{"id":27455,"date":"2018-05-11T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2018-05-10T23:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=27455"},"modified":"2020-07-22T23:44:51","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T14:44:51","slug":"tokyo-kagurazaka-little-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tokyo-kagurazaka-little-kyoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Kagurazaka: A Little Kyoto in Tokyo, and What to Find Nearby"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tokyo’s “Little Kyoto”<\/h2>\n

<\/b>If you find yourself in Tokyo<\/strong>, but daydream about the picturesque shrines<\/strong>, temples<\/strong> and gardens<\/strong> of Kyoto<\/strong>, then\u00a0Kagurazaka\u2014little Kyoto in Tokyo\u2014should be the\u00a0next stop on your hit list<\/strong>. Tucked away in a less-frequented area of Tokyo, Kagurazaka is best known for its stylish caf\u00e9s<\/strong>, restaurants<\/strong> and shops<\/strong>. But, and it\u2019s a big<\/i>\u00a0“but,”\u00a0<\/i>there is a side of Kagurazaka which has remained somewhat\u00a0under the radar\u2014its spectacular array of outdoor spaces!<\/p>\n

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Kagurazaka’s bustling streets<\/p><\/div>\n

A Fusion of Traditional and Modern<\/h2>\n

Situated in Shinjuku<\/strong>, between a fork in the Kanda River, Kagurazaka\u2019s centre is also home to a cluster of stores selling a wide-range of modern and traditional goods. Although Kagurazaka was prominently known in the 1900’s for its multiple geisha houses<\/strong>, it now seems to\u00a0be a\u00a0fantastic fusion between modern day living and historic culture.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Kagurazaka<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka combines modern and traditional<\/p><\/div>\n

Kagurazaka is my new home, yet I had limited knowledge of the area before moving here. Prior to moving,\u00a0I feared that my\u00a0future neighbourhood would lack the intimacy that I had recently grown to appreciate. However, as Yoda once said, \u201cfear is the path to the dark side,\u201d and I needn\u2019t have worried. I seem to have fallen and landed on my feet. Because, what\u00a0I love<\/em> about Kagurazaka is how “local” it feels<\/strong>, with a\u00a0number of boutique stores, grocery shops and book-caf\u00e9s!<\/p>\n

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One of Kagurazaka’s many book shops<\/p><\/div>\n

Take a Walking Tour of the Neighbourhood<\/h2>\n

Always one for chasing cute scenery, this little Kyoto<\/strong> has quickly become my favourite hang-out spot in Tokyo.\u00a0Below you’ll find\u00a0<\/b>a walk through my favourite gardens, shrines and temples in the area\u2014 <\/strong> all of which are free<\/em>!<\/i><\/b>\u00a0The walk starts at\u00a0Waseda Station and ends at Iidabashi (both are accessible on the Tozai Line).<\/p>\n

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Take a walking tour of Kagurazaka<\/p><\/div>\n

Kanda River<\/b><\/h2>\n

First on the list is the Kanda River<\/strong>. Personally, I like to join the river at Waseda and walk east towards Kagurazaka, visiting my favourite spots along the way. What always strikes me about this section of the river, is how it seems to resemble a mini, manicured\u00a0rainforest<\/strong>. Especially<\/i> while the sun is blazing. The river cascades like a waterfall, the towering trees encapsulate you and the resident-owned flowers seem to dance merrily in their pots.<\/p>\n

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Kanda River Path<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kanda River’s beautiful scenery<\/p><\/div>\n

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The residential path alongside the Kanda River<\/p><\/div>\n

Shouseikaku: Buddhist Temple and Japanese Garden\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

This is my favourite place in the whole neighbourhood\u2014 <\/strong><\/i>it shouldn\u2019t be missed!<\/b>\u00a0Why? Because the temple and garden are a\u00a0full<\/em> 360 degrees of splendour. From the elegant water displays and a tea house, to the immaculately-kept garden.<\/p>\n

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Kagurazaka’s Shouseikaku Gardens<\/p><\/div>\n

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Shouseikaku’s Pond<\/p><\/div>\n

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Shouseikaku’s water features<\/p><\/div>\n

The tranquility of the space makes this garden the perfect place to relax on a bench and enjoy a book.\u00a0Additionally, lovers of Japanese history or fine art, may like to visit the Eisei Bunko Museum<\/strong><\/a>. This quiet museum\u00a0is nestled away at the top of the garden.<\/p>\n

