Visiting the Home of Kamen Rider

There is a saying in Japan: are you a mountain person, or a sea person? Everyone has their own preference, and sometimes it may be difficult to pick which destination to travel to. In the case of Japan, however, you can enjoy both in Ishinomaki, a scenic coastal city located in Miyagi prefecture, not far off from Tokyo, around a 2 hour and 40 minute train ride from Tokyo.

Amidst the natural scenic views, one futuristic monument resembling a spaceship stands proudly- the Ishinomori Manga Museum. Opening its doors in 2001, the museum honors the works of Mr. Shotaro Ishinomori, the creator of many works you are familiar with, including the hit series Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009, two series that defined their genre. Mr. Ishinomori’s influence extends worldwide, as his vision is what created the Super Sentai series, which would later inspire the Power Rangers show enjoyed by fans worldwide.

Let us explore the hometown of Mr. Ishinomori to see what the charming city of Ishinomaki has in store for us.

1. Arriving at Ishinomaki

   
   

Ishinomaki takes pride in Mr. Ishinomori’s masterpieces, and it is evident the moment you step from the train. The JR Ishinomaki Station is decorated with statues of characters from Cyborg 009. In particular, a beautiful stained-glass window glistens in the summer sun, welcoming visitors to this coastal town.

After arriving at Ishinomaki, the journey begins immediately by crossing the street to stride along the Ishinomaki Manga Road.

Access Information Ishinomaki Station Address: 13 Kokuchō, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0825, Japan

2. The Ishinomaki Manga Road

Ishinomaki Manga Road is a popular spot for anime fans, and for good reason. Statues of Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009, and different characters created by Mr. Ishinomori line up the street, making for great photo spots. The statues are all recreated in high quality, as if the characters jumped out of the series.

It is no surprise that there are many characters, seeing as in 2008 Mr. Ishinomori was recognized by the Guiness World Records as the most published manga author in history. Cyborg 009 alone has enjoyed many adaptations throughout the years and has recently had a new one announced for the manga’s 61st anniversary.

Ishinomaki is a perfect combination of countryside escape while still offering many spots for tourists. There are cute cafes peppering the streets, and the overall vibe is extremely relaxed. Every summer, the Ishinomaki Kawabiraki Festival is held in the summer, with many fireworks and food stalls to enjoy.

Ishinomaki also has a Pokemon manhole featuring the Alolan starters, very fitting for a coastal town! The Pokemon manhole project features different Pokemon across various locales around Japan, so fans of Pokemon Sun and Moon can find this spot in Ishinomaki. Not far from the manhole, a glasses store had decorated its windowsill with Pokemon figures, really showcasing love for the series.

Access Information Ishinomaki Manga Road Address: 2 Chome-7-11 Tachimachi, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0824, Japan

3. The Ishinomori Manga Museum

   
   

  Amidst the natural scenic views, one futuristic monument resembling a spaceship stands proudly- the Ishinomori Manga Museum. Opening its doors in 2001, the museum honors the works of Mr. Shotaro Ishinomori, the creator of many works you are familiar with, including the hit series Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009, two series that defined their genre. Mr. Ishinomori’s influence extends worldwide, as his vision is what created the Super Sentai series, which would later inspire the Power Rangers show enjoyed by fans worldwide.

The Ishinomori Manga Museum is the one building that stands in stark contrast to all the natural surroundings- and for good reason. It resembles a spaceship, tying back to Mr. Ishinomori’s roots as a sci-fi author.

Right upon arriving, you are greeted by statues recreating Kamen Rider and his famous car. Twice a day, there is a show that occurs here where characters drop down from the ceiling and entertain fans.

As you walk towards the entrance, you will find stamped finishes molding different famous manga authors. While the manga museum may be dedicated towards Mr. Ishinomori’s work, there is a dedicated space to all the manga giants which have shaped the industry, showing influence throughout the generations. At the end, the hand there is molded after Mr. Ishinomori himself, and you can give him a handshake for inspiration!

