Sprawling along the Edogawa River, Matsudo is a historic city that forms part of the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s home to a picturesque park and an intriguing city museum and is near Shibamata’s old-world streets and the elegant residence of Yamamoto-tei.

Things to do

Relax in the Forest and Park for the 21st Century, a sprawling green space in Matsudo’s Tokiwadaira area. It centres around a large pond and meandering stream where you can cool off during summer and is also home to colourful flower beds and picnic facilities.

Also within the park is the Matsudo City Museum, where you can discover the people and events that have shaped the city’s history. Admire ancient pottery unearthed in Matsudo and learn about the life of its residents following the completion of the Tokiwadaira Danchi residential complex.

Travel across the Edogawa River to explore the nostalgic streets of Shibamata, which is reminiscent of an old-world Tokyo townscape. Visit the 17th-century Shibamata Taishakuten temple and its 500-year-old Zuiryu-no-matsu pine tree, then wander across the wooden boardwalks through the pond garden of Suikeien.

Also nearby is the traditional Japanese house of Yamamoto-tei, which is surrounded by a stunning shoin-teien (dry landscape garden). Built in the 1920s, it elegantly combines characteristic Japanese architectural features with European elements that are most visible in the Taisho-Roman-style drawing room.

Getting around

Matsudo is around one hour by train from the centre of Tokyo and 10 minutes’ further from Haneda Airport. Taxis are the main means of getting around Matsudo, although many of the sights can be accessed on foot.