Toden Tram Tour of Tokyo Neighborhoods | Tour 1 - West Area
Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa 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
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.
Open:
February to October: 9:00 - 17:00PM (Entry by 16:30)
November to January: 9:00 - 16:30PM (Entry by 4:00PM)
Closed on year-end and New Year holidays
Higo-Hosokawa Garden
5-min walk from Waseda Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
Official Website: https://higo-hosokawa-bunkyo.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.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, year-end and New Year holidays Nearby Stop: Waseda
Sekiguchi Bashoan Garden
6-min walk from Waseda Stop on the Toden Arawaka Line
Sekiguchi Bashoan Garden is next to Higo-Hosokawa Garden.
Info by Bunkyo City Tourism Association:
https://b-kanko.jp/spot/269
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.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
10-min walk from Waseda Stop on the Toden Arawaka Line
The Chinzanso Garden is next to Sekiguchi Bashoan.
Official Website:
https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.jp/garden/
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.
Edogawa-koen Garden
15-min walk from Waseda Stop on the Arakawa Line
Info by Bunkyo City Tourism Association:
https://b-kanko.jp/spot/272
5. Anahachimangu Shrine
穴八幡宮
This historic shrine is known for the lucky charm bringing fortune.
Anahachimangu Shrine
12-min walk from Omokagebashi Stopn on the Toden Arakawa Line
Official Website:
https://www.anahachimanguu.jp/
6. Omokagebashi bridge over the Kanda river
面影橋
A lovely cherry blossom viewing spot along the Kanda River. The cherry blossoms bloom in late March.
Omokagebashi
0-min walk from Omokagebashi Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
Info by Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau:
https://www.kanko-shinjuku.jp/spot/-/article_325.html
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 150 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).
Tokyo Kimono Dye Museum
2-min walk from Omokagabashi Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
15-min walk from Takadanobaba Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
Official Website:
https://sarakichi.tokyo/about/
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. Admission is free.
Kansenen Garden
3-min walk from Omokagebashi Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
Official info by Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau:
https://www.kanko-shinjuku.jp/spot/-/article_326.html
9. Waseda 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.
Mizuinari-jinja Shrine
3-min walk from Omokagebashi Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
Official Website:
https://mizuinari.net/
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
https://tezukuriichi.com/home.html
Kishimojin Shrine
5-min walk from Kishibojinmae Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
5-min walk from Zoshigaya sta. on the Fukutoshin Line of Tokyo Metro
Official Website:
https://www.kishimojin.jp/
11. Zōshigaya Cemetery
雑司ヶ谷霊園
A cemetery that contains the graves of notable figures, including authors Natsume Soseki and Nagai Kafu.
Zōshigaya Cemetery
5-min walk from Toden Zoshigaya Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
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
Zoshigaya Missionary Museum
7-min walk from Toden Zoshigaya Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
10-min walk from Kishibojinmae Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
Info by Toshima City:
https://www.city.toshima.lg.jp/bunka/bunka/shiryokan/kyusenkyoshikan/
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.
Sunshine City
3-min walk from Higashi Ikebukuro Yonchome Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line.
3-min walk from Higashi Ikebukuro Sta. on the Yurakucho Subway Line.
10-min walk from JR Ikebukuro Station (East Exit).
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.
Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street
2-min walk from Koshinzuka Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line
Official Website:
https://sugamo.or.jp/
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.
Oji Town
Related Article:
https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/attractions/oji-attractions
