Enjoy the Rainy Season with Art in Tachikawa

Rainy days during Japan’s rainy season can make long trips feel a little difficult. That’s why this is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy places that inspire your senses. In Tachikawa, Tokyo, you can spend a peaceful day surrounded by architecture, art, and coffee.

At OKA CAFE, designed by architect Kengo Kuma, visitors can relax in a beautiful wooden space while enjoying coffee and fresh bread. You can also explore local art at the Tamashin Museum and nearby gallery spaces that showcase works connected to the Tama area. Here are some art spots in Tachikawa that are perfect for a quiet rainy-day visit.

Experience Warm Wooden Architecture at “OKA CAFE”

Located inside Showa Kinen Park, OKA CAFE is a café designed by architect Kengo Kuma that blends naturally into the surrounding landscape.

The café stands beside the park’s large open lawn area, “Minna no Harappa,” and was designed with the concept of “architecture rising gently from the grassland.” The grassy ground connects smoothly to the roof, creating a large shaded space that feels almost like part of the park itself.

Inside the café, visitors can also enjoy details inspired by nature. The walls use plaster mixed with the park’s black soil, and the space includes large handmade plaster tables and lighting made from recycled coffee bean sacks. On rainy days, the textures of the wood and earth become even more beautiful, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Whether you are inside enjoying coffee or simply admiring the building from outside, OKA CAFE offers a unique architectural experience in Tachikawa.

Enjoy Coffee and Art at “OKA CAFE”

At OKA CAFE, visitors can enjoy not only architecture, but also coffee and food inspired by the nature of Showa Kinen Park.

One of the café’s highlights is the original “OKA Blend” coffee. Inspired by the nearby lawn, flower gardens, and large zelkova trees, the blend combines beans from Colombia, Mocha, and Guatemala. The coffee has a refreshing flavor with floral notes and a rich finish that reflects the atmosphere of the park itself.

The café also offers pasta and other lunch dishes, making it a comfortable stop during a walk around the park. Takeout is available as well, so visitors can enjoy drinks or bread while relaxing on the grass or park benches.

At OKA CAFE, architecture, nature, and food come together beautifully. During the rainy season, it is the perfect place to spend a quiet and relaxing afternoon while listening to the sound of rain.

Hours	March–October: 10:30–16:30 November: 10:30–16:00 December–February: 11:00–15:30 *Last order is 30 min. before closing. *Reception may close earlier depending on crowd conditions. Closed Tuesdays from June 8 to September 4 and every Tuesday from December to February Park closing days
Address	Showa Kinen Park, 3-1 Mokuseinomori, Akishima, Tokyo
Access	Tachikawa Washington Hotel: Take the JR Ome Line from JR Tachikawa Station to Nishi-Tachikawa Station. Enter Showa Kinen Park from the Nishi-Tachikawa Gate, then walk about 10 min. to OKA CAFE.
URL	https://www.showakinen-koen.jp/facility/facility-13436/

Discover Local Art at the “Tamashin Museum”

If you would like to enjoy more art in Tachikawa, the Tamashin Museum is also worth visiting. Located inside the Tama Shinkin Bank headquarters, the museum hosts exhibitions featuring works connected to the Tama area as well as exhibitions related to Japanese art history.

Another highlight is the community gallery space on the second floor of the building. Here, visitors can discover works by young artists and art students from the Tama area who are beginning to share their work with the world.

While the museum introduces established works and art history, the gallery space offers a chance to experience art that is being created right now. It is a special place where visitors can encounter the creativity of emerging artists.

Spending time quietly viewing artwork while listening to the sound of rain may be one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the rainy season in Tokyo.

Hours	10:00–18:00 *Last admission is 30 min. before closing. Closed Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) Year-end/New Year holidays and exhibition change periods
Address	1F Tama Shinkin Bank Headquarters, 3-4 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo
Access	Tachikawa Washington Hotel: Walk from the North Exit of JR Tachikawa Station. About an 8-minute walk to the Tamashin Museum, located next to GREEN SPRINGS.
URL	https://www.tamashinmuseum.org/