While Tachikawa is a bustling metropolis nestled on the western outskirts of Tokyo, the area is best-known for its tranquil public park. Admire cherry blossom trees and other lush foliage in its natural attractions, visit a family-friendly museum or learn more about Japan’s culture in a historic shrine.

Things to do

Start your exploration of Tachikawa with a stroll through Showa Memorial park, which spans over 160 hectares. You’ll find a colourful display of floral varieties in its seasonal gardens, a children’s play area, boating lake and cycling tracks.

If you’re interested in the Antarctic research, visit the Polar Science Museum. The museum showcases informative displays on meteorology, geology and glacier motion and boasts one of the largest meteorite collections in the world.

If you’re travelling with the kids, explore the 52-hectare Tama Zoological Park to see the exotic animals wandering freely in natural environments. Stroll through the African, Australian and Asiatic gardens to see around 350 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, then ride the lion bus to marvel at the pride of lions up close.

Get a dose of Japanese history at the Suwa Shrine, which dates back to 811 and is considered one of the oldest shrines in existence. Here you can see exquisite relief carvings, detailed guardian lion-dogs and a famous pair of “komainu” lion statues.

Getting around

The easiest way to get around Tachikawa is by foot, bus or taxi. Tachikawa sits on three railway lines, JR Chou, Nambu and Tama Toshi, so it’s easy to travel to nearby cities, such as Tokyo.