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Kagurazaka: 15 Fun Things to Do and Places to Visit
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Kagurazaka is a Tokyo neighborhood brimming with cafes, restaurants, and small shops. Exploring the narrow, stone-paved alleyways and roads here reveals more of this unique pocket of Shinjuku, including remnants of the Edo area and geisha history. Read to learn how to enjoy Kagurazaka on a stroll.
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Take a Walk Around Kagurazaka
Photo by Pixta
Kagurazaka might be one of the most interesting neighborhoods to take a stroll in Tokyo. Tucked away in the corner of Shinjuku, this peaceful area is full of charm and old Tokyo nostalgia. Take a step off the main thoroughfare with its rows of chain stores and new establishments, and you will wander into a mysterious district of narrow alleys paved with stone where influence from the Edo period (1603-1868) remains.
In the past, Kagurazaka was a place where geisha gathered. While it still retains that atmosphere today, many stylish shops and cafes have popped up in the area in recent years, creating a neighborhood that combines tradition and new ideas.
In this article, we’ll introduce 15 places to visit in Kagurazaka, including historical spots and local eateries.
Must-visit Spots in Kagurazaka
1. Kagurazaka Dori: Start on Main Street
2. Three Charming Alleys in Kagurazaka
3. Zenkokuji: The Iconic Temple of Kagurazaka
4. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine: For People Seeking Connections
5. AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagu: A Kagurazaka Landmark
6. Makanai Cosmetics: Enhance Your Natural Beauty
7. Noren Kagurazaka: Perfect For Gifts and Souvenirs
8. Kagurazaka Kado Izakaya: Traditional Japanese Dining
9. Spots for Traditional Japanese Sweets
10. Canal Cafe, an Oasis in the City
11. Stroll Around With a Peko-Chan Snack From Fujiya
12. Melon & Roman: Japan's First Melon Workshop
13. Kagurazaka Yamasemi: Crispy Pork Cutlet and Handmade Soba Noodles
14. Japanese Cuisine Ichirin: Savor the Flavors of the Four Seasons
15. Stay at Guesthouse UNPLAN, a Hub for Travelers in Kagurazaka
How to Get to Kagurazaka
Book the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)
1. Kagurazaka Dori: Start on Main Street
New businesses like fast food joints along with long-standing shops and establishments line both sides of Kagurazaka-dori, the main avenue. The street is packed with shops, so you could enjoy just walking down this road, but there is much more to see and do here.
There are narrow alleys off the main road that will pique your curiosity. Once you've explored the main street, step off the beaten track and head into the back alley to begin your Kagurazaka stroll.
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2. Three Charming Alleys in Kagurazaka
The narrow alleys that split off from the main street are known as yokocho. There are plenty of yokocho in Kagurazaka that you’d never notice if you just walked down the main street. Let’s take a look at Hyogo Yokocho, Geisha Alley, and Kakuren Yokocho--three alleys you'll want to wander down.
Hyogo Yokocho
Hyogo Yokocho, an old alley in Kagurazaka
Hyogo Yokocho is located further down the narrow alley past the main street. Continue through the alleyway, which is just wide enough for one person to pass through. Along the stone-paved road, upscale restaurants and residences packed together will come into view.
In the Sengoku period, weapons merchants lived in the area, which is how Hyogo Yokocho got its name (“hyogo” means “arsenal”) in Japanese.
Proceed down Hyogo Yokocho and Wakana will come into view, a now-closed traditional inn surrounded by painted black walls. In the past, Wakana was known for the famous novelists and movie directors who stayed here and produced art.
*Wakana is currently closed and you are unable to enter the building.
Hyogo Yokocho Alley: Map
Geisha Alley
Geisha Alley, also known as Geisha Dori
Walking down Geisha Alley (Atami-Yu Kaidan) will make you feel like you’re passing through a secret base. There are small restaurants and bars hidden along the way as you go down the stone steps.
