Tama and Inagi, two neighboring cities in Tokyo about 30 minutes from Shinjuku, offer both lush greenery and urban convenience. The area is packed with fascinating stories, including many spots associated with popular characters and iconic anime that almost everyone will recognize. It also offers plenty for people with a wide range of interests, from cycling and watching sports to simply relaxing, making it a great place to enjoy both active experiences and peaceful moments.
Sanrio Puroland, located near Tama Center Station and served by the Keio, Odakyu, and Tama Monorail lines, is one of Tokyo’s most popular theme parks and has long been a favorite in the area. Packed with Sanrio characters, the park offers spectacular parades and plenty of attractions. And because it’s entirely indoors, you can enjoy it even on rainy days.
From character meet-and-greets to exclusive merchandise and food, this world of all things “kawaii” continues to capture the hearts of fans from around the globe.
| Access | Tama Center Sta. (Keio, Odakyu, Tama Monorail) → Approx. 8 min walk |
| Business hours | Vary by day. *Please check the official website for details. |
| Regular holiday | No fixed holiday *Please check the official website for details. |
“Kawaii” isn’t limited to Sanrio Puroland! Why not take a stroll around Tama Center Station and enjoy a little treasure hunt as you search for three different Hello Kitty manhole covers?
Tama City is also home to the headquarters and studio of Nippon Animation. Near Seiseki-sakuragaoka Station, you can find a manhole cover featuring Rascal the Raccoon, one of the company’s best-known characters. Decorated with ginkgo leaves, representing the city’s official tree, its adorable design is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Seiseki-sakuragaoka served as a major inspiration for the backgrounds in Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed anime film “Whisper of the Heart.” As you explore the neighborhood, you’ll come across places such as Irohazaka Slope and Konpiragu Shrine that may remind you of scenes from the film.
At the west exit of Seiseki-sakuragaoka Station stands the “Seishun no Post,” a monument inspired by the world of the film. Write down a dream or goal you hope to achieve, drop it into the post, and make a wish for it to come true. You can also spot the Seishun no Post on the Rascal manhole cover, so be sure to look for it!
With popular cycling routes such as the Tama River Cycling Road and Minami-Tama One Kansen Road, Inagi City was part of the course for the cycling road race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The city has since developed various initiatives that build on this Olympic legacy. Inagi Cross, a popular cyclocross event, is also held along the Tama River.
Inagi also has plenty of stylish cycle cafes. At CROSS COFFEE near Yanokuchi Station, you can enjoy coffee and sandwiches while admiring your road bike, while ZEBRA Coffee & Croissant in Inagi Central Park is known for its giant croissants.
In addition, Inagi City is home to the professional soccer team Tokyo Verdy and the new farm-team home of the professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants, making the city a familiar destination for both soccer and baseball fans.
Inagi City is the hometown of renowned mechanical designer Okawara Kunio, best known for his work on Mobile Suit GUNDAM and many other anime series. Throughout the city, you’ll find monuments of iconic mecha characters, including GUNDAM, Char’s Zaku, SCOPE DOG from Armored Trooper VOTOMS, and YATTERWAN from Yatterman.
