3 Best Things To Do In Chic Old Tokyo, Kagurazaka. Enjoy Walking Streets and feel Japanese Culture

Kagurazaka- one of the best places for a stroll in Tokyo. Learn about the town’s history as a Geisha district and some places to visit in this article. Enjoy walking streets at Kagurazaka, and feel Japanese culture.

Summary

Kagurazaka- one of the best places for a stroll in Tokyo. Learn about the town’s history as a Geisha district and some places to visit in this article. It’s a rare area in Tokyo where old Japan still exists, together with French restaurants and modern architecture.

History Of Kagurazaka

kagurazaka tokyo Away from flashy multistory video screens, high-rise concrete buildings and jammed streets, the Tokyo district of Kagurazaka has retained a historical townscape of classical Tokyo while adjusting flexibly to modern-day needs. It’s where renowned writer Natsume Soseki called home a century ago and where Kengo Kuma, architect of the stadium for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, now calls home. In fact, get off Kagurazaka station and you’ll immediately walk into two of Kengo Kuma’s works. Akagi shrine and the apartment complex next to it, and La Kagu, a middle-sized shopping center that was formerly a publisher’s warehouse. kagurazaka tokyo

Akagi Shrine

Kagurazaka is also known as “Little Paris.” After a French school opened there many French expatriates have chosen to live in the district. It’s where some of the most popular French restaurants, bakeries and cheese shops in Japan can be found.

Back in the Edo Period (1603-1868), many samurai lived in Kagurazaka, as it was the path to Edo castle. Many temples and shrines were constructed in the district and surrounding it, entertainment flourished. In 1857, the government declared Kagurazaka district as Hanamichi, literally flower town, or official geisha district. It flourished even more after Tokyo became Japan’s new capital in 1868, and even more so after access became easier with the opening of Iidabashi train station near by. Popularity further increased after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, as Kagurazaka was one of the few districts in Tokyo that had minimal damage. Fancy Ginza stores opened their stores there. kagurazaka tokyo The downfall was World War II when many old houses and traditional temples and shrines in Kagurazaka were destroyed. While the district revived quickly afterwards, other areas of Tokyo that integrated modern technology and architecture, gained increasingly popular as hubs for entertainment. Despite that, Kagurazaka’s residents placed importance in preserving the town’s traditional atmosphere, while integrating Western concepts and modern technology, developing it into a chic, sophisticated Hanamachi. kagurazaka tokyo Kagurazaka remains as one of Tokyo’s six Hanamachi. Hanamachi is a district with renowned Ryotei or high-end Japanese restaurants that cannot be entered without a personal introduction, geisha houses, and teahouses, often located in the backstreets. It is the area where one can ask for Geisha to come to enjoy dance and singing or instrumental performances. At one point Kagurazaka is thought to have had 700 Geisha in the district, and also a good number of prostitutes. It should be noted that Geisha and prostitutes should not be thought of as the same as Geisha were never considered prostitutes. Today, with other forms of entertainment, the number of Geisha in Kagurazaka has decreased to about 20 to 30, and Ryotei have decreased to four major ones. With the country’s trend, the town is no longer a Geisha-centered district but Geisha culture still remains and selected Tokyo elites still dine there.

3 Best Things To Do At Kagurazaka

Here are three places to consider stopping by when exploring this chic, traditional area of Tokyo.

Bishamonten Zenkokuji TempleBishamonten is originally a Hindu god. After being absorbed by Buddhism, it evolved into a god that makes all wishes come true. This temple is the symbol of Kagurazaka. It was first built in 1595 and relocated to Kagurazaka in 1792, becoming the center of the town. Kagurazaka started to flourish as an entertainment district after this temple’s arrival.
Kakurenbo Yokocho AlleyIn the backstreets surrounding this temple, there is the Kakurenbo Yokocho alley, a narrow stone-paved walking street that have preserved the traditional Japan culture townscape. It’s called Kakurenbo (lit. hide and seek) because the street is like a big maze with dead ends. Back in the day, there were many famous Ryoteis along the Kakurenbo Yokocho Alley. Now there are many stylish restaurants; a perfect place to have lunch or dinner. Visit other alleys such as the Geisha Shindo and Hyogo Yokocho alley too.
La Kagu, the new shopping center of Kagurazaka
The wooden staircase takes you to one of the best places for some serious shopping. As mentioned earlier, this shopping center was designed by Kengo Kuma, and opened in 2014. Shop there for some stylish furniture, books, clothes, fashion items, and stationery. Take a break from walking and shopping on the wooden stairs.

Explore Kagurazaka And Find Your Favorite Spot!

Explore Kagurazaka, a town with a great mix of old and new Tokyo. Just so you know, if you want more historical background, learn more about Japanese culture or about the Geisha in Kagurazaka or simply want someone who can show you around all the cool places in Kagurazaka, booking a personal tour is always an option. Check out this tour, "Walking around Kagurazaka, historic and stylish shopping street"