2025.12.17#Takadanobaba

Speaking of Takadanobaba, it's Astro Boy. Exploring the memories of Osamu Tezuka living throughout the town.

🤖 1｜The Fact That Takadanobaba = The Town of Astro Boy

When you hear Takadanobaba, the first thing that comes to mind is a "student district."
However, there is another element that symbolizes the town.

That is Astro Boy。

From stations, streets, and restaurants, deep into the memories of the people,
a town where the footprints of Osamu Tezuka and Astro Boy remain vividly.——That is Takadanobaba.

🚃 2｜JR Takadanobaba Station's Departure Melody is "Astro Boy"

On the Yamanote Line platform at JR Takadanobaba Station,
as the departure melody, "Astro Boy" plays.

This was introduced

against the backdrop of Osamu Tezuka having his studio in this town
and its status as a symbol of anime culture,

implemented with local community agreement.

Not only for first-time visitors,
but also for locals who use the station every day,
this melody is a sound of the town that makes them feel "I'm home."

🎨 3｜Astro Boy and Friends Painted on the Underpass Murals

When walking around the station and under the elevated tracks, what catches your eye
are murals of Astro Boy and other characters.。

Not just Astro Boy,
・Black Jack
・Ribon no Kishi (Princess Knight)
and other Tezuka worldview blends seamlessly into the town.

More than just mere decoration,
"This town exists together with manga culture" can be said to be a clear statement of intent.

🏢 4 | Tezuka Productions is still in Takadanobaba

Surprisingly little known, but
Tezuka Productions (Tezuka Pro) still has its base in the Takadanobaba area today.

In other words, Takadanobaba is
"a town of memories where Astro Boy was born" and at the same time "a present-tense Osamu Tezuka town".。

This fact
leads to urban development such as departure melodies and murals.

🍡 5 | Aoyagi's "Astro Boy Manju" —— A local specialty Japanese sweet rooted in the town

At the long-established Japanese confectionery shop "Aoyagi" in Takadanobaba,
Astro Boy Manju is sold.

・Astro Boy branded stamp
・Simple and gentle sweetness
・Great for souvenirs or as a treat for yourself ◎

While it lacks touristy flashiness,
it is "Astro Boy rooted in daily life" that continues to be loved by locals an item where you can feel that.

Click here for the secret story behind the creation of Astro Boy Manju.

🍜 6 | Osamu Tezuka's favorite flavor: Ichiban Hanten's Special Shanghai Yakisoba

When talking about Takadanobaba, one cannot miss
the Chinese restaurant "Ichiban Hanten" which Osamu Tezuka is said to have frequented。

Among them, the most famous is Special Shanghai Yakisoba。

・Simple yet profound flavor
・Easy to eat even during work breaks
・An "everyday dish" that hasn't changed for years

The busy manga artist Osamu Tezuka
This is the place where you can feel closest to the fact that he spent his daily life in this town.

Click here for the secret story behind the creation of Special Shanghai Yakisoba.

🍶 7 | Finish off your night at Sumiyaki Choja Baba Rock, an izakaya where Astro Boy Currency can also be used

Trace the footsteps of Astro Boy and Osamu Tezuka during the day,
and at night near Takadanobaba Station Sumiyaki Choja Baba Rock enjoy dinner at.

■ A community-rooted izakaya where Astro Boy Currency can be used

At Baba Rock,
Takadanobaba's unique local currency "Astro Boy Currency" is available.

Truly,
the perfect place to wrap up a day in Takadanobaba, the town of Astro Boy .

■ Complete satisfaction with robatayaki (charcoal grill) and specialty dishes

Specialty "Gaburi Chicken (whole grilled chicken)"
Deeply flavorful "Pork Belly and Daikon Radish"
Relaxed atmosphere with semi-private rooms
Accommodating everyone from solo drinkers to friends

While enjoying the lingering atmosphere of manga culture,
you can slowly tilt your glass.

⭐ 8｜Summary｜Takadanobaba is a "town living alongside Astro Boy"

A rare area that treats anime and manga not as "tourism resources" but as "living culture"
Astro Boy as the station departure melody
Tezuka's works on street corners
The ongoing presence of Tezuka Productions
Concluding the day with food and drinks

Although there is no flashy memorial museum, the town itself is a museum one could say.

Takadanobaba is not a relic of the past, but a town of manga culture that is still alive today。

To end that day, please Sumiyaki Choja Baba Rock And.

📩 Reservations & Inquiries

Please feel free to contact us for same-day reservations ("Can we come in today?"), banquets such as dates, drinking parties, girls' night out, welcome/farewell parties, or even dining solo.