Tokyo Bay area is home to a variety of amusement facilities. This area is also dotted with historical sites including ancient sites from the Jomon era (10,000 B.C.-4th century B.C.) and the Edo era (1603-1867). Why not stroll around the coastal area and see these other aspects of Tokyo while enjoying the soothing sea breeze?
*Click here to download the useful Omori/Oimachi Walking Map!!
Get off at Keikyu Heiwajima Station and go to east. After a 15-minute walk, you will reach Omori Furusato no Hamabe Park (Beach Side Park) with its lovely white sand beach. The factories along the shore make an interesting contrast with the sea and seagulls. In the past, the cultivation of nori (seaweed), which is dried and used for nori-maki or sushi wrapped in laver, prospered in this area. The Omori Nori Museum has displays depicting the nori cultivation and offers hands-on activities of drying and making laver. (Instruction is in Japanese only)
There are large parks and other entertainment facilities stretching along the vast shores of the bay. Heiwajima Natural Hot Spring spa is located in Big Fan Heiwajima. About 150 tons of water a day springs from the 2,000-meter underground spring. Big Fan Heiwajima is also home to cinema theaters and the well-known discount store Don Quijote. Free shuttle service is available from Keikyu Heiwajima Station.
Shinagawa Aquarium in Shinagawa Kumin Park is home to about 10,000 creatures representing 450 species. The wonderful performances by the dolphins and sea lions should not be missed.
Oi Horse Race Track was built in 1950 and is the only local horse race track in Tokyo. (Other tracks are located in central Japan.) It has a nostalgic, retro atmosphere and attracts many couples, young women and families. In particular, the Twinkle Races held in the evening under lights are very popular. (Race schedules are subject to change so check the schedule via the website or call beforehand. The web site and phone inquiries are available in Japanese only.) Free shuttle service is available from JR Oimachi, Omori and Kinshicho Stations.
Head for Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station. The road parallel to the Daiichi Keihin Route is the old Tokaido Road. Japan’s first beer was made around here. The area around Samezu Station has a retro feel with its old shops and buildings and walking along the Katsushima Canal is enjoyable. Movie director Akira Kurosawa was born nearby.
Around Aomono-yokocho Station, there are venerable temples such as Honsen-ji Temple, famous for a large jizo statue that is one of the six famous jizo statues of Edo (now Tokyo), and Kaiun-ji Temple. If you turn east, you will reach Shinagawa Seaside Station on the Rinkai Line. The expansive Aeon supermarket is near the station. If you turn west from Aomono-yokocho and go up the slope, you will arrive at Oimachi Station, terminal for JR, Tokyu and Rinkai Railways. Shopping malls are all around the station and large shops such as Ito Yokado supermarket, Labi electric appliance store, Atre department store, and Hankyu Oimachi Garden shopping complex.
Old Tokaido Road
Old Shinagawa-juku, a post station town, stretches from Keikyu Kitashinagawa Station to Aomono-yokocho Station. Stroll around the old shops and venerable temples, and, if you get tired, relax in one of the rest areas. Ebara Shrine is famous for its dynamic Tennosai festival and Shinagawa Shrine is famous for its annual festival in which large portable shrines are paraded through the town and for its Fuji-zuka, a miniature version of Mt. Fuji.
Shinagawa Historical Museum
Culture and history of Shinagawa City
Omori Shell Mounds
Edward Morse, an American zoologist, discovered a shell mound when looking out the window of the train he was riding from Omori to Shinagawa in 1877. A number of earthenware, stoneware, shells and animal bones thought to be from the Jomon era (about 3,000 years ago) were excavated from the site.
Tokyo-ko Yacho Park (Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park)
With more than 120 kinds of wild birds, this huge park is a mecca for bird watchers.
Suzugamori Execution Grounds
In the Edo era, Suzugamori was one of the two execution grounds in Edo.
Yakatabune (Houseboat)
Houseboat cruises were first enjoyed by aristocrats in the Heian era (794-1192). The Shinagawa Tourism Association has programs of live performances by Edo-style entertainers and traditional performing arts while cruising. Because it is a ride-share system, prices are affordable.
