below 500,000 annually in recent years largely due to its aging attractions Astro Boy attractions to debut at Seibu Amusement Park People queue for farewell ride on beloved carousel as park closes Tokyo Disney Resort debuts new ‘Beauty and the Beast’ area Locomotive that possibly inspired ‘Demon Slayer’ film draws fans Local opposition has forced the Environment Ministry to delay the start of a trial on reusing soil that had been contaminated with radioactive fallout from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster The ministry wanted to begin the trial within this fiscal year soil collected in Fukushima Prefecture during decontamination work following the triple meltdown at the Fukushima No 1 nuclear power plant would be distributed to three sites in the Kanto region The government’s policy is to reuse the soil if its radioactivity level clears the safety threshold of 8,000 becquerels per kilogram to reduce the mountains of soil that will undergo final disposal around 13.41 million cubic meters of soil had been transported to interim storage facilities in the towns of Okuma and Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture after decontamination work A law dictates that the soil must undergo final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture by 2045 Sites for the final disposal have not been decided The ministry decided to conduct the trial of reusing such soil on the premises of ministry-related facilities in Tokyo local residents expressed strong opposition to the plan at the ministry’s explanatory meetings in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward and Saitama Prefecture’s Tokorozawa in December a neighborhood association consisting of residents living near the site of the trial adopted a resolution to oppose the plan The Tokorozawa mayor has also shown reluctance to accept the plan Asked if the ministry would go ahead with the trial despite the local opposition an official at the ministry’s environmental restoration and resources circulation bureau said: “We will continue explaining the project by “We don’t plan to go through a process to gain an agreement with local residents about the project so the ministry will make the final decision.” Sources said the ministry has already decided to postpone the trial It will continue holding explanatory meetings for residents in the three areas Saitama residents say ‘no’ to living near Fukushima soil Japan wants G-7 backing for plans on Fukushima water Ministry plans tests on reusing Fukushima soil in Tokyo area Radioactive waste stuck at 830 sites with nowhere to go Survey: Not a single prefecture backs reuse of radioactive soil Ministry to test growing veggies on cleansed soil in Fukushima No reproduction or republication without written permission.