Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

In a leafy corner of Kawasaki, just outside Tokyo, is a museum that runs entirely on childhood joy. The Fujiko·F·Fujio Museum celebrates the manga artist behind Doraemon — the round blue robot cat from the future who is, genuinely, one of the most beloved characters in Japan.

Why It’s Interesting

It’s part art museum, part playground. You’ll find the artist’s original hand-drawn pages (delicate, funny, surprisingly moving), recreations of his studio, and then a rooftop world where the characters stand as life-size sculptures — including the famous spot where you can pose beside Doraemon and friends. The whole place is designed to make adults grin as hard as the kids.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round — it’s indoor and weatherproof, a perfect rainy-day plan. Just remember the timed tickets sell out, so book early.

Getting There

Hop the themed shuttle bus from Noborito or Mukogaoka-yuen stations, an easy ride out from Shinjuku. There’s no parking, so come by train.