Immerse Yourself in the World of the Manga KochiKame: A One-Day Kameari Model Course Following Kankichi Ryotsu’s Footsteps

Around JR Kameari Station, you will find various Ryo-san statues.
After arriving at the station, you will first want to check the three statues of the main character, Kankichi “Ryo-san” Ryotsu, alongside Keiichi Nakagawa and Reiko Akimoto.

Around Kameari Station, a total of 15 KochiKame character statues are currently scattered throughout the area.
In addition to the expressive Ryo-san, there are also statues of Keiichi Nakagawa, Reiko Akimoto, and Hayato Honda.
Each statue includes the character’s name and a brief description, so you can enjoy them even if you do not know the series.
Searching for statues as you walk around town and taking photos is another fun way to enjoy the area.

After checking the statues in front of Kameari Station South Exit, the next KochiKame-related spot you will want to visit is Kochikame Museum, which opened in March 2025.
This five-story museum is based on the concept that Ryo-san built it on his own above the police box, and it lets you experience the world of KochiKame.

Inside, you tour the museum in order from the 5th floor down to the 1st floor.
Along with exhibits featuring series materials and reproduced artwork from the author Osamu Akimoto’s personal collection, there are also plenty of hands-on attractions such as the invention “Kaiun Kaimeikun” and about 20 types of mini-games.
There are many clever touches that naturally draw in even visitors who do not know the manga, and you can enjoy it with plenty of laughs.
There are also plenty of highlights, such as the meticulously recreated “Ryo-san’s room” and Kochikame Museum limited-edition goods.
As you travel through the world of KochiKame inside the museum, you pick up little hidden gags while laughing, and you begin to feel a mix of nostalgia and freshness.
Because the experience is designed not only for viewing but for playing and participating, you can feel Ryo-san’s presence close at hand, and the KochiKame in your memories naturally comes back to life.
Before you know it, you are completely immersed in the world of the series, and with the lingering fun, your heart feels a little lighter.
It is a highly satisfying spot where you can enjoy that kind of feeling.

Next, you will want to visit Kochikame Game Park on the 3rd floor of the large commercial complex Ario Kameari.
It is an arcade where you can enjoy KochiKame-themed decorations and game experiences.

Inside the facility, there is also a space recreating the “Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo” where Ryo-san works.
In addition to Ryo-san, there are also 3D figures of popular characters such as Hayato Honda and Kaipan Keiji.
Some wall illustrations include hidden gimmicks, and some let you enjoy famous scenes from the manga.
It is popular not only for games but also as a photo spot.
There are KochiKame-themed game machines, so you can play during breaks in your sightseeing.
Popular attractions include “Ryo-san’s Kameari Isshu Game,” “Nakagawa’s Supercar,” and the “Ryotsu Robot” gashapon (capsule-toy) machine.
At Ario Kameari, where Kochikame Game Park is located, there is also a food court.
With a lineup of shops offering Japanese food, ramen, and more, it is also convenient for lunchtime.

Next, head to You Road, one of Kameari’s representative shopping streets.
You Road refers to the Kameari Ginza Shopping Street that stretches across the JR Kameari Station South Exit area.
The “You” in You Road carries four meanings: “Yu” from Kameari’s “Ari (Yu),” “Yu” for play, “Yu” for friends, and the English “YOU,” meaning you.
It is a lively shopping street known for its warm, neighborly shitamachi spirit, drawing many people.
Restaurants, daily-goods shops, and more line the street, and it still supports everyday life in the neighborhood.
Another appeal is that walking through the shopping street lets you experience Kameari’s daily scenery firsthand.

A place you will want to stop by during your shopping street stroll is Katsushika Iseya.
Since opening in 1965, this long-established wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shop has continued making sweets in Kameari for many years.
In its eat-in space, you can also find light meals such as ramen and curry rice, making it convenient for taking a break mid-walk.

At the storefront, you will find a wide selection of KochiKame-motif sweets.
There is a production area in the back, and freshly made dango and daifuku are also sold.
One especially popular item is “Ryo-san Dorayaki,” with Ryo-san’s face branded onto the dorayaki (a sweet bean-filled pancake).
The chewy texture of the pancake and the gentle sweetness of the house-made anko (sweet red bean paste) make it an excellent treat.
Other options include the soft chocolate-filled cookie “Ryo-san Menko-yaki” and the crisp, easy-to-eat “Ryo-san Sable.”
They are chosen both for casual street snacking and as Kameari sightseeing souvenirs.

