Toden Tram Tour of Tokyo Neighborhoods | Tour 1 - West Area
Toden Arakawa-sen(line) is a streetcar system served between the historic neighborhoods Waseda and Minowa, in the northern area of Central Tokyo. There are various attractions along the tramline, such as Japanese gardens, temples, old shopping streets, and Sakura viewing spots, allowing you to have a short tour and enjoy a nostalgic, friendly atmosphere.
1. Higo-Hosokawa Garden (Former Shin-Edogawa Garden)
肥後細川庭園
A traditional Japanese garden with a focus on the spring pond that lies in a residential area where shogun's retainers used to live. Admission Free.
*The name of this garden has changed as of March 18 2017.
Open
February to October: 9:00 - 5:00PM (4:30PM)
November to January: 9:00 - 4:30PM (4:00PM)
Closed on year-end and New Year holidays
Official Website: https://www.higo-hosokawa.jp/
2.Sekiguchi Bashoan Garden
関口芭蕉庵
The historic place where Matsuo Basho, a renowned haiku poet master, had lived around 1677. This place remains the view of his house and the garden in that time.
Open: 10:00AM to 16:30PM
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, year-end and New Year holidays
3. The Garden of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
椿山荘庭園
The Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is a luxury hotel with exclusive banquet halls, upscale restaurants, and a large classical Japanese garden that delights visitors with its seasonal beauty. The garden’s admission is free.
Official Website ; https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.jp/garden/
4. Edogawa-koen Garden
江戸川公園
A river-side garden along Kandagawa river, known as a Sakura viewing spot with 230 of the trees. Admission free.
5. Anahachimangu Shrine
穴八幡宮
This historic shrine is known for the lucky charm bringing fortune.
6. Omokagebashi bridge over the Kanda river
面影橋
A great Sakura viewing spot on the side of the Kanda River, some cherry trees bloom in spring.
7. Tokyo Kimono Dye Museum (Tomita Somekogei Dyehouse)
東京染ものがたり博物館(富田染工芸)
Tomita Somekogei is a traditional dyehouse that has been in operation over 140 years in Tokyo. They offer Kimono dyeing lessons* as well as free tours that allow visitors to observe their actual dyeing works. Admission is free.
*Reservation is required for Kimono dyeing lessons (paid).
Official webpage: https://tokyotouristinfo.com/detail/M0322
8. Kansenen Garden
甘泉園公園
Kansenen is a Japanese stroll garden with a central pond, used to be a site of Daimyo or feudal lords’ residence more than 300 years ago.
Official Website: https://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/seikatsu/file15_03_00011.html
Admission Free.
Open
March to October: 7:00AM - 7:00PM
November to February: 7:00AM - 5:00PM
9. Mizuinari-jinja Shrine
早稲田水稲荷神社
Mizuinari-jinja Shrine Kansenen Garden, known for the oldest Fujizuka, a mound made in the image of Mt. Fuji. The shrine is located next to Kansenen Garden. Admission Free.
Official Website: https://mizuinari.net/ (Japanese website)
3-min walk from Omokagebashi Station on the Toden Arakawa Line
10. Kishimojin Shrine
雑司ヶ谷鬼子母神堂
A shrine dedicated to Kishimojin, the goddess of child-rising and easy childbirth. This shrine is located in Zoshigaya area, favored by LOHAS people. The handcraft market “Tezukuri-ichi” is held monthly at the Kishimojin shrine and Ootori-jinja shrine nearby. To find the schedule, see their website.
Zoshigaya Tezukuri-ichi Handcraft Market (Japanese website)
http://www.tezukuriichi.com/home.html
Kishibojin Shrine Official Website: https://www.kishimojin.jp/ (Japanese website)
11. Zōshigaya Cemetery
雑司ヶ谷霊園
12. Zoshigaya Missionary Museum
雑司が谷 旧宣教師館
The former residence of John Moody McCaleb, an American missionary who lived there for 34 years before returning to his homeland in 1941. Built in 1907, this two-story wooden house is one of the oldest western-style houses in Tokyo.
Admission is free. Open from 9:00AM to 16:30PM. Closed on Mondays, the third Sunday, the following day of National holidays, during Year-end and New Year holidays
13. Sunshine City
サンシャインシティ
The Sunshine City is a commercial complex that includes shopping malls, restaurants, a theatre, office convention halls and an aquarium. Anime events are often held at Sunshine City. The famous Anime store "Animate" is located in front of the Sunshine City.
Official Website: https://sunshinecity.jp/
14. Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street and Togenuki Jizo Buddha
巣鴨地蔵通り商店街・とげぬき地蔵
Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street is an old shopping street at the front approach of Koganji Temple, known for Togenuki-jizo statue, where many older adults gather to pray for good health and the happiness in the rest of their lives. Since Sugamo town is getting popular, young people also began to visit there to enjoy the good old-fashioned atmosphere.
Official Website : https://sugamo.or.jp/ (Japanese website)
15. Oji Town
王子エリア
Oji is a greenery, historic town with various attractions, temples, gardens, and museums. Asukayama Koen Park near the JR Oji Station is a great place to enjoy Sakura viewing in spring.
Related Article: https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/attractions/oji-attractions.html