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Finding serenity at Shouseikaku<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kagurazaka’s peaceful garden spots<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re lucky, there may still be a collection of stilts and toys available for everyone to enjoy. As you can see, \u00a0I had\u00a0a go myself!<\/p>\n

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Parks and playthings\u2014<\/strong>Kagurazaka<\/p><\/div>\n

Sui-jinja: Shinto Shrine<\/b><\/h2>\n

Continuing the walk towards Kagurazaka, only next door to Shouseikaku, is Sui-jinga<\/strong>. Like most places on this list, this petite shrine is both quaint and peaceful.<\/p>\n

\"Kagurazaka<\/a>

Sui-jinja Tori<\/p><\/div>\n

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo: Japanese Garden and Shinto Shrine<\/b><\/h2>\n

Next, only a few minutes away from Sui-jinja is\u00a0another\u00a0must-see.<\/b>\u00a0Similar to Shouseikaku,\u00a0the magnitude of this\u00a0garden was totally unexpected as it sits behind a high wall and is almost invisible on Google Maps.<\/p>\n

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Chinzanso’s entrance<\/p><\/div>\n

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Chinzanso’s bridge<\/p><\/div>\n

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Autumn colors at Chinzanso in Kagurazaka<\/p><\/div>\n

The twisting pathways lead up to different sections of the hotel via a multitude of different features, including a famous well, stone lanterns and a waterfall. The three-tiered pagoda is the most noteworthy of all though, taking centre stage at the top of the hill.<\/p>\n

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Chinzanso’s pagoda<\/p><\/div>\n

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Chinzanso’s water features<\/p><\/div>\n

Throughout the garden there are signs in Japanese and English which have certainly helped me gain a greater appreciation for the\u00a0history here.<\/p>\n

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A history lesson at Chinzanso<\/p><\/div>\n

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Chinzanso water wheel<\/p><\/div>\n

Unsurprisingly, because of how incredible this place is,\u00a0this hotel is a popular spot for weddings and photoshoots. Every time I have been here so far, I have seen at least one wedding! So, no doubt you will most likely see ladies in kimono<\/strong>, men in hakama\u00a0<\/strong>and a plethora of\u00a0happy faces!<\/p>\n

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Hotel balcony is a poplar spot for weddings and receptions<\/p><\/div>\n

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Peaceful waterfall at Chinzanso Hotel<\/p><\/div>\n

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Peaceful waterfall at Chinzanso Hotel<\/p><\/div>\n

Edogawa Park<\/b><\/h2>\n

Moving further along down\u00a0the river, is Edogawa Park.<\/strong> This park is especially fun\u00a0if you have children as\u00a0there are slides to slide down and swings to swing on!<\/p>\n

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Edogawa Park path<\/p><\/div>\n

While the kids play, if your legs are feeling strong, you can climb the stairs to the top of the hill!<\/p>\n

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Edogawa Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Denkyu-ji:\u00a0Buddhist Temple<\/b><\/h2>\n

Away from the river is Denkyu-ji Temple<\/strong>, a stop similar in size to Sui-jinja. Just\u00a0behind Kagurazaka Station, this modest shrine only takes a few minutes to see. But I find it especially relaxing because it is always calm and usually empty.<\/p>\n

\"Kagurazaka<\/a>

Denkyu-ji Temple<\/p><\/div>\n

Akagi-jinja: Shinto Shrine<\/b><\/h2>\n

Around the corner from Denkyu-ji, is Akagi-jinja Shrine<\/strong>. Just two minutes walk away from Kagurazaka\u2019s main high street, this is probably the most well-known shrine in the area. Although the shrine itself is substantially older, the buildings around the shrine were renovated in 2010 and include a modern caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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Akagi-jinja Shrine<\/p><\/div>\n

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Lanterns at Akagi-jinja Shrine<\/p><\/div>\n

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Dusk falls at Akagi-jinja Shrine<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Bishamonten) Zenkoku-ji: Buddhist Temple<\/b><\/h2>\n

Last but not least, is Zenkoku-ji<\/strong>. This Buddhist temple from 1595, is located on Kagurazaka’s main high street and was relocated to Kagurazaka in 1792.<\/p>\n

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Zenkoku-ji Temple Entrance<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zenkoku-ji Temple lights<\/p><\/div>\n

Bishamonten is one of the seven Japanese gods of fortune and is thought to grant wishes. If you were looking closely, you may have seen a statue of him in the gardens of Hotel Chinzanso! So then, what is your wish!?<\/p>\n

\"Kagurazaka<\/a>

Zenkoku-ji Temple stairs<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n