Traditional and Modern Culture in Japan

Japan is known as a country that always combines traditional things with the modern ones. No wonder that until now we still can see many historical places

Modern Cafe and Traditional Shrine

I will introduce a modern cafe and a traditional shrine which are located side by side. I really like Japan’s shrines (jinja) because basically I really like something to do with traditional things. It is said that Japan has about 80,000 shrines around the country!

Usually when I am not busy with the translation work, I like visiting the shrine in the middle of Tokyo. I am always amazed by the ancient shrine in the middle of a metropolitan city like Tokyo.

After surfing in the internet, I found a shrine named Akagi jinja (Akagi Shrine) with a cafe in its yard. The cafe has the same name of the shrine: Akagi Cafe. I decided to visit the shrine and also to try the cafe's food.

How To Get The Cafe

It only takes about 2 minutes walking from Kagurazaka Station (Tozai line). I see a big Torii gate at the entrance of the shrine. I went into the shrine and asked the location of Akagi Cafe to a Miko (shrine maiden) who was standing in front of the Torii. She told me that the cafe was located on the right side of the shrine. I rushed to get there by curiosity.

From the gate, it only takes 30 seconds walking up to the cafe. I saw a quiet Akagi shrine. And on the right side of the shrine, there is a building with modern design. Akagi Cafe is located on the first floor of that building.

The Menu (Lunch Set)

I went into the cafe. It was 12:45 p.m. and was a lunch hour. I only waited for 10 minutes before getting my table.There are 4 options of lunch set menu, which are; menu of the day, minestrone soup set (soup, salad and baguette), Akagi red curry with rice (Thai-style scallops curry, rice, and salad), hamburger with tomato sauce with penne pasta. All lunch set includes coffee or tea. This cafe also provides ice cream, cakes, and in the evening a la carte menu is available

When my dish arrived, I was surprised that the curry was served in an oval plate filled with rice and curry fully! The curry was made with fresh scallop, eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, and potatoes. The curry was a little bit spicy and really delicious.

After paying the bill, I stepped out the cafe. And the rainy day has been changed to a bright day. I saw some worshippers waiting in line in front of the shrine.

If you are looking a different style cafe, you should visit Akagi Cafe. At the same time, you will admire Japan's ability to maintain its traditional culture in the development of civilization.

Information of Cafe:

Name of cafe: Akagi Cafe

Location : Seven minutes walking from Ushigome Kagurazaka station (Oedo line) exit A3.

 Two minutes walking from Kagurazaka Station (Tozai line).

Address : 1-10 Akagimotomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0817

Phone : 03-3235-6067

Opening hours:

● Weekdays: 10:00 to 21:30 (L.O. food: 20:30, drink 21:00)

●Saturday: 11:30 to 21:30 (L.O.food: 20:30, drink 21:00)

●Sundays and holidays: 11:30 to 17:00 (L.O.: 16:00)

Holiday : Tuesday & the second week of Monday

Lunch Set : 1000-1200 yen (including coffee or tea)

Dine r: A la carte (price varies depending on the order)

URL:

Map: