Researched guide · Checked on Oct 19, 2026
Machida, 40 minutes from Shinjuku, mixes family days out with a retro shopping arcade: feed squirrels at the Squirrel Garden, visit the Snoopy Museum at a big outlet park, see centuries of prints at a graphic arts museum, and have curry from a famous writer’s recipes.
Quick answer
Getting there: Machida Station (JR Yokohama Line, Odakyu Odawara Line)
Time needed: A full day
Best time: Spring to autumn for the flowers in Yakushiike Park
Good for: Families, Snoopy fans, outlet shopping, gardens
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Overview
| Getting there | Machida Station (JR Yokohama Line, Odakyu Odawara Line) |
| Time needed | A full day |
| Best time | Spring to autumn for the flowers in Yakushiike Park |
| Good for | Families, Snoopy fans, outlet shopping, gardens |
Best Things to Do
Squirrel Garden
Feed the squirrels (a bag of food is 100 yen), pet rabbits and guinea pigs and see turtles. Closed on Tuesdays; good for young children.
Machida Yakushiike Park
Next to the Squirrel Garden, with old cherry trees and flowers through the seasons: peonies from mid-April to May, irises in May and June, lotuses in July and August, and dahlias from July to November.
Snoopy Museum Tokyo
At Minami Machida Grandberry Park, about Snoopy, his friends and creator Charles M. Schulz, with an original-goods shop and café.
Minami Machida Grandberry Park
One of the biggest outlet malls in Tokyo, with its own station (Minami-machida Grandberry Park), plazas, a children’s hall, a library and Tsuruma Park.
Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts
Next to Serigaya Park, showing the history of printmaking, with a collection going back to the 8th century, and a café with park views.
Buaiso
The former house of Jiro Shirasu, aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, and the writer Masako Shirasu, now a museum. Its restaurant and café serve curry and dishes from Masako’s recipes.
Machida Onsen Roten Garden
A natural hot spring near the center with many baths, saunas and massages.
Food & Drink
- Machida Nakamise Shopping Street: a classic arcade with small food shops: fried soup dumplings, sushi, burgers and crêpes.
- Buaiso curry from Masako Shirasu’s recipes.
- The café at the Snoopy Museum.
Find places to eat with our restaurant finder.
Shopping
- Minami Machida Grandberry Park outlets.
- Hands and other large stores near the station.
- Machida Nakamise Shopping Street for small local shops.
Where to Stay
Most visitors make this a day trip from central Tokyo. Shinjuku, the starting point for trains west, has the widest choice of hotels: see Best hotels in Shinjuku.
Getting There
- Machida Station: JR Yokohama Line and Odakyu Odawara Line.
- From Shinjuku: about 40 minutes on an Odakyu Line Express or Rapid Express. From Tokyo Station: about 1 hour via Shinjuku.
- From the airports: about 1 hour 20 minutes by train from Haneda, or about 2 hours 35 minutes from Narita.
- Grandberry Park has its own station: Minami-machida Grandberry Park.
New to Tokyo trains? See Trains in Tokyo and How to use Suica.
Suggested Itinerary
- MorningSquirrel Garden and Yakushiike Park
- Bus
- LunchMachida Nakamise Shopping Street
- Train
- AfternoonSnoopy Museum and Grandberry Park outlets
Travel Tips
- The Squirrel Garden is closed on Tuesdays.
- Check which flowers are in season at Yakushiike Park.
- Grandberry Park is easiest by train to its own station.
FAQ
Where is the Snoopy Museum in Tokyo?
At Minami Machida Grandberry Park in Machida, which has its own station.
How far is Machida from Shinjuku?
About 40 minutes on the Odakyu Line Express or Rapid Express.
Can you feed squirrels in Machida?
Yes, at the Squirrel Garden: a bag of food costs 100 yen.
Travel Essentials
Airport Transfers
Trains, the monorail, the Airport Limousine Bus and taxis compared.
Train Tickets
How to buy Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets for Kyoto, Osaka and beyond.
JR Pass & Transport Passes
Whether a rail pass or a Tokyo subway ticket will save you money.
Explore More in This Area
Sources
Information comes from the official sources below (checked October 19, 2026). Hours and prices change, so please check before you go.