One of the fun things about the Ishinomori Manga Museum is the overall dedication to preserving the sci-fi vibe of the manga author’s works, and you can tell so immediately by the staff’s outfit- the uniform is the Cyborg 009 outfit itself!

Our first stop in the museum is the special collaboration cafe. The menu here has a permanent exhibit of dishes based on Cyborg 009, but also offers a limited menu that changes with the season, making every visit a unique one. On the day I visited, the museum was collaborating with Pickles the Frog, a fashionable mascot first released in 1994 that maintains popularity to this day. On the first floor, a gallery exhibiting Pickles the Frog was also on display, and I quickly decided to go there after grabbing some lunch here.

To place your order, there is a machine available right at entrance where you insert your yen in and order the menu. In many Japanese restaurants, you tend to find this kind of machine which makes things streamlined and convenient. Upon receiving the coupon, I turned it in to the counter and waited for the food.

The cafe is tucked in a corner of the spaceship-like building, providing a scenic view of the serene lake. The place is decorated in Cyborg 009 and Kamen Rider, making it a nice photo spot for both anime and nature lovers.

When the food arrived, it looked exactly as the image displayed- as expected of Japanese restaurants, of course! I am always astounded by the amount of attention paid to all the details. In the case of character-themed food, it is always fun to see how the chef incorporates different components of the character design into the food, such as placing cheese to represent buttons!

After finishing the meal, I headed out to the opposite side to visit the museum's library, a space dedicated to both the author and the anime and manga world in general. There were many original artworks by various authors all dedicated to Cyborg 009 and Mr. Ishinomori's works. The room was also equipped with an animation corner for you to test your skills and shelves of different manga to enjoy reading.

Exiting the library section, I was now ready to finally explore what the museum had in store. The elevator leading to the main exhibit was fittingly decorated with Mr. Ishinomori's works, adding to the overall ambiance of the location!

The main exhibit greets you with the different characters of Cyborg 009. Immediately, the lighting is dark, and the entire section is decorated to mimic the laboratory from the series. The details are extremely delicate, really making you feel as if you stepped inside the show.

There is a lot of information accompanying the exhibit, and although most of it is in Japanese, there are English brochures at the entrance to guide visitors into the world of Cyborg 009. You will find that a lot of these exhibits are actually interactive, making the experience much more immersive. As many of you know, one of the appeals of Cyborg 009 is the colorful cast, each with their own unique super power, and each hailing from different countries around the world. These unique characteristics are recreated faithfully in full-size through the character's personalities and expressions.

Now, in the Kamen Rider exhibit side, there are interactive games to engage in. One of them invites you to step inside a booth and recreate Kamen Rider's famous moves while fighting enemies. It was a challenge reaching the high kicks, but it's its own form of exercize, in a way! Fighting villains really takes a lot of hard work. The second game had you ride like Kamen Rider to catch villains, and the whole attraction swayed and was absolutely a delight!

The rest of the exhibition featured the different helmets the different generations of Kamen Rider wore throughout the years, along with recreations of famous scenes as well as villains. For a Kamen Rider fan, this is definitely a treat.

The exhibit also featured interactive puzzle solving sections that test your whit, really diving into the theme of sci-fi and engaging with visitors. It was quite a challenge.

After touring the exhibit, I made a stop at the limited-time exhibit featuring Pickles the Frog. This adorable mascot has actually collaborated with the museum to produce their own Cyborg 009 version of Pickles! Over the years, Pickles' popularity has accumulated into many collaborations and many versions of the doll, resulting in a majestic display showcasing the mascot character's immense popularity. Personally, the colorful combination of the different frogs was adorable to see, and I had fun looking at each version.

After leaving the final exhibit, I made my way across the winding corridor of the spaceship-like building, which was decorated in animation-like scenes of Mr. Ishinomori's characters.

My final destination was a special showing that can only be seen in this museum- a special movie. This short video features the character of Jun, said to be Mr. Ishinomori's alter ego, as he explores his budding passion for creative art, his relationship with his family, and the devastation that followed the earthquake that struck Tohoku. The music, direction, and subtle recreation of Mr. Ishinomori's artstyle really captures your heart, leaving you with a sense of hope, and a complete experience of the appeal that makes Mr. Ishinomori's works so impactful to this day.

The Ishinomori Manga Museum housed many things to see and reminisce about, and my final stop was definitely the gift store. There were many original merchandise that can only be bought here, so for fans of Kamen Rider and Mr. Ishinimori's works, this is a special section to take a part of this precious memory with you home.

Access Information Ishinomori Manga Museum Address: 2-7 Nakaze, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0823, Japan Opening Hours:  9:00-17:00 Link: https://www.mangattan.jp/manga/

4. Sitting by the Statue of Jun

   
   

Across from the Ishinomori Manga Museum and beyond the Kitakami River sits a statue of a young boy drawing. This is of course a statue of Jun, the boy who appeared in the movie shown in the museum's theater.

The statue was installed in 2025 by the riverbank and is now a popular photo spot. The statue itself holds a special meaning to Ishinomaki, as it ties to the efforts placed to recover from the devastating 2011 earthquake.

One of the things most visitors are curious about is what Jun is drawing- and it is the museum itself, hence the placement of the statue!

The scene at night is equally picturesque. At the harbor, you can board a ferry and head to cat island, one of Japan’s famous spots for cat lovers. There is a tourist center right by, and the riverbank hosts many events, so perhaps you can time a trip to attend one of those. The tourist center serves as a communal working space, and there were students diligently studying there for their time. There is also a bike rental in the bottom floor, so if you prefer to explore Ishinomaki in a fun way, this is also a good experience!

Access Information Statue of Jun Address: Across the museum (2-7 Nakaze, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0823, Japan)

5. Drawing manga at the Manga Lab

   
   

Japan always offers visitors a chance to partake in creation, and you can do so in Ishinomaki as well by visiting the Ishinomaki Manga Lab Hitocoma, a short walk away from the museum. The manga lab is equipped with manga tools in addition to a library of reference books to help you grow your artwork. The wall is decorated by illustrations of many series and original characters, showcasing the popularity of this community space for learning.

At the manga lab, you can become a creator as well by designing your own badge, which is pressed for you right then and there. This is a precious souvenir to take home for sure! If art is not your forte, worry not, there is an option to color pre-drawn lineart instead of creating something from scratch.

I myself decided to draw Cyborg 009 in commemoration of visiting Ishinomaki, and it was a fun good experience. The manga lab of course provides all the tools, including the famously beloved copic markers, which are often the go-to tool for manga authors.

Access Information Ishinomori Manga Lab Hitocoma いしのまき MANGA lab. ヒトコマ Address: 2 Chome-8-11 Central, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822, Japan Opening Hours:  10:00-17:00 (Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday) Link: https://hito-koma.jp/

6. Getting candy at Dagashiya JUMP

   
   

Ishinomaki’s museum may be futuristic in style, but there are many traditional locales to enjoy- one being the ‘dagashiya’ tucked in a corner of the vibrant coastal city.

What is Dagashiya? Translated to English, it is a candy store, but specifically, an old-school one. Here, you will find affordable candy; even a 100 yen coin will get you a lot at a dagashiya. Japanese convenience stores may be popular amongst tourists for their array of delicious sweets, but dagashiya offers the traditional old-school Japanese taste that should not be missed.

Dagashiya JUMP is a special place among all the different candy stores I visited in Japan, and that’s because it is literally a time capsule. Different packaging and advertisements decorate the wall- and so many of them have hung there for 40 years! Original merchandise from Dragon Ball and Captain Tsubasa (Captain Majid), for example, still remain hanging from way back in the 80s. This definitely makes Dagashiya JUMP a good stop for a nostalgic trip in addition to picking up some delicious, affordable dessert.

Access Information Dagashiya JUMP Address: 986-0824 Miyagi, Ishinomaki, Tachimachi, 1 Chome−5−26 5 1Ｆ, Japan Opening Hours:  13:00-17:00 (Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)

7. Staying in a special room at the Ishinomaki Grand Hotel

   
   

The Ishinomaki Grand Hotel is a must-stop for anime lovers, and that is because it embodies the soul of Mr. Ishinomori’s works in it as well. It is a modern hotel that houses many restaurants within and is a short walk from three convenience stores, making it a perfect place to stay on your trip.

