Toride (取手)

Map

Getting There

• train
• bus
• car
• ferry

Best Times to Visit

• spring: Mild weather, riverside greenery, and Toride’s noted cherry-blossom scenery make spring comfortable for sightseeing.
• summer: Summer is best for the Tone River fireworks and Yasaka Shrine’s annual festival, despite hot and humid conditions.
• autumn: Comfortable temperatures suit walking between historic sites, temples, riverside parks, and local specialty shops.
• winter: January’s traditional kite-flying and Dondo festivals provide distinctive cultural experiences, with crisp riverside scenery.

What's There

• architecture: Historic post-town residences and Buddhist halls showcase distinctive traditional Japanese architecture.
• birds: The Tone River area supports year-round wild-bird observation.
• culture: Historic waterways, religious traditions, preserved buildings, and local foodways reflect Toride’s regional culture.
• festival: Major seasonal events include summer shrine festivities and fireworks, plus winter kite-flying and Dondo festivals.
• food: Toride is known for Nara-zuke, traditional pickles, senbei, local rice, fruit drinks, and jellies.
• history: The city preserves post-town heritage, Edo-period connections, historic residences, and centuries-old Buddhist structures.
• nature: The Tone River landscape offers riverside scenery, open space, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.
• park: Tone River Green Exercise Park provides walking areas, event space, and broad riverside surroundings.
• river: The Tone River shapes Toride’s scenery, agriculture, ferry service, festivals, and historical development.
• shopping: Local shops and agricultural direct-sales outlets sell pickles, senbei, rice, drinks, jellies, and other regional products.
• shrine: Yasaka Shrine is a significant religious site and hosts a longstanding summer festival.
• temple: Ryuzenji Sanbutsudo and other temples provide important historic and spiritual attractions.
• views: The Tone River and its parks provide expansive waterside views, especially from open riverside areas.
• farm: Fertile Tone River soils support locally grown vegetables, rice, and other agricultural products.

Specialties

• Nara-zuke (奈良漬): Nara-zuke has been produced in Toride since the Edo period. Local producers use vegetables grown in the fertile Tone River region and traditional methods.
• Tsukemono (漬物): Toride is known for traditional pickles made from locally grown vegetables. Established local shops continue to produce and sell these preserved foods.
• Senbei (煎餅): Senbei are sold among Toride’s local specialty products. The city’s agricultural direct-sales store offers locally associated crackers alongside pickles and other regional goods.
• Toride City Rice (取手市産米): Rice grown in Toride is sold locally, with milling available at the city’s agricultural direct-sales store. The product reflects the city’s agricultural landscape and fertile soils.
• Juices and Jellies (ジュース・ゼリー): Toride’s specialty-products section includes locally made juices and jellies. They are sold together with regional pickles, senbei, and other agricultural products.