The TV drama series about Shibusawa Eiichi, "Seiten wo Tsuke" began in 2021. Eiichi Shibusawa was born in Chiaraijima, Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture. It is located near the Tone River in the city, and across the river is Gunma Prefecture. There are still many farm fields in this area, so that you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere even in Fukaya City.
It might be a good idea to visit the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum, the birthplace of Eiichi Shibusawa, the birthplace of Atsutada Odaka, and the Kashima Shrine, etc.
About the Taiga Drama Museum
Location: 20-2 Naka-machi, Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (February 16, 2021, to January 10, 2022)
Admission: Adults 800 yen, Students 400 yen
Directions:
From JR Fukaya Station, you can take a local bus to the community center. If you want to go by walk, take the north exit of JR Fukaya Station toward City Hall, turn right at the end of Fukaya Elementary School, and turn left at the traffic light of Joshi Park. When you get to that area, you will see the library and find the museum/community center.
The community center has a relatively large parking lot. If you plan to visit places related to Eiichi Shibusawa in Fukaya City, it will be more convenient to drive there.
Inside the museum
You can take photos inside the museum, except for some exhibits.
There is a gift store just outside the museum.
Places to visit around the Taiga Drama Museum
Fukaya Castle Site Park
Fukaya Castle Site Park is right across the street from the Taiga Drama Museum. Fukaya City is a place noted in connection with the Uesugi family, and Fukaya Castle was founded by Fusanori Uesugi, a feudal lord in the Sengoku period. The castle Site park is an excellent place to walk.
Location: 17 Motosumi-cho, Fukaya City, Saitama 366-0823
Fukaya Station
JR Fukaya Station is on the Takasaki Line. There is a statue of Shibusawa Eiichi in front of the station, and the parking lot is free of charge for 30 minutes.
Since the JR Fukaya station is also a stop of the limited express, it is convenient when coming from Tokyo using the limited express. However, many local trains terminate at Kagohara Station, one station before Fukaya, so please check the train schedule.
Location: 1-1 Nishijima-Cho, Fukaya City, Saitama 366-0824, Japan
Highlights of Fukaya City
Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Hall
The Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum is located about six kilometers from JR Fukaya Station.
Inside the museum, you can see a reference library and Shibusawa Eiichi's android. There is also a bronze statue of Shibusawa Eiichi on the opposite side of the parking lot.
Location: 1204 Shimotebaka, Fukaya, Saitama 366-0002
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
Admission: Free
Parking: 179 spaces (free of charge)
Eiichi Shibusawa's birthplace (former Shibusawa Residence )
Shibusawa Eiichi's birthplace is located about 500 meters away from the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum. There is a parking lot, but it is not much bigger than Memorial Hall.
Location: 247-1 Chiaraijima, Fukaya City, Saitama 366-0006
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
Admission: Free
Parking: Available (free of charge)
Atsutada Odaka's birthplace
Atsutada Otaka was a cousin and teacher of Eiichi Shibusawa.
He is also known to have served as the first director of the Tomioka Silk Mill.
The birthplace of Atsutada Odaka is about 500 meters from the Eiichi Shibusawa Memorial Hall in the opposite direction of the Shibusawa birthplace.
Location: 236 Shimotebaka, Fukaya City, Saitama 366-0006
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
Admission: Free
Parking: Available (free of charge)
Kashima Shrine
The Kashima Shrine is located between the Eiichi Shibusawa Memorial Museum and the Atsutada Odaka Birthplace. On the shrine grounds, there is a stone monument about Yoshichika Otaka built by Eiichi Shibusawa and others. The shrine is about a five-minute walk from the Eiichi Shibusawa Memorial Museum. It is not a very large shrine.
Location: 1145 Shimotebaka, Fukaya-shi, Saitama 366-0002
Seishido, Seifu-tei
Seishindo, Seifu-Tei is a building connected to Eiichi Shibusawa, located in the Oyori Community Center in Fukaya City.
Originally the building was built in Setagaya, Tokyo, but it was relocated to the new location in Fukaya.
This place is also famous as the film location for Namie Amuro's music video.
Location: 84-1 Okiai, Fukaya, Saitama 366-0837 (Oyori Community Center)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
Admission: Free
Parking: 37 spaces (free of charge)
