Museum · Shibamata

Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum & Yoji Yamada Museum 葛飾柴又寅さん記念館・山田洋次ミュージアム

A loving museum about Tora-san, hero of the 50-film Otoko wa Tsurai yo series, with the original Kurumaya dumpling-shop set, plus an attached gallery on director Yoji Yamada. Renewed in 2025.

About

Otoko wa Tsurai yo ("Its Tough Being a Man", 1969-2019) follows the wandering peddler Tora-san, who keeps coming home to his familys dumpling shop in Shibamata; with 50 films it once held the world record for the longest film series with one lead actor. This museum is set into the Edogawa embankment just behind Taishakuten and brings it all back: the Kurumaya shop and its tea room were moved here from the Shochiku Ofuna studio, and there are dioramas of the Shibamata street, a recreated Keisei train carriage, Tora-sans trunk and hat, posters, and clips from the films. The connected Yoji Yamada Museum covers the directors career, from his other films to his working scripts and camera. The museum was refreshed and reopened in April 2025. Even without having seen the films, its a charming window into Showa-era downtown life.

Highlights

• Original Kurumaya dumpling-shop set from the Shochiku studio
• Dioramas of 1960s-70s Shibamata and a recreated Keisei carriage
• Tora-sans trademark trunk, hat and costumes
• Attached Yoji Yamada Museum on the director
• Rooftop exit straight onto the Edogawa riverbank

Tips

• Combined ticket covers both museums; buy a Yamamoto-tei combo ticket to save a little.
• Exit to the embankment for the classic river view from the films, then walk to the Yagiri no Watashi ferry.
• Closed on the third Tuesday of the month (next weekday if a holiday).
• English panels are limited; the film clips and sets speak for themselves.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Shibamata Yamamoto-teiGarden · 110 m away
• Taishakuten Carved Gallery & Suikei GardenLocal Secret · 240 m away
• Shibamata TaishakutenTemple · 260 m away
• Yagiri no Watashi FerryLocal Secret · 320 m away
• Monzen Toraya (Shibamata)Café & Sweets · 330 m away
• Kawachiya (Shibamata Eel)Restaurant · 340 m away
• Takagiya RouhoCafé & Sweets · 360 m away
• Shibamata Haikara YokochoUnique Store · 370 m away