Be sure to stop by Musashiya, a long-running kimono shop located very close to Katsushika Iseya.
Musashiya was founded in 1924 and has a history of about 100 years.

Having long operated in the heart of the shopping street, Musashiya plays a role in connecting the community and tourism.
Inside you will find not only kimono, but also clothing worn at festivals and accessories used with kimono.
The shop also offers KochiKame design items.
You can purchase three items for children: a hanten (traditional short jacket), a tenugui (hand towel), and a sacoche bag.
All of them are practical, and they are also popular as Kameari souvenirs.
Many tourists visit the shop, and communication is also possible through translation apps and similar tools.

Another KochiKame-related spot is the Kameari Tourist Information Center, located in one corner of the shopping street.
A life-size Ryo-san statue installed inside is also popular as a commemorative photo spot.
At the Kameari Tourist Information Center, pick up a tourist map of the area around Kameari.
The map clearly summarizes KochiKame-related gourmet spots, goods, and the locations of statues.

You should also keep an eye out for shopping street limited-edition goods available at the Kameari Tourist Information Center.
“The “Ryo-san wooden tag” keychain is especially popular.”
They are also appealing because they are easy to choose as trip mementos or souvenirs.
In addition, the Kameari Tourist Information Center distributes KochiKame design manhole cards.
They are popular as keepsakes, and KochiKame fans will want to pick one up.

After walking around Kameari, you will want to enjoy a relaxed dinner.
A great final stop for your walk is Yakiniku Horumon Chura Roast Kameari Branch.

In a casual atmosphere that feels right at home in a downtown area, you can easily enjoy high-quality yakiniku.
The restaurant uses carefully selected ingredients centered on A4-grade Japanese Black beef.
It features tender texture, sweet fat, and a rich aroma.
Many cuts are handled fresh rather than frozen, and only meat in good condition that day is served.
With a style of cutting after you order, the restaurant is also particular about freshness.
Signature dishes include “Negi Pon Chura Roast,” with its refreshing flavor, and the “All Beef Tongue Platter,” which lets you enjoy everything from thick cuts to lean slices.
“Jo Liver Shabu-shabu,” where you dip liver into oil before eating, is also popular.
An awamori meister is on staff, and they offer more than 40 kinds of awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit).
It is a fitting place to end your Kameari trip, soothing your tired legs with great food.

Kensho-ji Temple is about a four-minute walk from the north exit of JR Kameari Station.
It is a venerable temple founded in 1620, with a history of more than 400 years.
One well-known feature on the grounds is Mujina-zuka.
Mujina-zuka is a mound built for a tanuki (raccoon dog) that was hit by a train.
It is said to have been established to mourn a tanuki that had been startling people around Kameari around the time the Joban Line opened in 1896.
The Mujina-zuka seen today was built in 1953.
It is cherished as a landmark that conveys folktales as well as the history as well as the history of the railway’s opening to the present day.
If you are interested in history or railways, this is a place you will want to stop by during a north-exit stroll.
There is also an exhibit related to the Mujina-zuka folktale at Kochikame Museum on the south side, so try looking for it.

Lucky Kameari No. 2 is a specialty shop for house-roasted coffee that has long been loved by locals in Kameari.
In the shop, coffee beans are roasted using a German-made roaster.
With a wide variety by origin and flavor profile, you can also purchase beans only.
The shop’s original “blend coffee” prioritizes drinkability by combining five types of beans.
The coffee, carefully brewed with a siphon by the owner, is recommended for a relaxing break.
Food menu items such as toast and sandwiches are also great to enjoy with coffee.
Especially popular is the “house-made hotcake,” cooked on a copper griddle.
The fluffy batter pairs with butter and syrup, creating a moderate sweetness that is easy to enjoy.
With a calm space filled with the warmth of wood, it is easy to use as an easy stop for a sightseeing break-and a taste of everyday downtown life.

About a three-minute walk from the north exit is Bakery Panburg.
The shop’s concept is “a place where you can always find something you want to eat when you go.”
Inside, a wide variety of breads are on display, made with careful attention to ingredients and quality.
The croissant is especially popular with locals.
Another recommended item is “Currywurst,” a savory bread made with baguette dough.
It is perfect for a snack between sightseeing spots or for breakfast the next day.