As I was arriving in Kawasaki, Kanagawa to visit the Fujiko F Fujio Museum, I wanted to explore the area around Mukogaoka-Yuen Station, which happens to be a railway station on the Odakyu Odawara Line, specifically at Tama Ward in Kawasaki.
The area is known for its factories which produce chemicals, glass and electronics and there is also some agriculture.
The station opened as Inada-Noborito Station back in 1927 and a small steam train would operate between this station and the Mukogaoka-Yuen Amusement Park.
Source: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/向ヶ丘遊園駅
The name would officially adopt the name Mukogaoka-Yuen Station in 1955 and would end its steam locomotive in 1965 and their Monorail would exist from 1966-2000.
It’s important to note that the change of name to the station was because the area wanted to promote the Muokogaoka-Yuen Amusement Park.
Many come by the station to visit the Mukogaoka-Yuen Amusement Park (which ended in 2002, but the rose garden still exists), but many pass through this station for both the Fujiko F Fujio Museum and the Okamoto Taro Museum of Art.
But I wanted to peruse around the station.
I always like to see what is outside of a station, because these areas are the primary shopping areas for locals.
Sure, big stations have a lot outside of the station but for smaller areas, it tends to be within the vicinity of the station and as you can see, outside the North Exit you have Lawson (convenience store), McDonalds and KFC for fastfood, Cafe Gusto, a few restaurants and many office space. You also have a TSUTAYA if you want to purchase music, Blu-rays or DVDs. A Bank, Post Office and Police Station as well!
If anything, It is convenient to be right next to a station and if I was a local, you could easily eat a meal near the station and head home. Literally, everything you need is right next to the station.
For me it’s intriguing when I hear people living in small towns in Japan of where they do their shopping and they usually say “right next to the station”.
Yes, most stations tend to offer shopping and eateries, but for small areas, there is no doubt some charm to see which shops/restaurants are prime areas outside of the exit (versus eating or shopping inside the station).
But I like what I saw outside, so I decided that instead of riding a bus, I wanted to experience the area on my walk to Fujiko F Fujio Museum.
