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Explore as you like!
Let’s explore the city on a bike.
Pottering refers to relaxed cycling, similar to taking a walk. Just as the word “potter” indicates, it means something leisurely, rather than sports cycling that emphasizes long distance or speed. A bicycle can be more than just a mode of transportation – hop on one and enjoy the outdoors? Explore at your leisure, and you’ll discover charming new spots outside of your daily routine.
Tokyo Ventos / Mr. Yasuhiro Nito
Mr. Nito is the team manager at “Tokyo Ventos”, a professional road cycling race team based in the Tama area. “Tachikawa is the central city of the Tama area, and is also a city where a lot of cycling races take place. For city cyclists, Tachikawa is also an entrance to the field,” says Mr. Nito. He is promoting a healthier lifestyle with sports cycling in the Tama area, a city blessed with both natural and urban charms, and aims to make his team something locals can be proud of. In addition, at their office/shop in Tachikawa Sozosha by the Tama River, they provide cyclists a space to rest and exchange information. They also host “Tachi Potter”, an event to help others explore Tachikawa on a bike. Bike rental is also available.
Healthy bread baked without yeast
Bakery Dragée
Bakery Dragee is a popular bakery with a red roof in Takamatsucho. They offer over 60 varieties of bread baked without yeast. From hard to soft breads and Danishes, you can enjoy a wide variety of textures. Stop by for a snack while you’re pottering.
Recommended takeaway options
Right: Bacon and Avocado Sandwich with avocado salad made with bacon, tomatoes, lettuce and wasabi in a bun made with stone-ground Nagano bran. 310yen(tax included)
Left: Quiche is made with croissant dough crust and bacon and seasonal vegetables. Only offered on Saturdays and Sundays. 300 yen (tax included)
Strictly MADE IN JAPAN
Original handmade leather crafts
OJAGA DESIGN TACHIKAWA
OJAGA DESIGN TACHIKAWA is an original leather craft shop situated in front of Tachikawa Kumano-jinja shrine. They offer exclusively MADE IN JAPAN products – they dye, cut and sew their products, creating attractive designs with unique warmth and characteristics. You are sure to find something you like.
You can use it to put your cycling tools
or as a mini pouch.
ovavelo03 12,960 yen (tax included)
Have a splendid cup of coffee
At a specialized coffee shop nestled along a lush waterway
Roasted Coffee Shop Mamekichi
If you need to take a break from pottering, head over to this specialized coffee shop & cafe on a quiet alleyway by Tamagawajosui Headrace. Their rare, hot air roaster gives the coffee a deep flavor and a light finish. On sunny days, why not enjoy a cup of bliss in the lush terrace?
Hike up the one and only mountain in Tachikawa
Mt. Kompira
Do you know Mt. Konpira, the only mountain in Tachikawa? This 15-meter tall mountain is manmade. Kompira Daigongen and Fuji Sengen-jinja shrine stand at the summit and Akiba-jinja shrine is situated on its slope. Kompira Bridge over the nearby Tamagawajosui Headrace is named after this mountain as well. Climb up the moss-covered stone stairs to make a wish.
Let the kids run around!
Mikagebashi Park
The park near the Mikage Bridge over Tamagawajosui Headrace is full of equipment for kids to play, such as Tarzan ropes and pool area. It’s great for kids, which makes this a great destination if you are going on a family pottering trip.
Potter to enjoy the sense of history
Zelkova trees along Itsukaichi-kaido Ave
When the Tamagawajosui Headrace was constructed along Itsukaichi-kaido Ave, zelkova trees were planted to protect nearby residents from the wind. Together with Kominka(the traditional houses) in the area, the tall zelkova trees immerse you in the area’s charming history.
Find the freshest local produce at this local hangout
Farmers’ Center Minore Tachikawa
This shop offers local produce, meats and products directly from the producers. With their motto of “Safe and Secure”, they offer the freshest vegetables with the names of the producers on the labels. In addition to touristic items and local products, plants and flowers are also available. You can explore seasonal blossoms or take a break on the grassy area in a cozy shade under the trees.
Tandem cycling for two
The bike rental shop at Showa Kinen Park has tandem bikes for two people to enjoy cycling on the same bike. The park also has a 14km-long cycling course for anyone who wants to explore.
