Explore like a Tokyoite! Take a walk in Suginami, Tokyo
Travel
ReleaseFebruary 10, 2020
With great access from Shinjuku and other central Tokyo areas, Suginami is a popular residential area with abundant nature. Therefore, it is a place where you can feel the daily life of Japanese people, which is unseen at famous tourist sites. Featuring 4 stations on the Chuo Line in Suginami, including Nishi-Ogikubo, Ogikubo, Asagaya, and Koenji, this article introduces recommended walking routes starting from these stations. Find the one you like, and start from there to visit Suginami.
If you are interested in antiques and curios and sundry goods, visit Nishi-ogikubo.
・Boite (7 min. on foot from the north exit of Nishi-Ogikubo Station)
A store selling French items and goods, reflecting the owner’s passion.
Business hours: 11 am – 8 pm
Closed: Tuesdays
Address: Nishiogi-kita 4-5-24, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://www.instagram.com/boite.tv/
・NorthWestAntiques(2 min. on foot from Boite)
This shop offers a wide variety of retro furniture, antiques, and other items, both Japanese and Western.
Business hours: 11 am – 6 pm
Closed: Wednesdays
Address: Nishiogi-kita 4-18-6, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
http://northwest-antiques.com
Rakuda(1 min. on foot from NorthWestAntiques)
At this shop selling antique glass, lamps, and furniture, you can appreciate “wa (Japanese style).”
Business hours: 12 pm – 7 pm
Closed: Wednesdays
Address: Nishi-ogikubo 4-35-8, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://www.nishiogi-rakuda.com/
If you are into Japanese anime and manga, visit Ogikubo.
・Inazuma Cafe(4 min. on foot from the north exit of Ogikubo Station)
A cafe restaurant with lots of illustrative drawings from manga on white walls. It also offers a popular “latte art.”
Business hours: 10 am – 10 pm (L.O. 21:30)
Closed: irregularly
Address: Amanuma 3-27-10, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2015/09/inazuma-cafe/
Tokyo Polytechnic University Suginami Animation Museum(18 min. on foot from InazumaCafe)
The first museum in Japan that deals with every area of anime. If you want to experience Japan’s “anime” pop-culture for free, this is the place for you.
Admission: free
Business hours: 10 am – 6 pm (entry until 5:30 pm)
Closed: Mondays (If holiday Monday, the following day will be closed) *Irregularly closed
Address: Kamiogi 3-29-5, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2015/08/suginami-animation-museum/
Otaguro Park (6 min. on foot from the South Exit of Ogikubo Station
Walk amid the lush greenery of a Japanese garden!
Admission: free
Open hours: 9 am – 5 pm (entry until 4:30 pm)
Closed: from December 29 to January 1
Address: Ogikubo 3-33-12, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2015/09/otaguro-park/
If you want to experience Japanese tradition and daily life of Japanese people, visit Asagaya.
Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine(3 min. on foot from the north exit of Asagaya Station)
A shrine with a history of over 200 years. It offers popular colorful good-luck charms, called “kan-musubi,” with unique lacy designs.
Entrance fee: free
Price for “kan-musubi”: 1,000 yen for one
Open hours:
January, February, and March: 6 am – 5 pm
April and May: 5:30 am – 5:30 pm
Jun and July: 5 am – 5:30 pm (6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
August and September: 5 am – 5:30 pm
October: 5:30 am – 5 pm
November and December: 6 am – 5 pm
Address: Asagaya-kita 1-25-5, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2015/12/shinmeigu-shrine/
Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street(1 min. on foot from the south exit of Asagaya Station)
An arcaded shopping street stretching 700 meters lined with about 250 shops and stores, filled with the lived-in feeling of local people.
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2015/09/asagaya-pearl-center/
Chimoto Sohonten(8 min. on foot from the south exit of Asagaya Station,on Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street)
Famous for kakigori shaved ice made with rare natural ice topped with matcha-flavored syrup.
Business hours: 11 am – 7 pm (L.O. 6:30 pm)
Closed: irregularly
Address: Asagaya-minami 1-14-13, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2018/08/chimoto/
If you love shopping for vintage items and old clothing, visit Koenji.
・SLUT(4 min. on foot from the south exit of Koenji Station)
Offers a wide range of cool, casual old clothing, including T-shirts and sneakers.
Business hours: 12:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Closed: open everyday
Address: Koenji-minami 4-6-1, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://www.instagram.com/slut_vintage_clothing/
・REVERIE EMPORIUM(1 min. on foot from SLUT)
A peculiar space recreating a world just like one in a movie.
It is a select shop selling clothes, goods, and items all only available here.
Business hours: 1 pm – 9 pm on weekdays, 12 pm – 10 pm on weekends
Closed: Tuesdays
Address: Eiwa Bld. Koenji #304, Koenji-minami 3-45-1, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
http://kennycreation.com/shop/
Koenji Hikawa-jinja Shrine(2 min. on foot from the south exit of Koenji Station)
The only meteorological shrine in Japan!
Entrance fee: free
Open hours:
early morning – 5:30 pm (April – September)
early morning – 5:00 pm (October – March)
Address: Koenji-minami 4-44-19, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2016/11/hikawa-shrine/
For more information about Suginami, please visit:
https://experience-suginami.tokyo/
Eat Ramen at Ogikubo!
https://att-japan.net/en/archives/7729
*The information herein is as of February 2020.
