THE [WA] EXPERIENCE IN KAGURAZAKA

Kagurazaka is one of the areas in Shinjuku and it is in an area between Okubo-dori and Okihori-dori which spans about 1 km. As you take a stroll in an alley filled with the atmosphere of the olden days, you will feel as if you time-slipped into the olden-day Japan. If you want to experience the [WA] of Japan, off we go to Kagurazaka!

The Japanese sweets café in Kagurazaka

Founded in 1948, the [Kinozen] is famous for Matcha and red beans. Japanese sweets made with ingredients like Kyoto’s Matcha that have been carefully selected are extremely delightful. In Kagurazaka you will find several Japanese sweets cafés. Sweets have a way of just bringing a feeling of awesomeness to a person. The Japanese sweets are worth a try.

Spot information

• Name: Kinozen (紀の善)
  
• Operation hours:
• 11:00am~8:00pm (Tuesday ~ Saturday) 
• 11:30am~6:00pm (Sundays)
• Regular holidays: Monday
• Address: 1-12 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-9825

Meeting Geishas in Kagurazaka Geisha Street on a Friday night

Walking on the streets on a Friday night could earn you the chance to witness the grace of the Geisha without necessarily going to Kyoto. The atmosphere of olden days can be felt in the many fine dining places in Kagurazaka.

Sushi so good that you won’t stop praising it

In Kagurazaka, there are fairly priced restaurants that have extra-ordinary sushi. All over the world, Japanese seafood has clearly made its mark. Sushi is exceptionally delicious. You will find a one-stop sushi restaurant for sushi fans. Coming here fills you with extreme pleasure of experiencing Japan’s seafood.

High quality Sushi served with the Japanese hospitality

Sushiyahajime has an unearthly serenity due to its exceptional atmosphere. Here they serve high quality Sushi served with Japanese hospitality. You will find that the chef of a luxury hotel who is serving you is the same shopkeeper who had earlier on served you and now suddenly, he will be preparing the sushi one by one right in front of you! The chefs here also have a special offer for the female customers by preparing the big sized sushi into smaller sizes.

Spot information

• Name: Sushiyahajime (鮓家一)
  
• Operation hours: 5:00pm ~ 11:00pm
  
• Address: Kagurazaka TK Building 2F, 4-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

Delicious affordable stand and eat sushi 

"Tachigui" (立喰い) refers to “Stand and Eat”. This is the best place to get served sushi in a fast food model where you eat as you stand. This could be because you may be busy or in a hurry and you want to save time. It is the ideal stop over for those who want to eat and leave fast. Their prices are decent and the umami of the sushi is uncompromised. They get their fresh fish from the Tsukiji market and from there make delicious sushi. 

Spot information

• Name: Sushi Uogashi Nihonichi Kagurazaka shop (寿司魚がし 日本一 ポルタ神樂坂店)
  
• Operation hours:
• 11:00am ~ 11:00pm (Monday ~ Saturday)
• 11:00am ~ 10:00pm (Sunday)
• Address: PORTA Kagurazaka Building, 2-6-1 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Eat any and all you want sushi buffet

This academy is a popular destination for tourists and even locals to enjoy a sushi-eating system called the “all-you-can-eat “system. This system allows you to try several sushi varieties not bearing the cost in mind. They offer this specialty at a very low and affordable cost because all their staff are graduates or current students of the academy. They also do bulk purchases of most of their ingredients thus lowering the overall cost tremendously.

This course will take you 90 minutes to complete and cost you around 5000 Yen. After 1 hour has elapsed, there is a last order that includes favourite delicacies such salmon, sea urchin and tuna. You are required to make your advanced reservation by phone or through their website. This allows you to plan ahead.

Spot information

• Spot name: Kagurazaka Sushi Academy (鮨アカデミー)
  
• Street address: 3-6-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825
  
• Access: 10 minutes on foot from Kagurazaka Station 
  

Taking a stroll in Kagurazaka

The opportunity to take a stroll cannot pass you by. You must take that leisure walk enjoying the atmosphere that reminds you of the olden days. As you take this walk, you will come across 2 Japanese styled shops that have products which have been carefully selected.

There is a 100-year old pharmacy, the Makanai Cosmetics. It was founded in 1899 and initially began as just a product invented for the protection of women’s skins. These are the women who were involved in the production of golden leaves. The product’s ingredients were all natural thus gaining massive popularity.

There is also the Japanese Main Store that produces hand cream made from a superb recipe. You will also find the Karakuri oil bloating paper. It has adorable Japanese fashioned designs that are only found at the main store. In addition they have a specialty that they produce of beautifying foods that are edible! How cool is that? They believe that self-treasure begins from the inside of one’s body.