Almost there! Feel the wind
Chuo Nanboku Line Ave.
Chuo Nanboku Line Ave. connects Showa Kinen Park straight to Itsukaichi-kaido Ave. With cherry trees along the street, there is something special about cycling through a long, straight street.
Up for world-class art hopping?
Faret Tachikawa
There are 109 unique pieces of public art by 92 artists from 36 countries at Faret Tachikawa, which is located in a former American base. The parking sign by Takashimaya Department Store is by American artist Robert Rauschenberg, made from his old bike and decorated with neon lights.
*The area is small enough to walk around and there are art pieces on the deck and sidewalks. Please park your bike at the parking area to enjoy the art.
Takeaway handmade bread
and Neapolitan-style pizza
baked in brick oven
Bakery & café BAKUBAKU
The bakery offers a wide variety of delicious handmade bread made by the people working at the adjacent Tachikawa Welfare Workshop. In 2016, they installed a brick pizza oven to make their Neapolitan-style pizza. There is a corner where you can taste their freshly-baked goods as well.
Recommended takeaway options
Right: BAKUBAKU Burger is a healthy yet satisfying burger made with 100g of chicken. 280 yen (tax included)
Left: Teritama Sandwich is a French toast-like sandwich made with teriyaki chicken and egg with sprinkles of black pepper for added kick. 280 yen (tax included)
A former elementary school facility
turned into a great base
for culture, art and sports
Tachikawa Sozosha
The former Tamagawa Elementary School facility turned into a base for cultural activities. They host events like “Hokago (after school) theater” to connect theatrical arts with locals and a film commission to rent out a shooting space.
Tachikawa Sozosha, Mr. Shigeya Yo
Mr. Yo is the chief manager of Tachikawa Sozosha. They run a variety of programs, working closely with locals based on 4 pillars; “Incubation Center Project”, which provides co-working and event spaces, hosts workshop events, and helps disseminate information through a support network; “Film Commission Project”, which provides filming spaces using the former school facilities; “Cycle Station Project”, which is co-managed with Tokyo Ventos; and “Community Design Project” which promotes urban design through art, culture and cycle sports.
Tamagawa Cycling Road: A ride to feel the sky and the wind
Tamagawa Cycling Road
Tamagawa Cycling Road is a 60km-long cycling course from the head of the Tamagawa River to Hamura Shusuiguchi. Many cyclists call it “Tama Cy” for short. If you’re not up for the whole route, a short cycle around your favorite area is just as pleasant.
Make sure to check the road sign when you are lost!
The Tamagawa Cycling Road is not just a straight street, but rather a few cycling routes connected to each other. On the “Tama River 50km” course, you can find signs with distances and maps, so if you want to know where you are or how far you’ve cycled, look for one nearby.
Come enjoy the bike trial park!
Tachikawa Wakuwaku BTR Square
A “bike trial” is a sport where people cycle through “sections” filled with natural or artificial obstacles without their feet touching the ground. Here, anyone can practice for free, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider. It’s entertaining to see great riders practise!
Relax in lush nature
Negawa Green Way
Negawa Green Way is close to the cycling road near the Tama River, and has lush nature with a wide variety of plants where carp fish and kingfishers can be found. Come sit on the bench here and unwind. It is also a great sakura viewing spot during springtime.
Fun for kids, fun for adults
Tachikawa Park Ganigara Square
This is a square opened in April 2017 on the north side of Shibasaki Civic Gym. The name was inspired by the crabs that used to live in this area. You can see a variety of plants by the water, and outdoor equipment like jungle gyms and Tarzan ropes for kids.
Always fresh and fluffy
A bakery that makes you smile
Crown Bakery Tachikawa Branch
The bakery offers a wide variety of buns and pastries to choose from. They bake 4 to 5 times a day to offer their customers the freshest bread all day long. It’s a great post-pottering spot to enjoy a delicious bun in the café corner or to get some souvenirs to take home. The friendly staff will surely to bring a smile to your face too.
Recommended takeaway options
Right: Country Sandwich with homemade egg salad, bacon, cucumber, tomato, greens. 324 yen (tax included)
Left: Chicken and Leek Burger features grilled chicken with sweet and sour sauce topped with sesame seed oil-flavored leek. 378 yen (tax included)
