Tokyo/Suginami
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Understand
Get in
JR Chuo Line and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line both connect Shinjuku to Ogikubo.
Also JR Chuo line, JR Chuo Sobu line and Tokyo Metro Tozai line you can go to Kōenji, Asagaya, Ogikubo and Nishi-Ogikubo.
Be careful! During weekends and holidays Rapid service on JR Chuo line does not stop at Kōenji, Asagaya and Nishi-Ogikubo.
Ōme Kaidō (青梅街道) is a main street which connects Shinjuku to the western burbs, running through Kōenji and Ogikubo. Straight down Ōme Kaidō, Kōenji is a ten minute drive, 45 minute walk or 1600 yen taxi from Shinjuku Station.
See
Suginami Municipal MuseumIt is small but has some interesting findings from the prehistoric and historic times.
NamisukeNamisuke is Suginami's official character and can be seen in posters on walls and loaves in convenience stores.
Myōshō-ji TempleMyosyoji Temple built in 1325, then rebuilt in 1646. Myosyoji park and Myosyoji river are nearby.
Myōshōji RiverThe Myoshoji River starts from Myoshoji Pond in Myoshoji Park, then passes near Myoshoji Temple and finally meets the Kanda River. Cherry trees bow gracefully along the river.
Myōshōji ParkMyoshoji Park is bigger than most other parks. One highlight is Myoshoji Pond, which has a fountain.
Suginami kōkaidōSuginami kōkaidō is a building that was built in 1957, then reconstructed in 2006. Many kinds of events take place here, including the coming of age ceremony for 20-year-olds.
Suginami Animation MuseumSuginami Animation Museum is for general animation. It shows animation and also gives people hands-on experience of making their own animation.
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phone: +81 3-3311-0105address: 2-3-1 Omiya Suginami wardThis is a shrine in Omiya.This shrine was built in 1053.Many people are called "Navel of Tokyo" because there are center of Tokyo.It is said in particular that success in prayer of the child care esey delivery.
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phone: +81 3 3396-0825address: 3-9-10 Zenpukuzi Suginami wardThis park is near Tokyo Women's Christian University. there are a lot of greenery.This park is well-known for water lily in the pond.You can take a boat and see them.You should go to there in June.
Do
Kōen-jiHas many used clothing and other shops and restaurants, as well as "live houses" where bands play all genres of music. After the war many temples and shrines were moved here and now there are many walking tours to visit them.
Tokyo Kōenji Awa OdoriThe Tokyo Kōenji Awa Odori is held yearly on the last Saturday and Sunday in August. About 1.2 million people show up to eat, drink and watch 188 groups (or 12,000 dancers) perform Awa dance to lively music and parade through the nine routes set up along the Shotengai station-front street. It is the second largest Awa Odori festival in Japan, after Tokushima.
Wadabori Parkis a large park in Omiya that runs along Zenpukuji River. It is a popular place for groups and families to barbecue. There is a small pond, restaurant, and fishing tanks. There is also a children's park for bicycle training in a safe area with street signs and traffic signals. There is a traditional thatched roof house near the park as well. Kingfishers have their habitats in this area which is very rare in a city life. It's a fifteen minute walk from Nishieifuku Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, parking facilities available.
Buy
Nishi-Ogikubo (西荻窪), one station down from Ogikubo, has a good selection of antique (骨董 kottō) shops with reasonable prices, but they're scattered over a fairly large area. Ask at the station for a map.
Eat
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Baan-Esan
phone: +81 3-5327-3629address: 2F Mitsuwa Kaikan, 3-33-15 Kita Koenji, Suginami-kuA trip to Thailand just a minute's stroll from Koenji Station's south exit. Located on the Koenji shotengai, they serve good-sized portions of traditional Thai food but not at Tokyo prices. Most dishes are 580 yen and great for sharing. The service is less than stellar, but the Thai woman in charge of the kitchen makes the wait worth it. MiyagawaAnother yakitori-ya. It is small but has outdoor seating for about eight, and is arguably some of the best yakitori you can find. Decorated with rock and blues paraphernalia spanning from the 1940s, it's got friendly staff, good prices and great food.
TaishōA popular open-air yakitori restaurant. Cheap and good, it's crowded late into the night with the young and old working on tomorrow's hangover. Just look for the big red sign and tables made from milk crates. Two other locations of Taishō are also near the station: one about 100 meters west of the station adjacent to the train tracks out the same exit, and another about two blocks straight north of the north exit.
Ebisu YakitoriDon't let the glitzy photos on the website fool you. This branch consists of a sometimes changing string of tiny storefronts, kiosks, and rickety tables in the alley running west from the south exit of the station. Get ready for a raucous and very crowded and chaotic but fun experience.
Drink
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phone: +81-3-5356-7982address: 高円寺北2-22-6A craft beer restaurant and bar featuring 30 taps of Japanese and imported craft beer. US pints are 780 yen and half-pints are 480 yen, some of the cheapest in the city, if not the country. Each Craft Beer Market has a different theme for its food, and Koenji features grilled meats and vegetables.
B-GladA large restaurant-bar just north of the intersection of Ome-Kaido and the main street leading to Kōenji Station. The menu is a blend of Japanese and Western dishes (pasta, salad, pizza, yakitori) ranging from 450 to 1200 yen. Located in the basement, it's extremely spacious by Japan standards, with comfortable seating, free billiards, and two electronic dart boards. Highballs are 550 yen and beer 600 yen. Very friendly staff and 50s music.
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phone: +81 3-3310-3461address: Koenji-Kita 3-3-9Rumholic is a nice small rock'n'roll oriented bar located near the Koenji station. The owner is a friendly guy who plays guitar and also builds them.
Sleep
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phone: +81 80-3416-9048address: 2F,3F 3-22-2 KoenjiThe place has 7 rooms (4 single and 3 double) all efficiently laid out. There may be noise from nearby bars on weekends.