Katsushika City of Sightseeing・Hot Springs・Day-trip Bathing Shibamata Taishakuten

Top 3 highlights

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  1. An awe-inspiring sculpture gallery

  We were able to view up close the ten relief carvings that adorn the walls of the Taishakudo Hall. These artworks, which depict stories from the Lotus Sutra in three dimensions, were completed from the late Taishō to the early Shōwa period by master craftspeople of the time competing in skill. Making the most of the zelkova wood grain, the carvings have such depth and power that it’s hard to believe they were carved from a single board; the more you look into the details, the more their precision takes your breath away. I felt they are highly valuable not only as Buddhist art, but also as a crystallization of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

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  2. The beautiful Japanese garden “Suikeien”

  After passing through the sculpture gallery, what opens up before you is the pond-stroll garden “Suikeien,” whose landscaping began in the early Shōwa period and took about 40 years to complete. It expresses the beauty of a natural ravine and, true to its name, exudes a deep, tranquil atmosphere. Sitting on the veranda of the Great Guest Hall and gazing at the garden felt as if I were looking at a painting. We visited in early autumn; the green trees were beautiful, and the scenery reflected in the pond was splendid. The beautiful vistas colored by seasonal flowers and trees soothe visitors’ hearts and make them forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

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  3. A stroll along the atmospheric approach path

  We walked the approach of about 200 m that leads from Keisei Shibamata Station to Shibamata Taishakuten. This street, which still retains its old-time charm, is lined with shops selling the famous kusa dango and long-established restaurants serving river fish cuisine. Savory aromas drifted from the storefronts, and just walking along made my heart leap. Known also as a setting for the film “Otoko wa Tsurai yo,” this approach lets you enjoy snacking and shopping while immersing yourself in the world of Tora-san. It’s a place where you can fully savor a somewhat nostalgic downtown atmosphere.