Shuwa! the Ultra city Sukagawa【Great spots in Sukagawa neighborhood 】
Shuwa! the Ultra city Sukagawa
【Great spots in Sukagawa neighborhood 】
Visited on May 2022
Sukagawa City, Fukushima is the birthplace of director Eiji Tsuburaya, creator of ‘’Ultraman’’ also known as the “god of special effects.”
We are going to introduce the shops related to director Eiji, Ultraman merch only available in Sukagawa, and much more information on tokusatsu culture! Perfect spots for families with children, and of course, for special effects (Tokusatsu) fans!
Otakiya shrine
Get ultra item from the guardian of Sukagawa
Otakiya Shrine, the guardian of Oshu Sukagawa, is one of the unique shrines with an unusual name. The name Otaki means ‘cook rice for god’ and It is based on the myth of enshrined deity, Takemi Yorime no Mikoto cooked rice to thank god and it is unusual that they actually cook rice before they offer it to god.
Because the lord of Sukagawa Castle, Tameuji Nikaido, enshrined the Shinshu Suwa deity together, it is still familiar to call it with nickname “Osuwa-sama” by locals, and it is a historic shrine where Basho visited during the era of Suwa Myojin on the Oku no Hosomichi (Narrow road to the interior).
Get lucky with Ultraman, Ultraman Seven and monster charms!
The purple and red ultraman amulets were sold here for ten years, and last autumn, they added a gender mutual pastel blue amulet to the collection.
Chic Baltan Seijin amulets with silver embroidery to add style, white and gold Kanegon amulets will bring you luck with money.
Write your wishes on Ultraman and Ultraman Seven Ema before your exams or important matches!
Various lucky charm: 800 yen each
Great gift for yourself or for others! Birthday Goshuin stamp
The design of paper changes every two months. Get it together with seasonal Goshuin stamps!
Birthday Goshuin stamp: 900 yen
Otakiya shrine
Address: 45-1 Suwamachi, Sukagawa, Fukushima
Tel: 0248-73-2877
Opening hours: 9:00~16:30
Bakery ‘Tamakiya’
Ultra bread and baked sweets make ultra souvenirs !
Bakery Tamaki-ya is a famous bakery which is known to be located in front of the Kanegon monument along Taimatsu street.
They started displaying the collection of Ultraman and Kanegon statues that their second president had collected for many years when the store got renovated. They are also displaying a majestic finger puppets collection on a handmade display stand! The names of characters are attached one by one, and you can see the passion of the president towards them.
Of course, the handmade bread also explodes with love for Ultraman! It’s carefully made by calculating the bulge after baking and making it faithful to the actual characters!
Ultra delicious sweets for friends and families
Ultaraman shortbread
Ultraman cookies
Dorayaki with a cute Ultraman illustration on it. You can choose flavour from red bean paste, red bean and butter or cream.
Bakery Tamaki-ya
Address: 17-1 Nakamachi, Sukagawa, Fukushima.
Opening hours: 10:00~18:30
Closed on wednesdays and fourth sunday of every month.
Ultraman shop SHOT M78 Otsuka-ya
A treasure trove of Ultraman and Godzilla merch in the birthplace of director Eiji Tsuburaya
SHOT M78 Otsuka-ya is located near the Pigmon statue on Taimatsu street. The street has many statues of heroes and monsters!
You will get excited hearing the background music from Ultraman such as Ultra Q when you enter the store. The store is full of Ultraman goods, including M78 items! Children would be fascinated by the finger puppets and figures of many characters! Sukagawa City’s original Ultraman goods are a must buy for tourists.
Other toy stores and enthusiasts handed down some rare Godzilla and Ultraman items to this shop. It truly is a dream shop for Tokusatsu fans!
They have a little exhibition of Tsuburaya Eiji in the corner of the store. There you will see photos of director Eiji Tsuburaya from when he was young, his unique autograph which used to be called ski-boy, and a diorama of the miso storehouse where he made models of aeroplanes when he was a child.
The store also exhibits miniature sets that you can take pictures and play around however you like!! You can enjoy being like Eiji Tsuburaya!
《SHOT M78 Otsukaya》Just between us…
①The shop owner, Makoto Tsuburaya’s grandfather is Eiji’s uncle. He grew up with Eiji Tsuburaya like actual brothers.
②Even before Sukagawa made a full-scale effort to establish a sister city relationship with Ultraman’s hometown “M78 Nebula Land of Light”, local volunteers took up Godzilla, Ultraman, and director Eiji Tsuburaya by the time when the airport has opened.
Ultaman shop SHOT M78 Otsukaya
Address: 14 Nakamachi, Sukagawa, Fukushima
Opening hours: 10:00~17:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Tel: 0248-73-2488
Coffee shop Otsuka-ya
Relaxing space filled by home-roasted authentic coffee aroma
There is a perfect place to have a break after you get your favourite Ultraman items. ‘’Coffee shop Otsuka-ya’’ is located right behind the Ultraman shop! Shop’s owner, Mr. Makoto Tsuburaya opened the shop in 2001. He grew up watching his father at the coffee shop and following in the footsteps of his father. You can enjoy the coffee beans from all over the world, the rich flavour of home-roasted cold-brewed coffee, and the flannel drip with a rich aroma. In the calm atmosphere of the store, they sell hot dogs, toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast, lunch menus, and seasonal desserts such as the classic gateau chocolat and fresh strawberry cheesecake. Apple juice from Sukagawa is great for kids! Spoil your taste buds and stomach, Have a lovely time.
Morning menu
Lunch of the day
To sell freshly roasted beans, they roast every 2-3 days.
It is a must to take pictures at the Eiji Tsuburaya’s birthplace monument in the alley next to the shop.
Otsukaya Coffee shop
Address: 15 Nakamachi, Sukagawa, Fukushima
Tel: 0248-73-2488
Opening hours: 8:00~20:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Parking available (Up to 10 vehicles)
SheiShei Ramen Shoki
Try classical ramen served in an original Ultraman bowl!
It has been 16 years since they opened their own business in front of Sukagawa Arena, after training at the ramen shop Shei Shei in Kagamiishi machi.
At Shei Shei Ramen Shoki, all ramen is served in Ultraman bowls!
Ultraman bowls are also sold at the shop, and it is so popular that even people from Okayama have ordered it over the phone.
Everyone from children to elders love the ramen soup that has a rich yet gentle taste! Let’s eat together with family!
Great news for Shio ramen lovers! Light and delicious Shio ramen
More than 10 years ago, demand for ramen among office workers plummeted due to the financial crisis. The owner came up with the idea for elder friendly Shio ramen. The thin noodles are smooth and easy to eat, and the soup is filled with the umami of a blend of 3 kinds of salt to get you going!
They are also putting a lot of effort on their char siu pork, a locally produced pork belly char siu, which is delicious with its simmering fat, and soft chicken breast char siu. You can compare two different types of char siu.
Shio ramen
Beyond your imagination! Tomato ramen
Tomato Ramen has a lot of vegetables and rich soup with a mixture of tomato puree and ketchup.
It’s a perfect noodle with bean sprouts, carrots and chinese cabbage for someone who would like vegetables!
The cherry tomato on top of ramen is aesthetically pleasing!
Tomato ramen
The owner also throws unique events such as a challenge where you can finish the super spicy ramen in 10 minutes.
Shei Shei Ramen Shoki
Address: 101 NY building, 123-1 Ushibukuro machi, Sukagawa, Fukushima
Tel: 0248-72-2402
Opening hours:
-Weekdays: 11:00~15:00/ 17:00~21:00
-Weekend, Holidays: 11:00~21:00
(Shop might close early when everything sell out)
Closed on Mondays *Open only between lunchtime If Monday is a public holiday.
Parking available (Up to ten vehicles)