Go up the stairs and the path connects to Kenban Yokocho, where an office for coordinating geisha and shamisen (*1) practice hall still exists today. This narrow road is called Geisha Alley due to the office located here.
*1: The shamisen is a Japanese stringed instrument. It has three strings, and its body is traditionally made from animal skin.
At the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find Atami-Yu, a sento (public bath). The public bath has towels, shampoo, and body wash for you to use, available free of charge. There is no need to bring your own toiletries or towel. Feel free to stop in for a refreshing soak at the sento if you’re tired from your walk.
Kakurenbo Yokocho
Kakurenbo Yokocho, an alley now lined with small restaurants and izakaya
Kakurenbo Yokocho (*2) is made up of a complex maze of streets and dead ends that you could really get lost in, as its name implies. It apparently got its name from the story that if you tried to trail nobility or a VIP who snuck into the geisha district, you’d lose them completely once they entered the alley.
*2: Kakurenbo is the name for “hide-and-seek” in Japanese.
Kakurenbo Yokocho alley
Along the alleyway is a simple and beautiful black wooden fence. As you walk down the path, you will feel like you have traveled back in time to experience Kagurazaka's traditional geisha district.
There are many other small alleys in Kagurazaka, so we encourage you to keep on wandering to see where the pathways will lead you to.
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3. Zenkokuji: The Iconic Temple of Kagurazaka
Bishamonten Zenkokuji
The temple that springs into view as you walk down the main street in Kagurazaka is Bishamonten Zenkokuji. Constructed in 1595, it is a Nichiren Buddhist temple boasting a long history. Facing out onto Kagurazaka-dori, this temple has roots in the community as a symbol of the area.
Bishamonten, a Buddhist deity, has long been worshipped in India as a god of riches. For that reason, Bishamonten here receives prayers from many people, looking to be bestowed with luck in financial matters or receive a better fortune.
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4. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine: For People Seeking Connections
Picture courtesy of Tokyo Daijingu
Tokyo Daijingu in the Kagurazaka and Iidabashi areas is famous as being a shrine for connections. It enshrines gods including Amaterasu-omikami, a high-ranking Shinto deity, as well as the first three gods of Shinto, who are believed to connect all things and brought everything into existence.
Due to this Daijingu is famous for helping its visitors make connections––especially those looking for love and romance. In fact, there are more than twenty types of charms for love sold at Tokyo Daijingu!
Tokyo Daijingu is also the birthplace of the tradition of Shinto weddings at shrines, and holding a wedding here remains popular today. If you drop by on a weekend, you may be able to see a traditional wedding.
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5. AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagu: A Kagurazaka Landmark
Picture taken in cooperation with la kagu
AKOMEYA TOKYO is a popular Japanese store that sells Japanese food and cookware, home goods, beauty products, and much more! Akomeya sells many unique Japanese products that you will only find here, making it an excellent spot to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
The store in Kagurazaka is located in la kagu, a building that was redesigned by the prominent architect, Kuma Kengo, from what was originally a warehouse for the publishing company Shinchosha. Just 5 minutes away on foot from here, you'll find Akagi Shrine, whose beautiful halls and structures have also been designed by Kuma Kengo.
Picture courtesy of AKOMEYA TOKYO
Visitors can enjoy a unique dining experience here, too. AKOMEYA Kitchen on the first floor provides a menu that uses seasonal ingredients. AKOMEYA Chaya is perfect for those who want a snack or a light meal.
After the meal, venture to the second floor to find a miscellaneous goods center! There are pop-up shops with products that are one-of-a-kind, as well as an event space called soko. Whenever you visit, you'll find something new happening at AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagu.
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6. Makanai Cosmetics to Enhance Your Natural Beauty
Makanai Cosmetics is a famous brand that produces Japanese cosmetics made with natural ingredients. Makanai has an array of items containing ingredients from Japan like konjac, rice bran (*3), and soybeans, which blend seamlessly into your skin and are thought to help with health and beauty.
