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Index
Mibu Town (壬生町) is a small town also known as Omochanomachi (Toy Town). It developed as a small castle town in the 17th century as it was on an important route from Edo (now Tokyo). During the end of the Edo period (1603-1868), the townspeople eagerly studied Western medicine, and in the early 19th century, western medicine was practiced by doctors on Rangakudori (Rangaku Street / 蘭学通り) in the old district. Mibu town went on to educate the first nurse in Japan and is currently home to Dokkyo Medical School, one of the largest medical facilities in the area.
After WW2, Mibu became the center of Toy manufacturing in Japan, and in the 1960s, it produced 75% of all toys exported from Japan. In 1964, Omochanomachi Eki (Toy Town Station) opened, and in 1977, part of Mibu town was named Omochanomachi (Toy Town) as an official address.
Present-day Mibu has much less toy manufacturing than in the 1960s and 1970s but is now home to two popular toy museums. The most famous is the Bandai Museum, where Gundam fans come from around the world to see the head of a Full-size Gundam. The other is the Mibu Toy Museum, which is a very popular place for families with young children to visit as it has an indoor playground, rooms with train sets to play with, and a large outdoor park that connects to Kita-Kanto Expressway
From Tokyo
From Airports
Main Stations
Mibu Town has many restaurants ranging from Japanese to western. For restaurants open late in the evening it is best to find one around Omochanomachi Station and Dokkyo Medical University.
There are many Western restaurants in Mibu Town near Omochainomachi Station and near Costco.
Otonosama Ryori (The King’s meal) is a luxurious lunch course / lunch box offered at many restaurants in Mibu Town. The recipe is based on a historical scroll recently discovered containing cooking instructions for the feudal lord family (Otonosama) between 1st-29th July 1805.
Adults, Children Enjoy a Mental Break with Old, New Toys (link)
Find your Ideal Mibu Trip (link)
Omocha-no-Machi Bandai Museum (link)
Mibu(machi) Toy Museum (link)
Mibu Town, Tochigi Pref (link)
Mibu Town, Tochigi Pref (link)
Nearby Tokyo talks to Kuki city’s local tourist office about things to do in the area, including their famous lantern festival as well as their Iris, lavender and cosmos flowers.
Nearby Tokyo talks to Oku-Nikko’s city’s local tourist office about things to do in the area, including attractions and local food!
Nearby Tokyo talks to Ueno Village’s Uenomura Local Industry Information Center about things to do, nature activities, and local food!