Isn’t it amazing that we’re standing in Nerima, a special ward in Tokyo that proudly calls itself Nerima City? Let me tell you a story about this unique place. Nerima’s history is quite interesting.
In the Edo period, this area was mainly farmland. Farmers grew daikon radishes, gobo burdocks, and potatoes. Imagine fields stretching as far as the eye could see. After the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923, many people moved here from central Tokyo. This influx transformed Nerima.
Nerima officially became a ward on August 1, 1947. Before that, it was part of Itabashi. In 1952, the Japan Self-Defense Forces set up a base here. There was also a US base called Grant Heights. It used to be Narimasu airfield for the Imperial Japanese Army. The US returned Grant Heights to Japan in 1973. Today, the runway is now the main street in front of the IMA department store in Hikarigaoka.
Nerima is located on the northwestern edge of Tokyo’s central wards. It is bordered by Itabashi, Suginami, Toshima, and Nakano. Musashino and Nishi-Tokyo are also neighbors. To the north are Wako, Asaka, and Niiza, cities in Saitama Prefecture.
Nerima is known as the “town of animation”. The earliest anime businesses started here. Toei Animation, a famous studio, has its headquarters in Nerima. They made Japan’s first full-length color anime film, “The Tale of the White Serpent.” Mushi Production, another studio, created the first anime TV series, “Astro Boy.” You might spot some familiar characters around town.
Oizumi Anime Gate celebrates Nerima’s anime heritage. Life-size statues of Astro Boy, Joe Yabuki, Maetel and Tetsuro Hoshino, and Lum Urusei Yatsura welcome visitors. It is a unique atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else.
Nerima offers green spaces like Hikarigaoka Park. It is perfect for picnics, especially when the cherry trees bloom in spring. Shakujii Park has ponds with water lilies. Oizumi Central Park and Makino Memorial Garden are also worth visiting.
Nerima has a sister-city relationship with Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. There is even a Nerima Gardens in Ipswich. Nerima also has ties with Haidian District in Beijing, China.
Nerima is a blend of history, culture, and modern life. From its agricultural past to its role in animation, it is a special place in Tokyo. As you explore Nerima, remember its story and appreciate its unique character.