Neighbourhood in Shinjuku
Kagurazaka
神楽坂
A sloping street from Iidabashi with stone-paved back lanes from its geisha days, old shrines and Tokyo's biggest cluster of French bakeries and bistros.
- places to see
- 5
- walk past the highlights
- 2.3 km
- Tokyo
- Shinjuku
Kagurazaka is a slope that climbs from Iidabashi Station towards Kagurazaka Station on the Tozai line. In the early 20th century it was famous for its many geisha houses, and a few still remain in the narrow, stone-paved lanes behind the main street, where small restaurants now sit behind wooden fences.
A French school nearby brought a French community, and the street has Tokyo's largest concentration of French eateries, bakeries and cheese shops. Walk up past Bishamonten temple to Akagi Shrine at the top. More of the ward is in our Shinjuku guide.
Don't miss in Kagurazaka
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Zenkoku-ji (Kagurazaka Bishamonten)
善國寺The temple halfway up the slope, called Bishamonten by locals. Its red gate marks the middle of the street.
2. Akagi Shrine
赤城神社Shrine at the top of the slope, rebuilt with a clean modern look by architect Kengo Kuma.
3. Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine
筑土八幡神社Hilltop shrine up a flight of stone steps, a quiet detour north of the main street.
4. Tokyo Daijingu
東京大神宮Shrine near Iidabashi Station where many come to pray for love and a good match.
Walk Kagurazaka in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 2.3 km in all.
Stop 1
Zenkoku-ji (Kagurazaka Bishamonten)
Start here
Stop 2
Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine
5 min walk
Stop 3
Akagi Shrine
7 min walk
Stop 4
Tokyo Daijingu
19 min walk
More around Kagurazaka
Other places within walking distance. Each shows its Japanese name for maps and taxis.
Kagurazaka Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine
神楽坂若宮八幡神社A Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan.
Kagurazaka on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
How do I get to Kagurazaka?
Iidabashi Station (JR, Tozai, Namboku, Yurakucho and Oedo lines) is at the bottom of the slope, and Kagurazaka Station on the Tozai line is at the top.
Can I see geisha in Kagurazaka?
A few geisha houses still operate, but performances are private. Enjoy the lanes and be respectful if you pass someone in kimono.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
More areas in Tokyo
- ShinjukuTokyo's busiest hub: neon-lit Kabukicho and Golden Gai to the east, skyscrapers and free city views to the west, and a huge garden to the south.
- AkihabaraTokyo's Electric Town: the centre of anime, manga and game shopping, with electronics stores, arcades, maid cafes and the old Kanda Myojin shrine nearby.
- MarunouchiThe business district between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, with the red-brick station, palace gardens and a tree-lined street of shops.
- UenoTokyo's museum quarter around Ueno Park, with national museums, the zoo, temples, a lotus pond and the Ameyoko market street by the station.
- YanakaOne of the few corners of Tokyo where the old low-city atmosphere survives: temples, wooden houses, small shops and a large, leafy cemetery.
- IkebukuroBusy commercial hub of northern Tokyo around one of Japan's busiest stations, with Sunshine City, big department stores and anime shops.
- NihonbashiTokyo's old merchant quarter around the bridge where the Edo-period highways began, with Japan's first department store and long-running shops.
- GinzaTokyo's classic upmarket shopping district, with department stores, flagship boutiques, the Kabuki-za theatre and a main street that closes to cars at weekends.