Makanai's hand cream is a popular product that can be used in all seasons. It is also made exclusively with natural ingredients, it can be safely used by all ages.
You can buy other items that are healing and soothing to the body, including skin care products, healthy teas, and seasonings.
3: Rice bran is powdered rice husks and germ created from milling brown rice.
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7. Noren Kagurazaka: Perfect For Gifts and Souvenirs
Noren is a popular store that also has branches in locations like Kyoto and Asakusa.
Noren also has a location in Kagurazaka. Enter the shop to encounter a number of traditional Japanese trinkets which have been remade into practical and stylish products.
These useful, classy items include kimono covers for wine bottles, bags made of furoshiki cloth wrappers, and origami earrings. Your friends will be delighted if you give them these souvenirs from Japan.
Read also
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8. Kagurazaka Kado Izakaya: Traditional Japanese Dining
Kagurazaka Kado is a Japanese restaurant where you can experience eating at an authentic Japanese dining table in a traditional Japanese home. The restaurant offers course meals made with seasonal ingredients that diners can savor.
If you feel hesitant to order courses, we recommend the standing bar area. For drinks that mostly cost less than 500 yen, you can sample beer, sake, and various izakaya menu staples to go with your beverage.
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9. Baikatei: Taste Traditional Japanese Sweets
There are many Kagurazaka cafes and shops where you can indulge in beautiful, delicate Japanese sweets (wagashi). Let’s take a look one popular spot that offers wagashi.
Baikatei is a favorite in the local community. The interior is filled with wall-to-wall with Japanese sweets, making it hard to decide what you want to buy.
The refreshing lemon daifuku (*5), made with lemon kneaded into the mochi, and the innovative “ukigumo” (“floating cloud”), an oven-baked meringue with a bean paste filling, are some popular wagashi with their own unique twists. Another specialty is the cat-shaped monaka (wafers filled with bean paste).
*Daifuku is a Japanese sweet, consisting of anko bean paste in a mochi dough wrapper.
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10. Canal Cafe, an Oasis in the City
The Canal Cafe is a well-known restaurant and cafe. This establishment, which sits along the river, is popular with its customers as it offers spectacular views. In the springtime, cafegoers can take in the breathtaking sight of the sakura trees lining the river in full bloom.
When you enter, you can choose whether to sit in the restaurant or out on the deck. If the weather is nice, feel free to take a seat in the terrace area. The inside of the restaurant is a full-service Italian restaurant––the outside dining is a self-service setup where you can choose from various dishes like pizza and pasta.
The Canal Cafe is the perfect place to have a relaxing meal, but be aware that there may be a line on weekends, during the cherry blossom season, and during the lunch hour.
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11. Stroll Around With a Peko-Chan Snack From Fujiya
Kagurazaka is a fun district to go to for a stroll, and Peko-chanyaki is a famous snack that will greet you at the entrance. With a mischievous expression and her tongue sticking out, Peko-chan, the charming mascot for the sweets manufacturer Fujiya, has been loved for over half a century in Japan.
Peko-chanyaki is obanyaki (*6), a unique dessert shaped like Peko-chan’s face. There is an abundant flavor selection, with staples such as anko, custard cream, and chocolate, as well as versions with savory fillings and special flavors that change monthly.
In addition to Peko-chanyaki, there are several other places to get snacks you can enjoy while walking around Kagurazaka. 50 Ban is famous for its meat buns, and Dolce Vita serves decadent, cheese-filled rice croquettes.
*6: Obanyaki is a Japanese sweet made of flour, sugar, and eggs, poured into a round mold, and baked. It contains bean paste or another type of filling.
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12. Melon & Roman: Japan's First Melon Workshop
Japan's first melon workshop, Melon & Roman, is located in a quaint back alley of Kagurazaka. This eatery sells various types of melons, including the Tsugaru melon variety originating from Aomori. Tsugaru melons are famous for their sweetness and refreshing flavor.
