Ota Magazine

Discover the latest stories from Tokyo's Ota City, located in the vicinity of Haneda Airport with a wealth of things to see and do.

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Hanepyon Walk: First Episode Released

Ota City's official PR character, Hanepyon, released a video series that introduces the charms of Ota City. Enjoy watching as Hanepyon visits Ota's tourist spots and shopping streets while deepening understanding with the local people. With Japan's latest State of Emergen...

Hanepyon Walk: First Episode Released
The Best Tonkatsu in Ota

Tonkatsu is a meal enjoyed and loved by many. The breaded-and-fried juicy pork cutlet can be eaten in a variety of ways with an assortment of condiments. We have selected three tonkatsu restaurants in Ota City to introduce: Tonkatsu Arashige in Otorii, Tonkatsu Nabe Tatsumi in Kamata, and Shizenb...

The Best Tonkatsu in Ota
The First Sunrise of the Year in Ota City

During the Japanese New Year period (usually from Jan 1 to 7), many Japanese enjoy traditional New Year customs, such as eating New Year dishes with family and relatives and paying their first visit of the year to temples or shrines to pray for happiness and health. On the morning of New Year&rsq...

The First Sunrise of the Year in Ota City
Ota City Takeout & Delivery: Restaurant Directory

In recent times due to coronavirus, restaurants are going through a tough period given both the reduced number of customers but also pressure to close their doors following new government measures, like the State of Emergency announcement. The Ota-ku Shoren website provides a di...

Ota City Takeout & Delivery: Restaurant Directory
Cafe & Go Hidamari – Learn Go and make friends

Here’s what I knew about Go before I went to Cafe Hidamari: I read the Yasunari Kawabata novel, The Master of Go (Meijin in Japanese), in college more than a decade ago. It’s about Go; I can’t remember the plot. My grandfather used to watch it on TV and I didn’t pay ...

Cafe & Go Hidamari – Learn Go and make friends
Ota City Tourist Information Center: Kimono Try-on and More!

Enticed by the chance to take part in a few traditional activities I popped into Ota City’s Tourist Information Center. The TIC was easy to find; as soon as you walk through the ticket barriers at Keikyu Kamata Station you will see the familiar red ‘i’ indicating the center...

Ota City Tourist Information Center: Kimono Try-on and More!
Ota Spring’s Plum Trees and Cherry Blossoms

While the ephemeral beauty of Japan’s springtime cherry blossoms (known as sakura) is talked about the world over, the equally stunning plum blossoms (ume) often slip under the radar. Typically plum blossoms come into bloom from late February, while sakura season is closer to the end of Mar...

Ota Spring’s Plum Trees and Cherry Blossoms
Celebrate Spring in Classic Style: Setsubun

As I walk up the hill towards Ikegami Honmonji Temple, I pull my hat down a little further against the February wind. Located deep in the heart of Ota – one of Tokyo’s 23 wards – the temple is the largest and most famous in this area. It was established near the end of the thirt...

Celebrate Spring in Classic Style: Setsubun
How to Enjoy New Year’s in Ota City

In the calm, early morning darkness, many Japanese wait to see the sunrise. It is January 1st, and it is the first sunrise of the year. Praying to the first sunrise of the year for health and happiness is just one of the interesting traditions of the Japanese New Year, the Shōgatsu. This imp...

How to Enjoy New Year’s in Ota City
Recommended Spots in Ota City for Autumn

One of Japan’s most striking seasons is autumn, where the maple leaves turn deep red and the ginko leaves shine bright gold. Throughout Tokyo there are many places to view autumn leaves, and one of those places is right in Ota City. Here is a list of a few spots for some of the best Ota Cit...

Recommended Spots in Ota City for Autumn
Things to do this Summer in Ota City

Don’t let the summer heat and humidity stand in your way of all the fun and excitement there is in and around Tokyo. There are quite a few recommended events happening around Ota City that you should add to your list. Mizudome no Mai (水止舞) One of Ota City’s long-runn...

Things to do this Summer in Ota City
Top 3 Festivals in Ota City Not to Miss

Haneda Shrine Festival The Haneda Shrine dates back more than 800 years to the Kamakura Period and these days with its proximity to Haneda International Airport, many visitors to the shrine go to pray for air travel safety. Every year, on the last weekend in July, the shrine holds a lively ...

Top 3 Festivals in Ota City Not to Miss