Tokyo’s retro town! A relaxing stroll in Sugamo and Otsuka

Togenuki Jizo, a “power spot” for recovery from illness

A local tale tells how a pilgrim once accidentally swallowed a thorn but had it safely removed at the temple. Ever since, Koganji Temple has affectionately been known as “Togenuki Jizoson,” meaning “the Guardian of Splinter-removal.”

At the “Arai Kannon” or “Deity of Washing,” pouring water over ailing parts of your body is said to have healing properties.

Freshly baked dorayaki Senari Monaka

A Japanese sweets shop loved by locals since 1937. Their claim to fame is the “dorayaki” baked onsite, and the most popular flavor is salty red-bean paste butter. Try it once and you’re sure to want more.

Enjoy it for takeout or in the shop with a free tea service.

The birthplace of Sugamo's sensational snack, Ganso Shio Daifuku Mizuno

Salty “daifuku” (rice cake stuffed with bean jam) is the best-seller here, made in-house with obsessive attention to quality, famed for its firm dough, elegant sweet bean paste, and tantalizing accent of salt.

Pick some up as souvenirs, or buy just one for a great snack on your stroll.

boulangerie Bonheur only in Sugamo! Manna from heaven

With an adorable look and warm expression, “Jizo Bread” is a sweet bun filled with sesame paste.

A variety of other baked goods are also available, including the popular Happy Curry Bread, with its spicy curry roux wrapped in a crunchy exterior.

Simple ramen made with care: Mensoan Sunada

Chinese noodles made with only carefully selected ingredients in a light, flavorful chicken stock broth. The Wonton Noodles are highly recommended, a satisfying dish featuring dumplings bursting with meat.

The centuries old Kamenoko Tawashi

Made from bundles of natural materials such as coconut fibers, “tawashi” is a cleaning brush of Japan used since ancient times. This shop carries a variety of special goods, including the signature product, Kamenoko Tawashi, handmade by craftsmen using selected materials of the highest quality! Even after using Tawashi in the kitchen, it can still be used long after to clean bathrooms, toilets, or outdoors, for a sustainable cleaning solution!

Baths from the past: Otsuka Kinenyu and Sauna New Otsuka!

With a public bath and a sauna attached, you can choose your pleasure upon entering. The mural of the universe painted on the ceiling of the change room adds unique character to this “sento” in addition to its variety of bath options.

In the sauna, bask in high heat then retire to the spacious rest area. Both have hair dryers and amenities to use for free, so drop by anytime empty-handed.

Bar hopping at Otsuka Norengai!

Skewer-grilled meat, seafood, gyoza and a wide range of other options await at the izakayas in this complex that brings together ten renovated folk houses. At night, the light of paper lanterns takes us back to a nostalgic time not so long ago.