Shibamata and a Sushi Class in One Day

Shibamata, in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward, is one of the best places to see the city's old shitamachi (downtown) atmosphere. A short street of traditional shops leads from the station to a temple famous for its wood carvings, and nearby there is a 1920s merchant's house with a garden, a museum about a beloved film series and a river where a hand-rowed ferry still crosses.

It is also close to Asakusa by train, which makes it easy to combine with our sushi class on the same day. This guide covers the journey, what to see, opening times and three plans that work.

Getting from Asakusa to Shibamata

The quickest route starts at Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line. This is a different station building from Tobu Asakusa, which is next to our studio, so allow a few minutes to walk between them.

Many Toei Asakusa Line trains continue onto the Keisei Oshiage Line towards Keisei Takasago. At Keisei Takasago you change to the short Keisei Kanamachi Line for one stop to Shibamata. Depending on the train, you may also need to change at Oshiage or Aoto. The route planner Ekitan gives about 30 minutes and ¥380 with an IC card for the fastest option.

Leaving from our studio, plan on roughly 40 minutes door to door, and check a route planner on the day for the best connection.

What to see in Shibamata

Shibamata is compact. Most sights are within a short walk of the station, and you can see the main ones in two to three hours.

• Taishakuten Sando: the approach street from the station to the temple. GO TOKYO describes it as lined with traditional shops selling toasted rice crackers and dango made from rice flour. Kusa dango, a green herb-flavoured dumpling served with sweet bean paste, is a favourite snack along the street.
• Shibamata Taishakuten (Daikyoji Temple): a temple of nearly 400 years, known for the detailed relief carvings on its main hall, based on stories from the Lotus Sutra. According to the Katsushika tourism guide, the temple grounds are open 9:00 to 18:00, and a combined ticket for the carving gallery and Suikeien garden costs ¥400 for adults. The garden is closed from December 28 to January 3, when the gallery stays open at a reduced price. Admission to the gallery and garden is 9:00–16:00, with closing at 16:30, according to the temple itself.
• Yamamoto-tei: a merchant's house from the 1920s that mixes Japanese and Western architecture, with a highly rated Japanese garden. The city's visitor page lists 9:00 to 17:00 and ¥100 admission. Its tearoom serves matcha and coffee with a view of the garden.
• Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum: dedicated to the long-running Otoko wa Tsurai yo films, set in Shibamata, with dioramas and a miniature model of the town as it was in the 1950s. The city's page lists 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30), ¥500 for adults, and an 8-minute walk from Shibamata Station. A combined ticket with Yamamoto-tei is available.
• Yagiri no Watashi: a small, hand-rowed ferry across the Edogawa River, also mentioned by GO TOKYO. It does not run every day in every season, so check before you plan around it.

Closures to check: the Tora-san Museum and Yamamoto-tei both close on the third Tuesday of each month (the next weekday if that Tuesday is a public holiday) and from the third Tuesday to Thursday of December. Avoid those days if they matter to you.

Plan 1: Morning class, then Shibamata in the afternoon

This is the most reliable plan for one day. You start at the studio with no train to catch first, and the sushi you make covers lunch.

On many dates our signature sushi and matcha class has a 10:00 session. It lasts about 90 minutes, so you can be on the train to Shibamata by around midday and arrive in the early afternoon. That leaves time for the temple, the carving gallery and garden (enter before 16:00; closing at 16:30), a cup of tea at Yamamoto-tei and kusa dango on the way back to the station.

Because you will have eaten a full sushi meal, a dango or two is plenty until dinner.

Plan 2: Shibamata in the morning, class in the late afternoon

The museums and garden open at 9:00, and the approach street is calm early in the day. Start in Shibamata, return to Asakusa in the early afternoon and join a later session. On the dates we checked, the class also ran at 16:00 and 18:00; see the booking calendar for your date.

If you choose this plan:

• Leave a margin. Aim to arrive at the studio 10 minutes before the start, and allow for a missed connection at Keisei Takasago.
• Go easy on lunch. The class includes a full sushi meal, so a light snack in Shibamata is enough. Our guide to planning meals around the class explains how to pace your eating.
• Know the cancellation terms. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the class. After that, and for no-shows, the full price is charged. If a train delay will make you late, contact us as soon as you can. See our guide to cancelling or rescheduling.

Plan 3: Shibamata and the class on separate days

If you have several days in Tokyo, give Shibamata a slow half day of its own and book the class on a day you are already around Asakusa. Our guide to how long the class takes in your itinerary shows the full time block, including arrival and getting back out to sightseeing.

Shibamata compared with other old neighbourhoods

Shibamata has a similar retro feel to Yanaka, but it is further out and more focused on one temple street. Yanaka is closer to Asakusa and better if you only have a couple of spare hours. Because the Shibamata route passes Oshiage, you can also combine the day with Tokyo Skytree on the way back.

Practical tips

• Bring an IC card or some cash. Small shops on the approach street may prefer cash.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The temple grounds, garden paths and riverbank involve a fair amount of walking.
• Check the weather. Most of Shibamata is outdoors. If rain is forecast, do the class that day and save Shibamata for a dry one.

Choosing your plan

• One day, prefer certainty: a morning class, then an afternoon in Shibamata.
• One day, early riser: Shibamata in the morning, then a later session with a margin.
• Several days: Shibamata on its own, the class on an Asakusa day.

When you have picked your day, check the sessions and book the sushi and matcha class at a time that fits around your trip to Shibamata.