Tokyo Sampo: Kagurazaka

Sunday  September 15, 2013

Lazy, Rainy Sunday

Tokyo, Japan

A little over a month ago, I decided to take a walk from my place in Akasaka to Kagurazka using my new Google Maps iphone app that gives directions in English.  It was hot and humid, but pleased to say the the app got me to Kagurazaka and helped me discover new neighborhoods.  Kagurazaka is a very charming and sophisticated (in a Kyoto way) neighborhood of Japan.  There are many French influenced restaurants due to the French schools nearby.  I thoroughly enjoyed the walk (albeit drenched in sweat) and recommend visiting the neighborhood not only for the famous modern temple but for also for the fabulous restaurants.

Google Maps took me to the moat by the New Otani Hotel

Where I discovered a small part just across the street from the hotel

I beleive the park was a garden for some famous viscount.  There were many relics from that time.

But the signs were all in Japanese so I could not read it.

Google maps took me through Kojimachi

And then to Ichigaya station.  Never been there but it was bustling.

The main attraction seemed to be "fishing".  There was a line of people waiting to fish.  Not sure the fish is edible though as the moat was quite murky and dirty

About a 10 minute walk from Ichigaya Station is the "main street" of Kagurazak which is dotted with restaurants and cute shops

By the time I got here (50min walking), it was about 1130am so I stopped at a FABULOUS French Restaurant called La Matiere.  The food was fabulous and the restaurant very quaint.  With only about 20 seats I was lucky to get a table.  When I finished there was a line of people waiting to get in.  I loved the final touch where the chef personally thanked me for stopping by

Delicious fish on taboule

After lunch it was time to visit Akagi Shrine, a modern Shinto shrine.  It's unique because it is modern and designed by a famous architect - Kengo Kuma. 

Since it was the weekend, many vendors were selling thier handmade items inside the shrine

After a visit to the shrine, I walked the famous narrow streets of Kagurazaka.  During the edo period, Kagurazaka was known for the geisha houses because it was close to the palace.  The maze of narrow streets gave the patrons a way to escape, just in case.  Today, it is home to many restaurants, including Ryotei's - private and VERY expensive traditional Japanese restaurants.  Kagurazaka also is known for having the largest concentration of French restaurants in Tokyo

I wandered the area for about one hour.  It was a great way to spend 2-3 hours in Tokyo.  I ended up taking the subway back as I did some shopping and didn't feel like walking another 45-50 minutes home with a couple of heavy shopping bags. 

Comments

[Carl Lukach]

Hi Janet Snowlady. It's me Carl. I so enjoyed your report on Kagurazaka. I'll be sure to show Mary. I hope the plants are doing well. We miss Japan every day. Your travel reports help us through it. Best wishes!