Fujiko F. Fujio Museum
The Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, also informally known as the Doraemon Museum, is a fanciful art museum found in the suburbs of Kawasaki. It is based on the work of Fujiko F. Fujio (nom de plume of manga artist Fujimoto Hiroshi) who is the creator of Doraemon, an influential series about a robotic cat from the 22nd century who travels back in time to befriend a group of kids. The museum requires advance reservations.
Doraemon has been around for decades and remains extremely popular today. So although the museum is aimed at children, it also appeals to adults who grew up with the series. While not large, it has a pretty extensive collection of Fujiko F. Fujio's work, including original artwork from Doraemon, 21-emon, Kaibutsukun, and several of Fujiko's other series. An excellent English audio guide is included with admission and has a lot of commentary on Fujiko's life and the various artwork on display.
Kawasaki Daishi Temple
Kawasaki Daishi is a prominent temple in Kawasaki City. It was founded in 1128 toward the end of the Heian Period and is the headquarters of the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism.
The temple's original structures were destroyed during the war, and its current buildings are modern reconstructions of Heian Period architecture. The main hall (Dai-Hondo), constructed of steel and concrete, was built in 1958 and houses a statue of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Japanese Shingon Buddhism. Several of the temple's other large structures, such as the main Dai-Sanmon Gate and an octagonal, five-story pagoda, were built in the 1970s and 80s to commemorate various anniversaries. A lively temple approach connects the gates of the temple to Kawasaki Daishi Station and is lined with restaurants and shops selling all kinds of souvenirs and colorful daruma dolls.
Nihon Minkaen Open Air Museum
The Nihon Minkaen is an open-air museum in the suburbs of Kawasaki City. The museum is home to 25 preserved buildings from the Edo Period (1603-1867) which were relocated to Kawasaki from all over Japan. They include traditional farmhouses, such as a gasshozukuri farmhouse from the Shirakawago area, samurai houses, merchant houses, houses from post towns, homes from fishing villages, a shrine and a kabuki stage.
Some of the homes house workshops where demonstrations of traditional handicrafts such as indigo dyeing, straw and bamboo craft making, and cloth weaving are held on Sundays. There are also daily indigo dyeing workshops where, for a small fee, you can dye your own handkerchief, bandana, or traditional shop curtain. A variety of other cultural events and festivals, such as rice cake pounding, folk storytelling, traditional carpentry demonstrations, and lion dances are held occasionally during the year.