The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku (Let’s Walk Kagurazaka)

Kagurazaka Street Walk: Things to Do in Shinjuku

The tour ‘Explore the Charming Cobblestone Streets of Kagurazaka and Visit Famous Shops,’ listed in ‘The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku,’ is also offered by our company as ‘Kagurazaka Walking Tour.'”

Kagurazaka derives its name from the words “kagura” and “zaka.” “Kagura” means “music of the gods,” and “zaka” means “slope” in Japanese. In Japanese, the character for “slope” is read as SAKA or ZAKA. For example, 大坂 Osaka (in older kanji) is read as “Osaka,” where “坂saka” is pronounced as SAKA, while Kagurazaka is pronounced as “Kagurazaka,” where “坂zaka” is pronounced as ZAKA. When you see names with SAKA or ZAKA in Japanese place names, it indicates a town with many slopes or a town that used to have many slopes, making exploring enjoyable.

Kagurazaka Area Has 19 Slopes: The Charms of Climbing

It is said that there are 19 slopes with names in the vicinity of Kagurazaka. Specifically, there are Kagurazaka, Karukoza, Watanabezaka, Jizozaka (Ushigome Tenjincho), Bikunizaka, Oboro no Saka, Akagizaka, Hyotanzaka, Aioizaka, Gomizaka, Gotenzaka, Sannenzaka, Jizozaka (Fukurocho), Asahizaka, Sodesurizaka, Bentenzaka, Shinzaka, Yureizaka, Ousaka. Kagurazaka is characterized by its slopes, with an elevation difference. The highest point around Akagi Shrine is 24 meters above sea level.

I enjoy towns with many slopes. Slopes involve physical exertion due to their incline, but they offer various charms such as changing views and scenery and new landscapes after climbing. In Japan’s major cities like Kobe and Nagasaki, there are also towns with many slopes. Exploring such towns offers a different charm compared to flat cities, and places with slopes like Kobe and Nagasaki are among Japan’s top tourist destinations.

Although Kagurazaka has small slopes, they are easy to climb, making it a unique town in Japan with slopes lined with shopping streets. Not only along Kagurazaka itself but also in the backstreets, there are many unique shops like small sundry shops and sweets stores, making just exploring for these shops an enjoyable experience.

Many Centuries-Old Shops in Kagurazaka

In addition, Kagurazaka is known for its many long-established shops. There are numerous stores that have been in business for over a hundred years, such as Soma-ya, a stationery store founded in 1659; Hanatoyo, a florist established in 1835; Yamadaya, a Western umbrella and hat shop established in 1877; Maruoka Touen, a pottery shop founded in 1892; Sukeroku, specializing in footwear, bags, and umbrellas since 1910; Sawaya, a cosmetics store founded in 1915; and La Palette, a beauty salon established in 1922.

The charm of Kagurazaka isn’t just its slopes. It’s a delightful town for strolling along cobblestone paths. Kagurazaka’s fan-shaped cobblestone paths are said to be lined with approximately 28,000 stones. Among these, only three are special: stones shaped like hearts, stars, and diamonds. It’s believed that wishes come true upon finding these three stones. However, locating them from among the cobblestones is nearly impossible for first-time visitors. It’s advisable to explore Kagurazaka with someone familiar with the area. We encourage you to use our guide services for an enriching experience.

Kagurazaka is Beautiful at Night and in the Rain

Furthermore, I also adore the cobblestone paths at night and on rainy days. The stones reflect the light from the lamps, creating a beautiful scenery. Kagurazaka is enjoyable for strolling in any weather. We invite you to visit Kagurazaka and experience its charm. However, due to its intricate streets, we recommend exploring Kagurazaka with someone familiar with the area. The allure of Kagurazaka increases when you walk along its back alleys. Please consider using our guide services to fully enjoy the charm of Kagurazaka. You’ll surely be amazed to discover such a lovely neighborhood in Tokyo.

Book Experience

Kagurazaka Walking Tour

Clothing Rental (Samue or Outdoor Wear)

How to Access Kagurazaka

The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.