Tsugaru is the fourth largest producer of melons in Japan, so you can be certain you will taste high-quality and refreshing fruits from this city. Enjoy delicious melon desserts with all five senses while listening to the music playing in the workshop.
Picture courtesy of Melon and Roman
For a pick-me-up, we recommend the Melon Ice Cream Soda (748 yen with tax). This entire dessert is created using several different types of melon, from ice cream to soda, so you can savor a melon paradise in a glass. It is refreshing and mildly sweet, making it perfect even for those who don't like overly sweet treats.
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13. Kagurazaka Yamasemi: Crispy Pork Cutlet and Handmade Soba Noodles
Picture courtesy of StyLe.inc.
Kagurazaka Yamasemi is a famous restaurant that combines two tasty traditional dishes in Japan, soba noodles and pork cutlets. The soba noodles are handmade using stone-ground buckwheat flour; the shop is filled with the soothing aroma of soba.
The tonkatsu pork cutlet is slowly cooked and deep fried at low temperatures to maintain the meat's juice. This excellent combination of cuisine was realized by chef Saito Motoshiro, a professional who has successfully opened many excellent restaurants, with Kagurazaka Yamasemi being no exception!
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14. Japanese Cuisine Ichirin: Savor the Flavors of the Four Seasons
Picture courtesy of Japanese Cuisine Ichirin
Japanese Cuisine Ichirin officially opened in Kagurazaka in 2022. This restaurant is run by the two Michelin-starred chef, Mikizo Hashimoto.
Ichirin specializes in Japanese dishes made with seasonal ingredients such as vegetables from Kyoto and fish from regions such as Kanazawa, Tsukiji, and Fukui. You can experience Japan's different local cultures and cuisine while dining at this one restaurant.
The vegetables are procured in collaboration with local farms located in Kyoto and each dish is well thought out and designed by the chef.
Due to the popularity of this tantalizing restaurant, please note that reservations are required before visiting. For details on the menu, please check the official website (Japanese).
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Stay at Guesthouse UNPLAN, a Hub for Travelers in Kagurazaka
There aren’t very many places to stay in Kagurazaka. Among those few spots, we recommend the guesthouse UNPLAN. It has co-ed dorm rooms, women-only dorm rooms, and family rooms for you to choose from, and you can comfortably relax in its new and clean facilities.
There is a cafe space on the first floor that any guest can go into, with a barista during lunch and a bartender at night. Many guests come from overseas, and various events, including unique bus tours, are held at UNPLAN.
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Getting to Kagurazaka
You can access Kagurazaka via Iidabashi Station on Tokyo Metro or the JR, as well as via Kagurazaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. From JR Iidabashi Station, head out the west exit and walk for three minutes, and you will arrive at the entrance to Kagurazaka-dori.
There is an extremely large number of exits in the Tokyo Metro Iidabashi Station, so be careful. We recommend getting to Kagurazaka-dori from the B3 exit.
Via train, you can get to Kagurazaka from Shinjuku Station or Tokyo Station (Otemachi Station) without making any transfers.
Shinjuku Station to Iidabashi Station: Take the JR Chuo or Sobu Line (12 minutes, 170 yen)
Tokyo Station to Iidabashi Station: Take the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line from Otemachi Station, directly connected to Tokyo Station (six minutes, 180 yen); you can also get off at Kagurazaka Station (another three minutes, same price).
For those using the Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway, the Tokyo Subway Ticket available to tourists is an ideal pass to get for getting to Kagurazaka and navigating around the city at a discount.
Book the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)
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Enjoy Getting Lost in Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka is a multidimensional neighborhood in Tokyo that is best experienced by walking around and seeing where your feet take you, rather than planning out where to go beforehand. Get lost in the back streets of Kagurazaka and make a new discovery.
Read also
Top picture by Pixta
This article is a rewrite of the original published on April 23, 2014.
Written by
The MATCHA editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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