What is the Happy City MAP?
※Click to enlarge.
The Happy City MAP is a walking and rest spot guide covering the area between Oyama Station in
Itabashi and Senkawa Station in Toshima, Tokyo.
This neighborhood is filled with parks, local shops, and symbolic places that support both physical
and emotional well-being.
As the book Happy City states, "urban streets and transportation systems are emotional
infrastructure that can make or break the health and happiness of citizens."
From the iconic poplar tree stump at the former Oyama Elementary School, the old water tank, and the
cherry blossom trees in front of Itabashi High School,
to the local shops that have continued even after moving from the former Nishimachi Ginza Shopping
Street—
this map invites you to explore what the people of this town have chosen to protect and
create.
We hope you enjoy walking through the neighborhood and taking relaxing breaks along the way.
MAP COLOR ICON
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Public Services
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Business Use
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Retail & Factory
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Life Services
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Food & More
Info. ICON
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・・・Regular holidays
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・・・Business hours
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・・・Phone number
How to Enjoy This Website
Happy Cycle Gems
Happy Cycle Gems are items created using local shops, materials, and community connections in this
area.
Some are crafted with skills and knowledge passed down by people who work here, while others are
newly created by young members or children of the community.
These items take shape little by little, with the support of local businesses and the spirit of
doing what we can, together.
Sometimes, a Gem may be almost exactly as found in a local store.
Other times, it might feel unfinished—but either way, we always include a clear explanation of the
story behind each item.
We hope that when you pick one up, you’ll enjoy becoming part of the process by polishing and
shaping it together with us.
Happy Cycle Gems - GUIDE SHOP Locations
Happy Cycle Gems are available for purchase through our online shop,
as well as at the three GUIDE SHOPS listed below and various Spot locations featured on the Happy
City MAP.
Inspired by the concept of the Happy City MAP — “TAKE A WALK AND TAKE A NAP” —
we offer items perfect for strolling through town or taking a refreshing break.
We also feature collaborative items created with Happy Cities around the world.
At our GUIDE SHOP locations, we host interactive workshops where you can join in making some of the
goods yourself.
Please feel free to stop by!
* Prices, product availability, and inventory may vary by store.
* We will be introducing available items on each Spot’s page in the future.
* For the latest information, please contact us via this website or visit TAKE A NAP (Oyama
Saiwaicho location).
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Cafe Frontier
TAKE A NAP – Oyama Saiwaicho
TAKE A NAP – Senkawa Saiwaicho
PJ Base - TAKE A NAP((Oyama Saiwaicho))
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his project hub consists of two workspaces within walking distance:
the Senkawa location, ideal for focused design and creative work,
and the spacious Oyama location, perfect for collaboration.
At the Oyama branch, you can also enjoy hands-on making with tools like a laser cutter and large-format poster printer.
It's a place where creativity and productivity come together.-
Oyama Saiwaicho Store
You’re welcome to hold meetings and consultations about creative projects here.
Perfect for those who want to collaborate and work with others.- Fukundo Building 3F, 8-4 Saiwaicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
- 30 seconds on foot from
“Dairoku Elementary School” bus stop (Kokusai Kogyo Bus) - 10-minute walk from Oyama Station (Tobu Tojo Line)
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Wi-Fi
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Free Drink
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Monitor
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Chargers
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Refrigerator
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Private
Booths -
Laser
Cutter -
Startup
Support
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About the Project
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01Planning & Purpose
In 2023, the project was created by two people, and in 2024, it was developed by four team members—three living in the neighborhood and one who commuted to help.
We worked on this project with the hope that the places where we live and work could become meaningful and helpful to others.
We interviewed local shops that we use during lunch breaks or between work, and also created videos to share their stories.
Even those who don’t live in the area can discover its charm, and we hope this can be a way to introduce the neighborhood to friends and acquaintances.
Moving forward, we’ll continue to take on new challenges—creating maps, videos, items, and hosting events—with the help of many supporters.
Thank you for your continued interest and encouragement.
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02Design
The design was led by two designers from different generations who were born and raised in Itabashi.
We aimed for a layout that is easy to read and visually friendly, using icons and colors to organize information clearly.
The hand-drawn map faithfully includes details such as traffic lights and bus stops, to help visitors navigate without confusion.
One of our younger team members, who grew up in Tokiwadai and started working in the Happy City area last year, said that through this project they discovered streets and places they had never noticed before.
We hope this map encourages people to explore their neighborhood and find new things close to home—and that it helps our team stay connected to this town for years to come.
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03Articles & Videos
In our articles and videos, we share insights that are hard to hear in everyday life—such as shop histories, creative processes, and how people continue their work over time.
The 2024 coverage, filming, and editing were done by two local team members: one from the area and one just starting to learn video production.
They not only featured the products but also researched the shops and edited the content to be short and easy to understand.
During interviews, we made sure to follow up multiple times when there were unclear points, and double-checked details to ensure we didn’t miss anything important that shop owners might have forgotten to share.
For parks, we researched practical details like restroom availability so that mothers and children visiting from outside the area can enjoy the town with peace of mind.
We hope you’ll enjoy checking it out during your next walk.
The latest business information and closures for each restaurant listed on the MAP,
For reservations, menus, etc., please inquire directly with the restaurant
Please contact each restaurant directly for the latest information.ContactContact
Requests and requests for this MAP installation and coverage,
and inquiries about each GuideShop
and each GuideShop, please contact us here.
