5-Minute Guide to Sugamo

Searching for a Place of Relaxation and Human Connection

• History of Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street
• Sugamo’s Spirit of Hospitality
• Sightseeing in Sugamo
• Getting to Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street
• Getting to Sugamo Station
• Overview of Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street

History of Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street

Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street, which is known as the “Harajuku for Old Ladies”, is located on the former Nakasendo highway, and has thrived as a place of commerce and faith from the mid-Edo period to the present day.
During the Edo period, the location of Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street was the first rest area (referred to in Edo times as a “tateba”) on the Nakasendo highway after setting off from Nihonbashi. A townscape developed in the area between the Edoroku Jizouson of Shinshoji Temple and Sugamo Koshinzuka.
Later, in 1891, the Togenuki Jizouson of Koganji Temple was relocated from Ueno (an area that is now adjacent to Ueno’s Shinkansen station) to Sugamo, and today Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street is protected by two Jizou Guardians, the “Tokenuki Jizouson” and the “Edoroku Jizouson”, as well as Sugamo Koshinzuka. The district is well-loved as a place of commerce and faith by many older as well as younger visitors.

Sugamo’s Spirit of Hospitality

Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street, with its array of temples, street stalls, and small shops, is a place where not only classic Japanese scenery and culture, but also human kindness and old-fashioned shopkeepers’ hospitality are valued.
Nowadays, while there are increasing numbers of large-scale shopping malls within the Metropolis of Tokyo, and people across the whole of Japan, not only the capital, make repeated visits to such attractive, fresh, appealing new facilities, the district of Sugamo works hard to “create a friendly town that values history and culture”, where visitors can receive hospitality, and relax and refresh their bodies and minds.

Rikugien Garden

Places to See

A strolling-style garden with a pond and artificial hill, this is a nationally-designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Famous for its weeping cherry trees, azaleas, and autumn foliage.

Access

Around 10 minutes on foot from JR Sugamo Station

The Former Furukawa Garden

Places to See

Scenic views of the rose garden and Japanese garden from the terrace. During the blooming season, the rose garden is illuminated at night.

Access

Around 12 minutes on foot from JR Komagome Station

Asukayama Park

Places to See

This park became a famous spot for cherry blossoms during the Edo period, and remains popular for blossom-viewing parties even today.

Access

Around 1 minute on foot from JR Oji Station/Around 1 minute on foot from Tokyo Sakura Tram Asukayama Station

Somei Cemetery

Places to See

Many famous people were laid to rest in this cemetery. It is the birthplace of the Somei Yoshino variety of cherry tree.

Access

Around 8 minutes on foot from JR Sugamo Station

“Togenuki Jizouson” Koganji Temple

Places to See

Famous for its principal image, the “Togenuki Jizou” (“the Jizou who removed a needle”), as well as the “Washing Kannon” statue, there is always a line of people waiting at this temple.

Access

Around 8 minutes on foot from JR Sugamo Station/Around 5 minutes on foot from Sugamo Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line

Places to See

One of the Six Jizou Guardians of Edo. There is a monument bearing a poem by Matsuo Basho in the temple precincts.

Access

Five minutes on foot from JR Sugamo Station/Around 2 minutes on foot from Sugamo Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line

Sugamo Koshinzuka

Places to See

Depicted in the Edo Meisho Zue topographical records as a rest area on the Nakasendo highway, this has been a thriving area since the olden days.

Access

Around 2 minutes on foot from Tokyo Sakura Tram Koshinzuka Station

Getting to Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street

• From JR Sugamo Station to Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street
  Directly from the ticket gates, cross to the opposite side of National Route 17, and walk to the right for around five minutes
• From Sugamo Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line to Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street
  Leave the station from Exit A3, and walk straight ahead for around one minute
• From Tokyo Sakura Tram Koshinzuka Station to Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street
  Directly in front of the “Koshinzuka” crossroads by the station (Koshinzuka Shopping Street Entrance), around one minute’s walk
• From JR Otsuka Station to Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street
  Walk for around eight minutes to the right from the North Exit tickets gates

Getting to Sugamo Station

• From JR Tokyo Station: Around 18 minutes on the Yamanote Line Inner Loop (towards Ueno/Ikebukuro)
• From JR Ueno Station: Around 10 minutes on the Yamanote Line Inner Loop (towards Ikebukuro)
• From Haneda Airport: Around 55 minutes in total by Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then Yamanote Line Outer Loop (towards Shinjuku)
• From Narita Airport: Around 70~80 minutes in total by Keisei Skyliner to Ueno, then Yamanote Line Inner Loop (towards Ikebukuro)

Overview of Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street

• Location 3 Chome and 4 Chome, Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
• Type of Shopping Street: Wide-area Shopping Street
• Total Length: Approx. 780 meters
• No. of Shops: Approx. 200 (includes 196 association members)
• Main Facilities: Commercial shops, medical clinics, post office, financial institutions, community education facilities, temples, public square
• Main Events: Festival Days (4th, 14th, 24th of every month), Dongara Market (Spring, Autumn), Chrysanthemum Festival, Mini-mini Festival, Sugamo Shopkeepers’ Festival (Weekend in late April)
• Association: Sugamo Jizou-dori Shopping Street Promotion Association / Chairperson: Shigeo Kizaki
• Address: 4-22-8 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
• Tel.:03-3918-2101

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