Take a train on the Chuo Line from Shinjuku, and you will be in Suginami in about 10 minutes. The city has attractive towns, including Koenji, Asagaya, Ogikubo, and Nishi-Ogikubo, all famous for unique bars and restaurants serving delicious food and drink.
*Let’s take local trains on the Sobu Line on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays!
Filled with live houses and second hand clothing shops, the area attracts fashionconscious young people. You can find vibrant shopping streets here and there. You may come across very unique shops you would never find anywhere else.
This venerable restaurant has long been serving delicious tempura in this place. You can enjoy sizzling tempura just out from the oil right in front of your eyes. Lunch dishes are available until 3 p.m. and very delicious.
| Address | 3-45-11 Koenji-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 4-minute walk from Koenji Sta. |
| URL | http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131904/13049378/ |
A Japanese-style pub is located under the train track, with a big landmark red lantern. It is a famous meeting place of horse racing fans. The most popular dish, Bariki Tofu, is superb.
| Address | 3-69-1 Koenji-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 2-minute walk from Koenji Sta. |
| URL | https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131904/13125337/ |
With a long arcaded shopping street with a touch of good old Tokyo as well as a cultural complex facility with a movie theater and a small playhouse, this town may make you feel something of an intellectual atmosphere.
You can enjoy eating a variety of items of vegetables, fish dumplings and others stewed in soy sauce soup while drinking sake at the counter. Osomatsukun is a popular dish reproducing a dish depicted in manga “Osomatsukun.”
| Address | 2-11-17 Asagaya-kita, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Asagaya Sta. |
| URL | http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131905/13011881/ |
More than 20 dishes using fresh oysters directly sent from Hiroshima, a place famous for oyster, are prepared. Yaki-gaki (grilled oyster) is the most popular dish and a deep-fried oyster is also exquisite.
* Menus in English of the two shops in Asagaya are to be prepared at the end of March.
| Address | 2-2-5 Asagaya-kita, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 1-minute walk from Asagaya Sta. |
| URL | http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131905/13171884/ |
This quiet residential area used to be home to many cultural figures and politicians, and now some of these residences are used as public parks. This area is also famous for ramen.
The famous owner chef, an energetic Hokkaido native, is always at the top of his form! You can enjoy fish dishes along with yakitori. There is a standing bar.
*English menu is available.
| Address | 1-4-3 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | https://ogikubo-ginza.jp/torimoto/ |
Ogikubo is probably best known for ramen. As one of the most famous ramen shops in Japan, Nogata Hope serves delicious ramen in a rich soup of original invention with a secret sauce. Dipping-style tsukemen ramen is also available.
*English menu is available.
| Address | 3-29-12 Amanuma, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | https://www.nogata-hope.com/store/%e8%8d%bb%e7%aa%aa%e5%ba%97/ |
This town has many unique privately-owned shops. On the south side of the station, there is a small area filled with drinking places in an ethnic atmosphere. You can enjoy strolling around in the maze-like area and stopping by at several places for a drink.
“Yoneda” (Yakitori)
A variety of yakitori dishes are offered, with an atmosphere of street stands. Gigantic tsukune (meatballs) are popular, and can be ordered with a sunny-side up egg atop.
| Address | 3-11-10 Nishiogi-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 1-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131907/13064493/ |
The most popular ramen Umakara Tonkotsu has a perfect touch of spiciness within the richness. It comes with a bowl of rice topped with seasoned ground meat.
Don’t forget to visit nice cafes in Nishi-Ogikubo. Some cafes and restaurants are still open after midnight, and welcome you after your round of drinking.
| Address | 3-10-9 Nishiogi-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 2-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | http:// tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131907/13025522/ |
Local retort curry products from Koenji, Asagaya, and Ogikubo make great souvenirs.
Psyche Delhi-san Curry (Koenji):
With a gravy-beef-curry flavor, this curry has a hearty beef umami.
Available at Seven-Eleven Koenjiekimae Shop, Communication and Cultural Shop (1F Lobby in Suginami City Office), and others
Asagaya Bunshi Coffee Curry (Asagaya):
The aromatic taste is enhanced by coffee used as a spice.
Available at Communication and Cultural Shop (1F Lobby in Suginami City Office) and La Maison Courtine
Ogikubo Meiten (Ogikubo):
This Italian-style curry has sausages in a tomato-based sauce with perfect acidity and umami.
Available at Ogikubo Town Seven
Located at the end of Star Road Shotengai shopping street on the North Exit side, Violon is a place to enjoy good live music. Enjoy a unique atmosphere away from everyday life in this place filled with antique items.
* The menu in English of this shop is to be prepared at the end of March.
| Address | 2-9-5 Asagaya-kita, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 5-minute walk from Asagaya Sta. |
| URL | http://meikyoku-kissa-violon.com/index.html |
This quaint cafe in a redbrick building serves many different kinds of coffee. It is the perfect spot to take a break from strolling around the town.
| Address | 3-10-2 Nishiogi-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 2-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131907/13011831/ |
A small cafe that offers a perfect place to enjoy music and coffee. The adorable interior attracts many female visitors.
| Address | 2-25-4 Nishiogi-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 5-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | http://juha-coffee.com/ |
Ogura Pancake with red bean paste is wonderful and can be eaten in the shop. Oguri Manju (steamed bun with chestnut paste) is a good souvenir.
* The menu in English of this shop is to be prepared at the end of March.
| Address | 1-33-5 Asagaya-minami, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 4-minute walk from Asagaya Sta. |
| URL | http://www.toraya-chinzan.com/ |
Usagiya’s famous dorayaki, one of Asagaya’s local specialty food items, consists of fluffy pancakes outside sandwiching juicy anko red-bean paste inside. Usagi Manju (steamed bun with red-bean paste) and seasonal Japanese sweets are also popular.
| Address | 1-3-7 Asagaya-kita, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Asagaya Sta. |
| URL | http://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131905/13000731/ |
One of its specialty items, Shiawase Ichigo Daifuku (rice cake stuffed with fresh strawberry), has a perfect balance between the sweetness and the acidity.
| Address | 3-38-20 Shoan, Suginami-ku |
| Access | 2-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Sta. |
| URL | https://omochiya.jp/ |
