Online Tour of Tokyo's Machida City! History, Culture, and Amazing Farm Products

Machida, a City Full of Nature and Cultural Spots

Photo by Pixta

Machida, a city located in western Tokyo, can be accessed in about 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station. A residential area known for its farms, historical temples, and museums, Machida is the ideal destination for a leisurely weekend outing.

If you've already visited Tokyo's major destinations, why not explore some of its lesser-known gems such as Machida during your next trip?

To help you prepare for your future Tokyo visit, a group of guides from Machida are holding online tours in English introducing the places that shouldn't be missed out on.

Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

Tour highlights include a local farm that makes the famous Machida Silk Melons, Buaiso, the Former Residence of the Shirasu Family, and a temple remarkable for its magnificent wooden carvings.

We introduce the content of the tours in more detail below, along with tour dates and application procedures.

Check details and apply for a virtual tour of Machida

Machida Online Tour Highlights

Buaiso, the Former Residence of the Shirasu Family. Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

One of the famous Machida destinations introduced in this tour is the Buaiso Villa. This used to be the residence of Shirasu Jiro (1902-1985), a Cambridge-educated bureaucrat who worked as an advisor for the prime minister in post-war Japan. Shirasu Masako (1910-1998), his wife, was an essayist and collector of fine arts, including kimonos and tea ceremony utensils.

Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

Buaiso is an old thatched-roof house where Mr. and Mrs. Shirasu lived. The facility is currently open as a museum that exhibits the favorite items of the Shirasu family. The couple cherished traditional Japanese culture and preferred the warmth of handmade artisanal objects.

Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

During the tour, you'll be able to see some of the precious exhibits inside the villa. You'll most surely want to visit in person someday to admire each object in detail!

Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

Another Machida landmark that will take your breath away is Seisuiji Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple with a history spanning several centuries. Two of the buildings on the temple precincts have been designated Tangible Cultural Properties of Machida City.

These temple structures are decorated with intricate wooden carvings of mythological creatures.

The tour guides will explain some of the details that deserve particular attention when looking at these magnificent carvings.

Machida Silk Melon. Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

The tours will also feature a famous local specialty: Machida Silk Melons. The city is well-known for its farms and delicious local produce but these melons have been gathering a lot of attention in recent years. Machida Silk Melons are grown through a special farming method perfected in this city.

The melons are grown suspended in the air, making sure that all the nutrients are absorbed by the fruit. The result is a melon that is silky-smooth, juicy, and sweet.

The tour guides will show you around Machida Silk Farm. You'll be able to actually see how the melons are cultivated in the air.

Picture courtesy of Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau

The tours include other exciting locations in Machida such as Onoji-juku Satoyama Community and Visitor Center, located in a renovated traditional building, and Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori, a local product shopping center.

Other famous destinations in Machida that are popular with visitors from outside the city include the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Serigaya Park with its Pokemon-themed manhole covers, Machida Squirrel Garden, and more!

Check details and apply for a virtual tour of Machida

Machida Tour Details and How to Apply

The Machida online tours will be held as follows:
1. Machida online tour on January 29, 9:30 - 10:30 (Japan time)
2. Machida online tour on February 19, 9:30 - 10:30 (Japan time)

The fee for taking part in one of these tours is 1,100 yen.

Residents in Japan can also apply for variants of these tours that include having Machida specialty products delivered to them at home; the fee for the tours that include products is 3,500 yen. Please visit the Machida online tour project page for more details.

The tours will be held in English using Zoom, so please make sure to use a stable internet connection.

Machida Yakushiike Park in spring. Photo by Pixta

We hope you enjoy one of the Machida online tours and that you'll take the next occasion to visit these places in person next time you come to Japan.

Check details and apply for a virtual tour of Machida

The main image shows Machida's Yakushiike Park in spring when the plum blossoms are in bloom. Photo by Pixta.
Sponsored by Machida City Tourism & Convention Bureau