3 Best Sights in Tama, Tokyo

For some traditional Japanese relaxation, head to this smart hot-spring facility a couple of minutes south of Sanrio Puroland. It has nine indoor and outdoor, gender-separated baths, a sauna, and a salon that offers massages and facials. There’s also an on-site restaurant that serves soba noodles, simple set menus, and sweet treats.

As a theme park dedicated to the world's most famous white feline—Hello Kitty, of course—Sanrio Puroland is effectively a shrine to the concept of cuteness. An all-day passport allows for unlimited access to multiple attractions, including three theaters, a boat ride, and the Lady Kitty House—one of many park features seemingly designed for taking selfies. Pens, packaged snacks, and plush toys are readily available so you don't have to leave empty-handed.

More a wildlife park than a zoo, this facility in Hino City (just north of Tama) gives animals room to roam; moats typically separate them from you, although, for an additional fee, you can take a bus ride through the lion enclosure for an up-close experience. To get here from Tama's main sights, take the Tama Monorail four stops from Tama Center Station to Tamadobutsu-koen Station.