Spot information

• Name: Makanai Cosme Kagurazaka Main Branch (まかないこすめ 神楽坂本店)
  
• Operation hours:
• 10:30am ~ 8:00pm (Monday ~ Saturday) 
• 11:00am ~ 7:00pm (Sunday, public holidays)
• *There are irregular holidays so please be aware
• Address: 3-1 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825

You will find revolutionized seasonal Japanese sweets. These sweets are beautiful to behold and irresistible to buy. One finds themselves simply buying several of them.

Spot information

• Name: Kagurazaka Isuzu (御菓子司 五十鈴)
  
• Operation hours: 9:30am ~ 7:30pm
• Regular holidays: Sunday and public holidays, and other irregular holidays
  
• Address: 5-34 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

It is famous all over Japan for the adorable mascot, Peko-chan, their sweets, snacks and sumptuous flavoured Peko-chan pancakes.

The Peko-chan Yaki comes in different flavours of milky cream and custard and they are preferably eaten right there at the shop or you can choose to take them home with you. Their flavours are limited since they are released infrequently to the public.

Spot information

• Spot name: Fujiya Kagurazaka Store (神楽坂 不二家)
  
• Street address: 1-12 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825
  
• Access: 3 minutes on foot from Iidabashi Station or 10 minutes by foot from Kagurazaka Station 

Appetizing Yakitori

When the sun sets, a faint smell of charcoal floats around Kagurazaka. Reason being that appetizing Yakitori are waiting for their customers to buy them. On this beautiful night, open this tempting curtain and savour the Yakitori.

Spot information

• Name: Imaiya Honten (神楽坂 今井屋本店)
  
• Operation hours: 5:00pm ~ 12:00pm (Last order at 11:00pm)
  
• Address: Homes Iidabashi Building B1, 2-13-2 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

Spot information

• Name: Yakitori Marumasa (やき鳥 ○政～marumasa～)
  
• Operation hours:
• 5:00pm ~ 5:00am (Friday, Last order at 4:00am)
• 5:30pm ~ 12:00am (other than Fridays, Last order at 11:30pm)
• Address: 101 Sun Ascent Kimura Building B1, 2-21 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

Spot information

• Name: Rouge
  
• Operation hours:
• 5:30pm ~ 11:30pm (Weekdays, Last order at 10:00pm)
• 5:30pm ~ 10:30pm (Saturday, Last order at 9:30pm)
• Regular Holidays: Sundays and Public holidays
  
• Address: 6-26 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

Izakaya Bar hopping in Kagurazaka, drink it up!

After a busy day, don’t you just want to drink a beer and relax? If you come to Kagurazaka, you can experience a real Japanese Izakaya and reward yourself with a drink or 2. Here we have carefully selected 3 Izakaya and will introduce them to you. As you enjoy the delicious delights of the Japanese high-class restaurant, taste the abundant variety of sake and spend a beautiful and tipsy night in Kagurazaka~!

"Wadainingutsuki (和DINING 月)" cherishes every encounter with every customer. It is the so called once-in-a-life encounter. They serve delicious Japanese high-class food at a reasonable price. The budget spending at night is around 3,000 to 4,000 yen.

Spot information

• Name: Wadainingutsuki (和DINING 月)
  
• Operation hours: 
• 11:30am ~ 2:00pm, 5:00pm ~ 11:00pm (weekdays, Last order at 10:00pm)
• 4:30pm ~ 11:00pm (Saturday)
• Regular holidays: Sundays
  
• Address: High Home Ichigaya Building 1F, 1-18 Minamiyamabushicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

The second is “Washokuya Kagurazaka” (和食や 神楽坂). If you like sake, you can't miss it. There are over 90 types of sake offered, and you can enjoy 30 types of sake with an all-you-can-drink plan! The budget price per person at night ranges from 4,000 yen to 5,000 yen.

Spot information

• Name: Washokuya Kagurazaka (和食や 神楽坂)
  
• Operation hours:
• 11:30am ~ 14:00pm、5:00pm ~ 11:30pm (weekdays, Last order at 10:30pm)
• 5:00pm ~ 11:00pm (Saturday)
• Regular holidays: Sundays
  
• Address: 3-2-16 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

Finally, in a hidden area filled with flowers, "Sakanohana Kagurazaka (坂の花 神楽坂)". You can enjoy the seasonal seafood delights in a quiet and cosy space. The price range here is somewhat higher, ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 yen.

Spot information

• Name: Sakanohana Kagurazaka (坂の花 神楽坂)
  
• Operation hours: 5:00pm to 11:30pm (weekdays) 
• Regular holidays: Sundays and Public holidays
  
• Address: Kagurazaka Center Building B1-A, 3 Fukuromachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  

About Kagurazaka Station

Kagurazaka station opened to the public in December of 1964 and it close to Waseda Dori and Akagi Shrine. It is serviced by the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line with access to Nakano Station, Nihombashi, and even Nishi Funabashi in Chiba prefecture.