At the entrance, there was a summer bridal fare with a beautiful kimono displayed. On the side, a manga corner featuring Mr. Ishinomori’s works can be enjoyed by visitors- but that is not the only attraction in the Grand Hotel.

On the top floor, there is a special collaboration room guests can stay in- a Cyborg 009 themed room! The room is decorated entirely with the iconic uniform of the characters, and there are even plushies of the characters seated to accompany your stay. Different artworks decorate the walls, and can even be found in the bathroom!

The collaboration room has a special selling point which also proves it popular among fans, and that is the special alarm clock that comes with it. When it’s time to wake up, the voice of Joe, otherwise known as Cyborg 009, calls for you to rise and prepare for the day. The alarm clock is equipped with original voice lines recorded by Joe’s voice actor, and this is the ultimate kind of immersion anyone could ask for.

The room also comes with exclusive merchandise to ease your stay, and these can be taken home by guests after their visit, making for a lasting memory.

For anime fans, staying at the Ishinomaki Grand Hotel is a must, so make sure to stop by!

Access Information Ishinomaki Grand Hotel Address: 986-0827 Miyagi, Ishinomaki, Sengokucho, 2−10 1F, Japan Link: https://www.grandhotel.bz/

8. Dining with Cats

   
   

Yahataya is tucked in a quiet corner of downtown Ishinomaki, and finding your way there is quite easy when you follow the cats. Literally.

The entire road leading up to the traditionally styled facade is covered with cats.

The entire alley leading up to Yahataya was decorated with cats, and there were real ones hidden among them. Immediately this caught my eye, and it was fun trying to find the different variations they have.

When entering Yahataya, everything connected and the cats made so much sense- the restaurant itself is quite cat-themed! It seems that the owners of the restaurant have their own pet cats and sell merchandise of them for customers to buy as well.

What makes Yahataya a perfect dinner spot for anime and manga enthusiasts is the amount of art boards, also known as shikishi (色紙）drawn by famous beloved authors connected to the Tohoku regions. These are displayed around the store and have different messages from various authors. One shikishi features the coach from the famous manga Ashita no Joe cheering on Yahataya- a wonderful dedication to this amazing spot!

Being a coastal town in Tohoku, Ishinomaki prides itself in the seafood, and Yahataya offers a delicious unagi experience for visitors. For those who cannot handle fish, however, fear not, for Yahataya also offers other dishes. In addition to unagi, I tried a local chicken yakitori dish which was absolutely delicious.

For those who love sashimi, Yahataya is the spot to be. All of their catch is fresh from the waters of Ishinomaki, sliced to perfection.

One of the things that truly stood out, though, was the chawanmushi. Now normally, chawanmushi is a steamed savory egg pudding that comes in a small container, but at Yahataya, it was as big as a donburi, or Japanese rice ball!

The chawanmushi here was also unique in that it had a top layer of soy sauce, which is extremely rare- in fact, it was a first for me. As a chawanmushi enthusiast, let me tell you that this was one of the best chawanmushi I have ever eaten in my life. It alone is worth the trip to Ishinomaki. The crab-rice that came alongside it was a perfect finisher for the dinner before we head to dessert- fresh local fruit, of course!

Yahataya proved to be the perfect finishing spot for my day in Ishinomaki, and I greatly recommend you to stop by for some local taste.

Access Information Yahataya Address: 2 Chome-8-23 Central, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822, Japan Opening Hours: 12–14 PM, 15–18 PM / 12–14 PM (Tuesdays) Link: http://www.i-yahataya.com/

Closing Thoughts

Fans of Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009, and anime in general will find Ishinomaki to be a beautiful spot to experience a part of Japan's pop culture. To think that all the different shows we have enjoyed find their roots in such a coastal town is a beautiful thought, so make sure to take a train and visit Ishimaki!