Green and leafy, but with an urban edge, Musashino is the perfect place to see the cherry blossoms bloom in spring and leaves change colour in autumn. The vibrant city is located just 20 kilometres from the centre of Tokyo and is brimming with parks, ancient temples, tempting cuisine and pop culture.
Things to do in Musashino
Visit the city’s most impressive Buddhist temples on the Musashino Seven Lucky Gods Tour. Learn about Japan’s traditional folk beliefs and experience the tranquil sanctuary of Musashino Hachimangu Shrine, one of the most important places of worship for the local people.
Discover the history and science behind animation at the Ghibli Museum. Dedicated to the legendary Studio Ghibli, the museum is described as a “portal to the storybook world” and features an enchanting maze of spiral staircases, bridges and balconies. Learn about the process of creating animation films, watch exclusive films and meet characters from popular Japanese films, such as “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro”.
Stroll through Inokashira Park, a botanical garden featuring an oriental pond and Japanese Shinto shrine surrounded by cherry blossoms and maple trees. Admire elaborate statues found throughout the park or soak up the tranquil scenery while pedalling around the pond.
Treat the family to a day at Inokashira Park Zoo, where you can get up close to Asian elephants and tropical birds. Meet native monkeys and racoons and pat guinea pigs and squirrels, before venturing into the forest to spot Yaku deer roaming freely in the centre of the zoo.
Getting around Musashino
Musashino is a 45-minute drive or 1.5-hour bus journey from Haneda Airport. Once in Musashino, travelling by foot, bus and bicycle are popular options. Regular trains run between Musashino and Tokyo, as well as the nearby neighbourhoods of Mitaka, Kichijoji and Musashisakai.