Private Walking Tour: The Little Kyoto of Tokyo, Kagurazaka

AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū is a commercial facility renovated by the architect Kengo Kuma from the warehouse of Shinchosha Publishing Co. It sells a variety of high-quality items, including rice, dashi, seasonings, baked sweets, and cooking tools, all created with a commitment to authenticity. The store also offers household goods and clothing, making it an ideal spot for souvenirs from your trip to Japan. Participants can shop inside the store if they wish.

Akagi Shrine was founded in Ushigome Waseda by Ohgoshi Hikotaro Shigeharu, who migrated from the foot of Mount Akagi (in Gunma Prefecture) in 1300. It was then relocated to its current location in 1555. During the Edo period, it was designated as one of the Edo Great Shrines by the Tokugawa shogunate and garnered reverence as the guardian deity of Ushigome. The current shrine pavilion, completed in 2010, was designed under the supervision of architect Kengo Kuma.

Bishamonten (Zenkoku-ji Temple) was established in 1595 in Nihonbashi Bakurocho under the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, to protect the nation. After several fires, it was later relocated to Kagurazaka. Since the late Edo period, Zenkoku-ji has been popularly known as 'Kagurazaka's Bishamonten.' The prosperity of Kagurazaka, known as 'Yamanote Ginza' from the Meiji to the Taisho era, developed as the temple's front town. It is said that the tradition of night markets during festival days in Tokyo originated with Bishamonten.

Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine is an ancient shrine, believed to have been established about 1200 years ago. It is said that the statue of Amitabha Buddha enshrined in a small shrine here was carved by Saicho, known as Dengyo Daishi. The shrine got its name, Tsukudo Hachiman, because it was built on the soil brought from Usa Shrine in Tsukushi (Oita Prefecture). The Koshin Tower, erected in 1664, is exceptionally rare, featuring two monkeys. Additionally, the stone torii gate, donated in 1726, is the oldest in Shinjuku Ward. While the shrine is a cherry blossom spot in spring, its relative obscurity allows for peaceful cherry blossom viewing.

The Ushigome Gate, located in the outer moat of Edo Castle, was constructed in 1636. Seeing the remains of the gate (stone walls) today, one can understand it was a massive structure. The name of the gate originated from its function as an exit toward the Ushigome area. From the side of Edo Castle, passing through the Ushigome Gate and going northwest leads to Kagurazaka. Ushigome Gate and Kagurazaka are also depicted in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Utagawa Hiroshige. Hiroshige was a famous ukiyo-e artist who influenced Western painters such as Van Gogh and Monet.