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Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka
Station is located in the
neighborhood of Kagurazaka in the
Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo, serving
the Tokyo Metro Tozai Subway Line.
Kagurazaka is a
quiet neighborhood in the North-Eastern
part of Shinjuku. It consists of
the sloping 400-meter long Kagurazaka
Street and the area surrounding
it. Kagurazaka is one of the few
places of Tokyo that still hold
much of the old “shitamachi”
touch. During the Edo period the
neighborhood was renowned for its
numerous geisha houses, of which
a few still remain in the cobblestone
alleyways. It is in these quaint
alleyways that the real Kagurazaka
still exists. If one walks through
these sloping narrow backstreets
lined with black fences, one can
still enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere
of old Tokyo. There are a variety
of shops selling traditional goods
and services like split-toed socks
for kimono, geisha wigs, and kimono,
besides foods like handmade rice
crackers, tofu, seaweeds and tsukudani
seasoned meats. The main street
is lined on both sides with restaurants,
cafes and small shops that are popular
among the young of the universities
nearby.
Even as Kagurazaka continues to
preserve much of its traditional
atmosphere, it now has a significant
French presence. Many French expatriates
live here and there is a large concentration
of French eateries. The International
French School is also located in
the area.
Kagurazaka is mainly known for its
Buddhist Temple, the Shinto Shrine,
and the Kagurazaka Festival.
Akagi Jinja Shrine
Akagi Jinja Shrine is located at
the top end of Kagurazaka. To reach
the main shrine building, one has
to pass through several red Torii
gates. Akagi Jinja is a popular
shrine and people are often seen
buying paper fortunes to tie them
onto tree branches for the wishes
to come true. At night lanterns
are lit which give the shrine a
mystical look with their bright
red glow.
Zenkoku-ji Temple
Zenkoku-ji Temple, a temple of the
Nichiren sect of Buddhism, is situated
not far from Akagi Jinja Shrine.
It is better known as Bishamonten
Temple because of the image of Bishamonten
(one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune)
that was enshrined here when the
temple was built in 1595. Bishamonten
Temple has a steep roof and a pair
of stone-carved guardian tigers
in its courtyard. Among the many
events held at the temple is the
very popular Kagurazaka Festival.
Kagurazaka Festival
Kagurazaka Festival is held annually
in the summer. During the festival,
which lasts several days, the whole
area, especially the main street
of Kagurazaka, holds a festive look
and the ambience of the “shitamachi”
days comes alive. The street is
lined on both sides with vendors
of traditional wares and foods.
A hozuki-ichi (Chinese lantern fair)
is held at and around Bishamonten
Zenkokuji Temple when lanterns are
put up all over the place. The area
looks beautiful at night when the
lanterns are lit up. In a tradition
called Houroku Kyu, people put an
unglazed plate on their heads in
order to cool off the summer heat
in the hope of being healthy.
The highlight of the festival is
the Awa Odori (Dance) parade, which
Kagurazaka is famous for and was
the first area in Tokyo to have
introduced it to its local events.
In this event, groups of young and
old amateur dancers dance and sing
their way up the sloping Kagurazaka
Street. The dancing is to the feverish
accompaniment of shamisen, flute,
drum and bell. Men and women follow
separate dance steps and wear different
regional and traditional costumes.
The lyrics to the Awa Dance song
include the phrase "the dancing
fool and the watching fool are both
fools, so let's dance!" which
prompts the thousands of spectators
to join in the spirited dance. Each
unit of dancers (or ren) has a lantern
carrier at the head of the line
with the name of the unit written
on the lantern. This frenzied Awa
Odori is a sight not to be missed.
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Kagurazaka Area City Guide - Useful information
on Tokyo shopping, restaurants,
activities, things to do and
more! |
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