Located on the northwest side of Iidabashi, Kagurazaka (神楽坂) is known as Tokyo’s little Paris or Furansuzaka (French Hills). It’s revered for its French restaurants, traditional craft stores and hidden Michelin-starred dining spots.
The small neighborhood, which was once a geisha district, is only a couple of minutes’ walk from Coto Academy. On the weekend, Kaguraka’s main street is closed to traffic, making it the perfect time for people to visit the fascinating Japanese-European neighborhood.
Want to explore Kagurazaka after class? Explore the Japanese-European neighborhood this week.
History of Kagurazaka
The main road of Kagurazaka once sat on the outer edge of Edo Castle, serving as a connecting route between the Ushigome bridge and houses of high-ranking samurai — Sakai Tadakatsu, in particular. The small alleys were purposefully designed to be narrow to prevent enemies from following anyone back.
The relocation of Zenkokuji temple in 1791 helped turn Kagurazaka into an upscale entertainment district for the elite. It was very typical to see a large number of geisha, or traditional Japanese female entertainers and hostesses, walking around in its narrow streets.
In the peak period of the past, there were about 600 geishas in this area. While there are only 25 geishas in Kagurazaka, a few of the old geisha houses are still preserved or upgraded to boutique hotels and exclusive dining establishments.
Also check out: 11 Things to Do in Hokkaido
French and Japanese Food Adventure at Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka does not fall short of restaurants, either. Thanks to being close to a couple of French education institutions, the neighborhood has become the unofficial French quarter.
Now, the labyrinth-like street is lined with wine shops, bakeries and cheese shops. From authentic patisseries and casual Italian pizza to Michelin-starred sushi restaurants, there’s so much to unpack.
Kaiseki Restaurant
Looking for a place to try out authentic Japanese cuisine? Kagurazaka has a lot of ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) that serve kaiseki (Japanese multi-course dinner). A few exclusive dining establishments still feature geisha entertainment with shamisen, dancing and conversation. Kagurazaka Kado is one of the izakayas that serve reasonable Japanese cuisine.
Canal Cafe
Alfresco dining with a waterfront view? Yes, please. Canal Cafe is a floating cafe on the outer moat of Edo castle, offering Italian cuisine with an extensive food menu ranging from classic Neapolitan pizzas to plates of pasta. If the weather is good, opt for one of the tables on its outdoor deck. You can rent a rowboat too, but if you want to finish the day on a lighter note, angle their selection of coffee.
Dining at Canal Cafe is especially breathtaking during the spring season when the cherry blossom is in full bloom and covers the surface of the river in pink petals.
Location: 1-9 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Peko-chan Yaki Fujiya
The branch in Iidabashi is the only branch in Japan that sells Peko-chan-shaped obanyaki (大判焼き), or Japanese pancakes filled with custard cream and red bean paste.
Instant plus points for studying at Coto Academy, as you get access to limited edition items!
Address: 1-12 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Kagurazaka Gojuban
Opposite the striking Zekokuji Temple is this Chinese-style steamed buns shop that was first established in 1957. As it is also their flagship store, there may be unique bun flavors or collaborations exclusive to this branch.
Address: 4-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Discover The Japanese Culture
Besides food adventures, the next on your after-school agenda is shop-till-you-drop. You can easily find shops selling kimono, noren (traditional Japanese room divider), and traditional cosmetics and ceramics. All specialize in traditional crafts, similar to stores you’d find in Kyoto.
Noren Japanese Souviner Shop
A little retail therapy will always be a good idea to shake off the undeniable stress. Noren Japanese Souvenir Shop offers a lot of Japanese-inspired novelty goods for all kinds of people.
Address: 1-12 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Atami-yu Public Bath
This public bath makes you feel like you’re traveling back to the Showa era. Its owners maintained the building’s traditional architecture, built in Myatsukuri-style — the same technique used to make temples in Japan. Upon entering the hot bath, you’ll find a huge mural of retro-looking Mt. Fuji.
