Walking in Takaoka to Find Memories of "Doraemon"

Takaoka is the second largest city in Toyama Prefecture and the hometown of Fujiko F. Fujio, the creator of "Doraemon." Most visitors to Takaoka come to seek memories and traces of Doraemon and Fujiko F. Fujio, and I am no exception. Since I was a child, I have often read Doraemon comics, even sneaking them into my books during class. This caused classmates in the back row to stare at my book, leading to the teacher discovering and confiscating several comic books. I especially loved watching Doraemon anime and movies at home after class with close friends and family using DVDs. These memories, like fragments, gradually pieced together into complete recollections as I visited the Takaoka City Art Museum. Takaoka is only a twenty-minute train ride from Toyama Station. You can also take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, which takes about two and a half hours to reach Shin-Takaoka Station, then transfer to the Johana Line for one stop to arrive at Takaoka Station. Alternatively, you can fly from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Toyama Airport in about two hours, then take the airport bus to Toyama Station and transfer to a train to Takaoka. Exiting the north exit of Takaoka Station and walking left for a short distance, you will see the Doraemon Promenade. Next, take one stop on the Himi Line to Etchu-Nakagawa Station. The Takaoka City Art Museum is near the station exit, or you can walk about twenty minutes like I did. Inside, there are original manuscripts and a biography of Fujiko F. Fujio. From Takaoka Station, take one stop on the Johana Line back to Shin-Takaoka Station. Then, from the nearest south exit, turn right and walk straight ahead. You will pass a large farmland and finally reach Takaoka Forest Fairy Tale Park after about a fifteen-minute walk. This park features the places where Doraemon, Nobita, Gian, and Suneo often played at the beginning of the series. The summer sun in Takaoka is very strong with little shade, so be sure to take sun protection measures to avoid sunburn.