Guide · Akihabara

Part of: Anime Places to Visit in Tokyo: 9 Real Spots

Hasegawa Machiko Museum: Sazae-san's Creator in Setagaya, and What Is On

The Hasegawa Machiko Art Museum and the Hasegawa Machiko Memorial Museum, at 1-30-6 Sakura-shinmachi, Setagaya, are dedicated to the creator of Sazae-san, the family manga whose TV anime holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running animated TV series. One ticket covers both buildings, bought at reception. The nearest station is Sakura-shinmachi on the Tōkyū Den-en-toshi line, seven minutes away. They close on Mondays. I run private anime tours in Akihabara most weeks, and this is the museum I suggest to fans of classic manga.

Until 8 November 2026, the Memorial Museum shows a Sazae-san 80th-anniversary exhibition, and the Art Museum a wood-carving collection exhibition.

What is at the Hasegawa Machiko Museum?

Two buildings on one ticket. The Art Museum shows collection exhibitions; the Memorial Museum covers Hasegawa and her manga, including Sazae-san, with a special-exhibition gallery on its 2nd floor. Exhibitions change through the year, with short closures in between.

For other manga and anime museums in Tokyo, see anime places to visit in Tokyo. For the anime shopping side of your trip, my Akihabara anime tour.

How do you visit?

Buy a ticket at reception; it covers both the Art Museum and the Memorial Museum. Groups should contact the museum in advance. The museum is part of the Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass. It closes on Mondays (or the next day after a holiday), during exhibition changes and over New Year, so check the official calendar.

This is the honest section. The museum centres on one artist and her work, so it suits fans of classic manga more than fans of recent action anime. Check the official calendar before you go, because exhibition changes close it for a week or more.

How do you get there?

From Sakura-shinmachi Station on the Tōkyū Den-en-toshi line, walk about seven minutes. Tōkyū buses from Meguro Station (Kuro 07) and Toritsu-daigaku Station (Toritsu 01) stop at Sakura-shinmachi 1-chōme, a minute away.

Sakura-shinmachi is on the line from Shibuya, so it pairs with a Shibuya afternoon. For more classic-manga history, the Toei Animation Museum and the Suginami Animation Museum cover the animation side.

Is the Hasegawa Machiko Museum worth visiting?

For manga history and Sazae-san fans, yes: two exhibitions on one ticket, dedicated to the artist behind the record-holding anime. For a first anime trip focused on recent series, Tokyo's anime districts may be a better use of the time.

If you shop tax-free on your trip, from 1 November 2026 you pay the tax at the till and get it back after a customs check at the airport. The museum has a shop and café.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Hasegawa Machiko Museum? At 1-30-6 Sakura-shinmachi, Setagaya, about seven minutes from Sakura-shinmachi Station.

Does one ticket cover the Art Museum and the Memorial Museum? Yes. The admission ticket covers both buildings.

Do I need to book the Hasegawa Machiko Museum? No booking is mentioned for individual visitors; buy at reception. Groups should contact the museum first.

When is the Hasegawa Machiko Museum closed? Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday), during exhibition changes and over New Year.

What is on at the Hasegawa Machiko Museum now? A Sazae-san 80th-anniversary exhibition and a wood-carving collection exhibition, both until 8 November 2026.

Sazae-san in Setagaya, anime in Akihabara

If you would like an Akihabara day chosen around the series you love, Adventure in Akihabara with Anime is my private half-day walk, three to four hours, never shared with other guests. The price is on the tour page.

About the author. I am Yuuki, a Japanese teacher and Akihabara anime tour guide based in Tokyo. I run private anime tours here most weeks, rated 4.96★ on Airbnb across 171 reviews. I have watched over 1,500 anime series, which is either a qualification or a warning depending on your point of view.

See the Akihabara anime tour →

Sources: Hasegawa Machiko Art Museum, Official site (news; current exhibitions and dates; visitor information: closing days, one ticket for both buildings, reception sales, Grutto Pass, groups; access: address, Sakura-shinmachi Station 7 minutes, Tōkyū bus routes, limited parking; anime Sazae-san Guinness record), Art Museum, Memorial Museum and Shop and café. All checked 4 October 2026. Opening hours and prices are deliberately not given.