Tokyo/SetagayaImage:gotokuji-manekineko.jpg|thumb|240px|Cat statues at Gotokuji '''Setagaya''' (???) is in western Tokyo, and is the largest of the city's 23 wards. ==Understand== Setagaya has a reputation as an upscale residential district, and features many areas of greenery. The funky shopping and nightlife area of '''Shimokitazawa''' (???), popular with students and young adults, is also located in Setagaya. The '''Sangenjaya''' (????) shopping district is also in Setagaya. ==Get in== '''Shimokitazawa''' is on the Odakyu and Keio Inogashira train lines, just a quick hop from Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinjuku and Tokyo/Shibuya|Shibuya respectively. Most of the action is around the South Exit. '''Sangenjaya''' is on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi train line from Tokyo/Shibuya|Shibuya. ==Get around== The Tokyu Setagaya line tram service also starts in Sangenjaya. ==See== *'''Carrot Tower''' (????????). Located in Sangenjaya, this is the tallest building in Setagaya and contains a free observation deck on the 26th floor. *'''Gotokuji''' temple (???) is the origin of the ''maneki-neko'' or beckoning-cat statuettes that bring good fortune to Japanese merchants the world over. Gotokuji station is on the Setagaya line. *'''Kinuta Koen''' (???) is a public park with a museum of modern art. *'''Komazawa Olympic Koen''' is a large public park, built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It is about a 15-minute walk from Komazawa-Daigaku station, on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi train line. *'''Setagaya Art Museum''' houses works by artists from the Primitivist School, such as Henri Rousseau. 17-minute walk from Yoga Station on the Den-en Toshi Line. *'''Tamagawa Daishi''' (????) is a Buddhist temple, and a branch of Kawasaki#See|Kawasaki Daishi. It isn't very large and the location is in a nondescript residential area, but its curious attraction is hidden: an underground passageway that snakes its way under the building. There are statues and altars with lighting at various points, but much of the tunnel is in absolutely darkness. It symbolizes a passage through the intestines of the Buddha (better not to dwell too much on the symbolism!) while the 88 Buddha statues in one of the chambers also symbolize the famous 88-temple pilgrimage in Shikoku. To get to Tamagawa Daishi, get off at Futako-Tamagawa on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi Line (from Shibuya), and walk 10 minutes along the highway from Takashimaya department store. *'''Todoroki Keikoku''' is a natural canyon nestled in urban surroundings. With a small river and lush vegetation, it offers a pleasant natural environment. Todoroki station is on the Tokyu Ooimachi line. ==Do== * '''Tollywood''', Daizawa 5-32-5 2F (''Three minutes from Shimokitazawa south exit''), 03-3414-0433, [http://homepage1.nifty.com/tollywood/]. This small theater (46 seats) specializes in independent short films, mostly Japanese. The films aren't dubbed or subtitled of course, but they're so offbeat and often bizarre that you're sure to have a good time anyway. ==Buy== * '''Shimokitazawa''' has many quirky shops. ** '''Lush''', this shop was originally a British handmade cosmetics shop. You can get good smelling handmade soaps, shampoos, bath bombs and cleansing paste. Open 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Phone 03-5452-2216 ** '''Ex''', this shop sells artistic designed stuff like photo stands, postcards, clocks, accessories and so on. *The '''Setagaya Boro-Ichi''' (??????) is a flea market that's held on the 15th and 16th of December and January each year. It's been drawing shoppers from all over Tokyo since it started in 1578. The main attraction is used clothing (such as kimonos) and antiques. Take the Setagaya line to Setagaya or Kamimachi and follow the crowds. * '''Dept''' is a good spot for used men's and women's clothes. ==Eat and Drink== Shimokitazawa is your best option for restaurants and bars. *'''Pierrot''' (''3 min. walk from South Exit'') More of a tent than a building, this cafe bar is popular with local foreigners. The owner Pierre is a French-Canadian woodworker. Free live music every night. *'''Trocadero''' Kitazawa 3-30-3 (''North exit''). 03-3476-1991. Trocadero is an authentic French bistro. How authentic? The entire store was brought over from France. The upper section is an annex of the above-mentioned '''Pierrot'''. http://www.trocadero.jp *'''Sunday Brunch''' Kitazawa 2-29-2 2F. 03-5453-3366. Sunday Brunch is a cafe. Their French toast is very tasty. http://www.sundaybrunch.co.jp/index.html *'''Mother''' Daizawa 5-36-14 (''South exit, across the main street from Pierrot''). 03-3421-9519. Multi-ethnic food and an interesting selection of imported beers, in a cave-like, Gaudi-inspired setting. Make sure you have time to kill, as the kitchen works at a rather leisurely pace. * '''Kura Kura''' (???) 2-20-19 Kitazawa (''One minute walk from Shimokitazawa station south exit''). 03-5433-2323. Tue-Fri 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM; Sat Sun 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM; closed Mon. Kura Kura has an excellent selection of beers from Japanese microbreweries served on tap, such as Swan Lake in Niigata and Sanktgallen in Kanagawa. They also have a wide selection of bottled beers, such as offerings from Baird Brewing Company in Shizuoka and Fuji Sakura Kogen in Yamanashi. Some food is also served—try the sausage and beer sampler set for ¥1000. http://www.j-beer.com/kurakura/ (in Japanese) {{stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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