Station-front walk — strolling the Higashimurayama and Kumegawa shopping streets

✿Around Higashimurayama Station — basing yourself at the west exit's “Sunpalne”

At Higashimurayama Station's west exit is the citizens' station “Sunpalne.” Opened in 2009 and themed on health, relaxation and exchange, it's about a one-minute walk from the station. It's handy as a base for tourist information and a rest. Restaurants and shops line the station area, and from here you can also walk to the three landmark spots such as Shofukuji and Kitayama Park. Feeling the town's atmosphere at the station first, then starting your walk, is a nice approach.

✿Around Kumegawa Station — the shopping streets and the “Awa Odori” stage

Around the town's other gateway, Kumegawa Station, are shopping streets like “Wing-dori” and the “Shopping Promenade Yasaka.” Lined with restaurants and individual shops, it's an area where you can feel local life. And this Kumegawa station front is also the stage for the “Higashimurayama Kumegawa Awa Odori,” held each autumn. On the festival day, the shopping streets bustle with stalls and the station front fills with the energy of the dance. Being able to enjoy both faces — the everyday shopping street and the festival-day one — is the charm of the Kumegawa station front.

✿At night, to the station-front izakaya

Once the sun sets, the station front takes on a different face. Around Kumegawa and Higashimurayama stations are dotted izakaya and eateries loved by locals. Enjoying the town's night with local sake or craft beer in hand — we cover that grown-up walk in detail in another column.