Address: 3-6 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Geisha Alley
Also known as the Atami-yu staircase, this set of staircases used to be the geisha’s path going to her office back in the Edo period. Now it’s populated with cafes where you can enjoy the rest of your afternoon or just slow down and call it a day.
Address: 3-10 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Hyogo-Yokocho Alley
A famous stone-paved alley where established inns and old Japanese restaurants lineup, The street got its name from a Sengoku-period weapons merchant who lived there. The alley conceals former samurai homes behind its iconic black wooden walls. Now, these hidden houses are transformed into high-end kaiseki restaurants and small bars.
Address: 4-2 Kagurazaka (Google Maps Link)
A Shop Called Cat Post Office
On the street north of Kagurazaka sits this small but peculiar shop. A Shop Called Cat Post Office sells cat-related trinkets. Passerbys who see this local store mostly say their visits would always feel like a treasure hunt due to its ever-changing layout and merchandise.
Address: 162 Yaraicho Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Kobo-chan’s Statue
An ode to a character Masashi Ueda created for a manga, it is said that Kobo-chan goes out for walks frequently and is dressed by the residents of Kagurazaka depending on the season.
Address: 6 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Temples in Kagurazaka
Shrines and temples of a more traditional variety can also be found around the area.
Akagi Jinja
A shrine was built in the 1300s but was ruined twice in1868 and 1945, Kuma Kengo designed the new temple in 2009. It’s located behind Tokyo Metro’s Kagurazaka station. Now, the new glass-fronted shrine has become a spacious complex that houses a cafe run by the shrine people themselves. This shrine is famous for granting wishes in the entertainment (media) business and academia.
Address: 1-10 Akagi Motomachi, Shinjuku-ku (Google Maps Link)
Website: www.akagi-jinja.jp
Zenkokuji Temple
Perhaps the most notable landmark in Kagurazaka, the temple is striking with its bright-red gate. It was originally built in Chiyoda ward in 1595 by Tokugawa Ieyasu but was relocated to Kagurazaka after suffering from repeated fires. Two tiger statues perch in front, welcoming visitors by the main hall and guarding Bishamonten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of prosperity and good luck. The 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month are the temple’s Ennichi days (temple festival) which attract huge crowds and fun festival kiosks are installed around the temple.
Address: 5-36 Kagurazaka (Google Maps Link)
Fushimihibuse Inari Shrine
A quaint shrine located in Kenban-Yokocho, it’s a few meters away from the main street of Kagurazaka. It is said that this shrine is built to protect the city from fire–and was the main stopover for geishas before they head to work.
Address: 3-6 Kagurazaka (Google Maps Link)
Heading Home From Kagurazaka — Or Not
Now that you’ve explored what Kagurazaka has to offer, call it a day and head home — or take on more adventurous and continue exploring different parts of Tokyo. Thankfully, Kagurazaka is accessible as it’s surrounded by three subway stations and one JR station.
The biggest station closest to Coto Academy would be this station, which luckily, is also surrounded by a couple of shopping malls. Need to grab something last minute? Shopping malls Ramla, Plano Iidabashi, and Sakura Terrace are all accessible within 5 minutes from Iidabashi station.
The quieter routes would be from Kagurazaka station (Tozai Line) and Ushigome-kagurazaka station (Oedo Line). Both are located in the inner parts of the Kagurazaka neighborhood, so if returning to Iidabashi station isn’t something feasible for you, these two stations are good alternatives
While exploring is a huge part of the language learning process, you can’t always just rely on exploring and trying to understand things on your own. At Coto Academy, we make sure you understand what you see and hear outside of school, and that you can enjoy the language and the culture by teaching you real Japanese.
Want to start your new adventure in Japan? Do not hesitate to contact us and we will guide you every step of the way. We offer free consultation and support for your journey to study and live in Japan.
