Tokyo Stroll Supplement: Kagurazaka Area

This page is for locations in the Kagurazaka Area of Tokyo. This neighborhood is not part of my book Tokyo Stroll.

For information on Tokyo Stroll and this web supplement see Tokyo Stroll Supplement home page

For users of the Organic Maps, Maps.Me and Google Maps apps the items below have bookmarks you can import into those apps to make navigation easier.
Instructions and links are on the Viewing Locations in Organic Maps, Maps.Me, Google Maps, or Google Earth page.

Some entries on this page may include a note that says "Description to be added soon ." These entries are for items I felt should be listed even if the description is not ready to assist those who wish to plan a trip. When possible I included a link to an official web page, I suggest also doing web searchs for more information.

Atagi Jinja (赤城神社)

Founded in 1300, moved to the present location in the 16th century, Atagi Jinja became a major shrine in the Edo Period. This is a branch shrine for the one on Mt. Akagi in Gunma Prefecture. The kami enshrined here is the guardian for the local area. Major renovations of the shrine were completed in 2010 with a modern design by Kengo Kuma which incorporates glass into the wooden structure and an apartment complex on the grounds. There is a cafe which is closed every Tuesday and second Monday. There is an open air market held once a month on a weekend selling mostly original works by the creators. NOTE: All commercial photography is prohibited without permission, that includes YouTube videos. Also do not take pictures with your back to the shrine, in the shrine, or anyplace that will disturb visitors.
WEB:
Shrine: http://www.akagi-jinja.jp/
Cafe: https://www.akagi-cafe.jp
Market: http://akagimarche.blogspot.com

Bishamonten Zenkokuji (毘沙門天　善國寺)

A Nichiren temple founded 1595 on land granted by Tokugawa Ieyasu in what is now Chiyoda-ku to house a statue of Bishamonten. The temple was damaged by fire in 1670, as well as in the Kyōhō (1716-1736) and Kansei (1789-1801 eras. The temple was relocated to the present location in 1792. The neighborhood was destroyed in the fire bombings of WWII and the temple was rebuilt in 1946. In 2007 Zenkokuji was featured in the TV drama "Haikei, Chichiue-sama" which stared Ninomiya Kazunari of the boy band Arashi, for this reason one may find ema with inscriptions related to the band. Zenkokuji is on the Yamanote Seven Lucky Gods Tour, While the tour is a traditional New Year's activity you can do it at other times of the year. You can purchase a small statue of Bishamonten here as you do the tour plus a small wooded treasure ship. You then go to the other temples and shrines on the tour and purchase a statue of another lucky god at each one to complete the set. Be sure to pray before making your purchase at each.
WEB: https://www.kagurazaka-bishamonten.com/

Kagurazaka Gojūban (神楽坂五○番)

Gojūban was founded 1957, this particular shop is at the location of a former Chinese restaurant. All products are handmade using fresh Japanese ingredients. Their menu includes various steamed buns, gyōza, shūmai, and chimaki. They also have small branches in the Daimaru Tokyo department store, which connects to Tokyo Station, and the Matsuya Ginza department store, which connects to Ginza Station.
ACCESS: Close to Kagurazaka Station, Ushigome-Kagurazaka Station, and Iidabashi Station
WEB: https://www.50ban.jp

Kagurazaka Jizōya Kagurazaka-dori branch (神楽坂 地蔵屋 神楽坂通り店)

Senbei are traditional Japanese rick crackers and at this shop they are all handmade, including hand baked. Senber come in a variety of shapes and sizes and this shop has very large selection of different types including low sodium. In the past they have done senbei making workshops, perhaps they shall start doing these again in the near future.
CLOSED: Summer holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
WEB: http://kagurazakasenbei.com/

Kakurenbo Yokocho (かくれんぼ横丁)

Aka Hide-and-Seek Alley. Description to be added soon
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Iidabashi Station (JR Chūō–Sōbu Line, Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Toei Ōedo Line)

Nanzōin (南蔵院)

Description to be added soon
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Ushigome-kagurazaka Station (Toei Ōedo Line)