Tokorozawa City in Saitama Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of aviation in Japan. From the Beruna Dome (Seibu Dome) to ruins, there are numerous sightseeing spots in the city. We have picked up some of the recommended places, so please refer to them if you are not sure where to go for fun♪
・Tokorozawa Sakuratown
Tokorozawa Sakura Town is a cultural complex that had its grand opening in November 2020. It is a joint project between Tokorozawa City and KADOKAWA Co., Ltd. that aims to create a town where nature and culture coexist (“COOL JAPAN FOREST Concept”).
First up is the Kadokawa Musashino Museum, designed by architect Kengo Kuma. The museum is a new type of facility that combines an art museum, library, and museum, and its rock motif exterior makes it an “attractive spot” as well.
Next, we will introduce Musashino Reiwa Shrine, which was built within the facility. It is a superb shrine, with Kengo Kuma designing the shrine pavilions, literary scholar Susumu Nakanishi, the inventor of the first name of the Japanese era (Reiwa), naming the shrine, artist Yoshitaka Amano painting the ceiling, and sculptor Yoshimasa Tsuchiya creating the guardian dogs. Amaterasu no Mikoto is enshrined as the main deity, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto is enshrined as the guardian deity.
・Nagayamon Noh Mask Museum
The museum is directed by Noh mask maker Motonari Fukuyama, and has a permanent collection of 20 masks. There is also a Noh mask making class, making this a very unusual spot.
The Nagayamon Noh Mask Museum is an old private house built at the end of the Edo period, and the building itself has a long history. The traditional Nagayamon gate at the entrance is one of the highlights of the museum. The museum is also said to have been visited by Captain Tokugawa, who made the first successful flight in Japan, as well as Captain Hino.
※For more information on opening dates and times, please visit the official website.
Tokorozawa Sakura Town (external site)
The World of Noh Mask Artist Motosei Fukuyama (external website)
References：Tokorozawa City Web Site No.170 Nagayamon Noh Mask Museum/ No.218 Tokorozawa Sakura Town
Click here to read about Asuka Kudo, a native of Saitama, Japan↓
text：Yukko
