Feel the Early Spring at “KYODONOMORI” in Fuchu City Where Plum Blossoms Are in Full Bloom on 1,000 Trees

March in Japan when it gets a bit warmer is the beginning of the season that people long, the spring. Because the winter this year was colder than the usual year, the best season for appreciating plum blossoms is just around the corner. Among famous plum blossom spots in Tokyo, “KYODONOMORI” (郷土の森) is truly recommended especially for those traveling with kids. In this issue, let’s look at some highlights at and around it.

Every spot in this issue is easily accessible by public bus from Fuchūhommachi Station (JN20/JM35) which is 6 stations away on Nambu Line (JN) from Tachikawa Station (JN26/JC19), the closest one from Tachikawa Washington Hotel.

Fully savor plum blossoms with all your senses at “Kyodo no Mori Plum Festival”

Being well recognized as a plum blossom spot, ‘Fuchu Municipal Museum KYODONOMORI’ (府中市郷土の森博物館) hosts 1,100 plum trees of around 60 kinds, and “Kyodo no Mori Plum Festival” (郷土の森梅まつり) is now being held until 21st of March. Once yellow blossoms of Wintersweet that look like wax made artworks with elegant aroma have been in full bloom, blossoms of another kind will follow one another till the mid of March. Especially, the blossoms in red and white on trees gifted from a major shrine Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天満宮) in Fukuoka are must-see. On the other hand, as Hanamomo (ハナモモ, Prunus persica) come to be in full bloom from March and are enjoyable until early April, do not miss the area full of Hanamomo trees. In addition, 8 historical buildings such as a wooden school building used in the early Showa era and farmer’s house with a thatched roof built in the late Meiji era have been moved and reconstructed on the premises. It also is a great spot to experience the history of Fuchu City, a typical suburb area in the west part of Tokyo.

Period of Plum Festival	From 29th of January 2022 (Sat) to 21st of March 2022 (Mon)
Admission	300 yen
Address	6-32 Minamicho, Fuchu City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 6-minute walk from Shibama Inari Jinja (芝間稲荷神社) Bus stop which is 8 stops away on Chu Bus (ちゅうバス) from Hommachi 2-chome (本町二丁目) Bus stop. Hommachi 2-chome (本町二丁目) Bus stop is a 2-minute walk from Fuchūhommachi Station (JN20/JM35).
URL	https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/697/index.html

“Kotsu Yuen Park”, a park full of traffic related attractions

Around a 7-minute walk away from ‘Fuchu Municipal Museum KYODONOMORI’, “Kotsu Yuen Park” (府中市立交通遊園) is a public park where visitors can enjoy go-kart riding. In addition to the common go-kart with which you can enjoy 300 meters ride, there are also pedaling karts allowing you to learn traffic with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings installed on the way. For your information, kids under the second grade can ride with their parents. Besides, you will also find a real bus, streetcar and a fire truck. The bus allows you to sit on the driver’s seat and grip the steering wheel as if you are driving the bus for real. In case you are a fan of steam locomotives, you’ll be excited at the real one placed in the park.

Opening HOurs	10:00AM – 4:30PM / 10:00AM – 5:00PM (during school summer holiday) / Closed on Tuesdays and News Year’s Holidays *Closed in stormy weather
Admission	Free (100 yen for go-kart ride)
Address	5-5 Yazakicho, Fuchu City, Tokyo Prefecture
アクセス	A 10-minute walk from Shibama Inari Jinja (芝間稲荷神社) Bus stop which is 8 stops away on Chu Bus (ちゅうバス) from Hommachi 2-chome (本町二丁目) Bus stop. Hommachi 2-chome (本町二丁目) Bus stop is a 2-minute walk from Fuchūhommachi Station (JN20/JM35).
URL	https://www.city.fuchu.tokyo.jp/kirari/sagasu/theme/jiman/kotuyuen.html

“Koto cafe”, a fully equipped family-friendly cafe where you can spend a cozy time with infants

“Kotocafe” is a parent-and-child cafe in the theme of kids’ rooms. It is quite popular among families parenting kids as it is well equipped with facilities such as a nursing and diaper changing room, a kids’ space, and baby futons and chairs. Not only the lunch items for adults including its signature homemade taco rice (タコライス, taco meat over rice and vegetables), of course, there are also various items for kids. Because all items are served with tea with free refills, it’s an ideal place for parents to take a tea break while having kids play, or to communicate with other parents. During hours other than the cafe’s business ones, it is reserved for events, and many events for parents and kids such as parent-child eurhythmics and baby massage lessons are conducted.

Opening Hours	11:45AM – 2:00PM for lunch service and 5:30PM – 10:00PM for dinner service / Closed on Sundays, Mondays and New Years Holidays *Dinner service is available only on Fridays and Saturdays *Events are conducted during 9:30AM – 11:00AM and 2:30PM – 4:00PM *Opens on Sundays and Mondays in case of events planned
Admission	250 yen per infant *By ordering an item for kids, admission comes to free of charge
Address	Fuchu Flat 201, 1-36-4 Miyamachi, Fuchu City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 11-minute walk from Fuchūhommachi Station (JN20/JM35), or A 7-minute walk from Fuchu-eki (府中駅) Bus stop which is 2 stops away on Chu Bus (ちゅうバス) from Hommachi 2-chome (本町二丁目) Bus stop. Hommachi 2-chome (本町二丁目) Bus stop is a 2-minute walk from Fuchūhommachi Station (JN20/JM35)
URL	https://www.kotocafe.jp/