Tokyo is a massive city in Japan, and it contains multiple cities within it. The tourists who go there have so many places to choose from it could be hard to set a good schedule. Some places in Tokyo don’t get as much notoriety as others, so in this article, we will look at Machida.

Machida is a medium-sized city in the Western part of Tokyo. It is next to Kanagawa prefecture and is near to all the major areas of Tokyo. It receives a bad reputation from some of the people from other cities for having some bad elements, but it is a very peaceful city with some interesting sights and history.

Machida village was created in 1889 and was accepted into Tokyo city in 1893. It has nine universities in its city limits, and a large number of schools to tend to its population of over 500,000 people. There have been a few famous people from the area, and the town has been used as the basis for the first Pokémon games. There are two major sports teams and they have recently added a third.

Here are a few places in Machida that you should consider when looking for things to do there.

Machida Squirrel Garden

The Machida squirrel park is located about fifteen minutes from the main station. It houses many squirrels in a closed area. Tourists can enjoy walking among the squirrels and feeding them by hand, with an oven mitt on for protection, and the animals aren’t afraid of humans. They will gladly interact with people if they receive their treats as a reward. They have other small animals there, such as rabbits, turtles, insects, and small reptiles. It opens throughout the year and is a wonderful attraction for those wanting a unique experience in Japan.

Buaiso Museum

If you are looking to see the traditional side of Japan this museum will make for a wonderful time. It has one of the last remaining thatch roofs in the country and is near the station. The museum contains pieces from old Japan and showcases the items with as much authenticity as possible. There is a café on the museum grounds as well, and it is known for its traditional Japanese meals.

Tadao Park

A short walk from the station will lead you to a relaxing area of green trees and beautiful flowers. It’s a perfect area for picnicking and just to relax and enjoy nature. If you want to see the peaceful side of Machida it would be hard to find a better place.

Grandberry Mall

This mall in Minami Machida was closed in 2016 and reopened in 2019. It has been completely remodeled from its original design. The new stores and look are great to see and experience. If you want to do some shopping this is the best place in the area outside of the shopping area at the main station.

Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts

This museum showcases over 30,000 pieces of art from Japan and other western parts of the world. It is walking distance from the station and is open throughout the year. It was originally opened in 1987 and was one of the few museums dedicated to printed artworks. They have special events and lectures from time to time, and they are interested in introducing art and its many forms to the people. You can enjoy the on-site café as well, and walk around the outside area that showcases a few pieces of art.

Machida Nakamise Shopping Street

Adjacent to the station is the Nakamise shopping street. It is tucked inside a walkway in the main shopping area near the station. They have a large number of stores crammed next to each other and offer some interesting shops to sift through. You may be able to find some secret gems tucked away on the store shelves. There are a few foods stands near the south exits that serve fresh-made sweets and fried foods. You can find a nice place to have a drink with the locals there as well. You can get all the things you’re looking for in the area if you want to find some good souvenirs to take home.

Snoopy Museum

People may not know this, but Snoopy is extremely popular in Japan. You find all kinds of merchandise with the character emblazoned across it. Since there was a large level of popularity, a Snoopy museum was opened. The museum is completely dedicated to all things created by Charles Schulz. They have some original prints of the comic strip, and all the Peanuts merchandise available. The new location at Grandberry mall has given the museum more space to house, even more, artwork and paraphernalia.

There are other sights to see in the city, and it is also known as a ramen town. Some of the ramen shops in Machida serve some of the best ramen in the city. You can easily find something you will enjoy in Machida, and since the city is near to the other more popular areas of Tokyo, it is an ideal place to make hotel reservations. Machida is an interesting place that can give you many aspects of Japanese life, all you need to do is go there and experience it for yourself.