[Time Slip] 3 nostalgic landscapes reminiscent of Japanese folktales that you can encounter in Machida, Tokyo

Machida City, located at the edge of Tokyo. While it has an image of being lively with youth culture around Machida Station, if you extend your steps a bit, there are spots where you can feel landscapes from old Japanese tales. I have picked three places that I grew up in Machida.

1. The sound of water soothes me, the watermill

About a 15-minute drive from Machida Station. Yakushi Pond (Yakushi Pond Park), located in a place that's a bit difficult to reach on foot, is a scenic spot representative of Machida, designated as one of Japan's top 100 historical parks and a designated scenic spot by Tokyo Metropolis. For the author, who was born and raised near Machida, it is a place filled with childhood memories.

Machida Yakushi Pond Park, Shikisai no Mori, Yakushi Pond (Yakushi Pond Park)
Location: 3270 Nozuta-machi, Machida City, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (extended to 7:00 PM during summer from June to August)
Open year-round

The opening time of Yakushi Pond is from 6 AM in the early morning. It is recommended to stroll during the early morning when temperatures are slightly lower in Japan's harsh summer. On this day, it was expected to be 33 degrees around noon, but at just past 7 AM when I visited, the breeze was still pleasant, and there were people enjoying walks with their dogs.

One of the many spots where you can feel as if you've traveled back in time is the watermill. The waterwheel at Yakushi Pond is still turning vigorously while splashing water. The Yakushi Pond Park itself has a history of being a reservoir for agricultural use, and it seems to have a concept that recreates "old lifestyles" with traditional houses and more.

The sound of water when the waterwheel turns is quite refreshing. I can't help but want to head to a place where I can see the flow of water. It is located a bit away from the parking lot, and the surroundings are very quiet. In the early morning hours, there are no signs of people, and a luxurious time flows where I can monopolize this landscape and the cool sound of water.

After going around a bit, I looked around the waterwheel house, and I found that I could peek inside. Of course, it doesn't seem to be functioning now, but the intricately assembled wooden mechanism is fascinating. The rural life of that time gradually comes through this space.

2. An old house where you can feel the remnants of the late Edo period

After walking about five minutes from Yakushi Pond, a picturesque tiled gate appears, and you encounter a landscape where time seems to have stopped. In autumn, the surrounding foliage is likely to turn a magnificent red, but for now, the fresh greenery unique to early summer is beautiful. On this day, the hydrangeas were still blooming, allowing me to feel Japan's four seasons.

As I passed through the gate, there was another beautiful scene that looked like it was painted. The wooden gate frame acts like a picture frame, beautifully capturing the fresh new green and the thatched-roof old house. Nearby, there is a river or possibly water flowing, and I can hear the pleasant sound of a babbling brook.

I was also captivated by the pleasant echoes coming from the waterwheel, but I love the sound of flowing water. I love the sound of babbling water so much that I listen to it as background music before going to sleep. Here, I also stopped my feet and enjoyed the luxurious healing music, allowing my heart to rest.

The distance from the gate to the thatched-roof old folk house (image above) is only about 2-3 minutes away, but captivated by the beautiful scenery and sounds, it took me over 10 minutes to get here. Forgetting the time and taking a detour might be the essence of a small journey.

This old Ogino family residence has also been designated as a tangible cultural asset by Tokyo and is one of the historical heritage sites representing Machida. Built in the late Edo period, it is a valuable building that was once used as a clinic. The atmosphere created by the thatched roof and the charming wooden framework feels like stepping into the world of a period drama.

Upon entering the entrance, I was surprisingly greeted by a spacious area. I wonder if the former doctor welcomed the local people warmly here, or if the lively voices of family gatherings echoed in this space. My imagination runs wild and it's delightful.

Right next to the old folk house was a small wooden shed. Looking at the information sign, it seemed to be a board warehouse that was used to store grains like rice. The floor is said to be raised to prevent mice and moisture.

The remnants that stand here after many years quietly convey the way of life of the people from that time to the present. It was such a small shed that I almost passed by it, but it was a building full of charm that I couldn't help but stop for.

3. A powerful steam locomotive D51 that you can also enter the driver's seat.

Finally, here it is. The D51 type steam locomotive, located about a 10-minute walk from Machida Station. When you hear "Degoichi," many people, even those who are not fans of trains or electric trains, probably recognize it. I'm not that knowledgeable about railways myself, but when it’s right in front of me, its beautiful and substantial presence makes my heart race.

D51 Type No. 862 Steam Locomotive (Machida's Degoichi)
Location: 2-13-14 Nakacho, Machida City, Tokyo, inside the Machida Children's Development Center
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This Degoichi was reportedly used as a locomotive for passenger and freight trains on the National Railway's Tōkaidō Line, Kansai Line, and Chūō West Line. It was manufactured in the 18th year of the Showa era. It has been exhibited in this location in Machida since Showa 47. I thought it had been here since I was little, but it turns out it has been here for 50 years.

When I got closer, I found something that also feels historical, resembling a blackboard. Upon closer inspection, it seems to be marked "Lost Items." Did people use this to manage lost items in the past? It seems that if lost items were publicly displayed, they might be taken away by unscrupulous individuals, but it conveys the honesty and good security of the people back then.

The large wheels seem like they could still run at any moment. The locomotive is quite large in scale, and looking at it this way, I realize it is connected by many more complex parts than I imagined. "Where does this part connect, and how does it move?" I found myself pondering that for a while. Oh? It seems I was about to open the door to a love of trains.

As I continued my exploration, I discovered a staircase. Could this be a way to enter the driver's seat?

At the top of the well-worn stairs was the driver's seat. Indeed, this is where the engineer operated numerous levers, moving a massive block of iron. It is completely different from the modern digital control panels. Sitting on the bench that was available, it felt like the best seat in a secret base. I was able to thoroughly enjoy a special immersive experience, as if I had time-slipped.

Standing before a machine that excites even adults, I was once again moved. If I brought children here, they would surely be overjoyed.

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