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Setagaya is a district of the city of Tokyo.
To know
It is the most populous and the second largest of the city's 23 neighborhoods.
How to orient yourself
Setagaya: full screen map.Setagaya has a reputation as an upscale residential neighborhood and offers many green areas. People experience the sophisticated yet wild atmosphere in the huge park called Setagaya Park (世 田谷公 園), which is about a 15-minute walk from Sangenjaya (三 軒 茶屋). The shopping and nightlife area of Shimokitazawa (下 北 沢), frequented by students and young adults. Setagaya is also home to the shopping districts of Sangenjaya (三 軒 茶屋) and the new Futako-Tamagawa (二 子 玉川), locally known as Nikotama. Also some areas around Jiyūgaoka (自由 が 丘) fall into Setagaya.
How to get
- 1 Shimo-Kitazawa Station. This station is located on the Odakyū train lines and
, a short distance from Shinjuku is Shibuya. The area of interest is around the south exit. 
- 2 Sangen-Jaya Station. On the train line
and the tram 
- 3 Futako-Tamagawa Station. On the train line is
- 4 Komazawa-Daigaku Station. On the train line . The Komazawa University campus is minutes away from the station.
- 5 Jiyūgaoka Station. This station (falling within the territory of Meguro) is a transfer point for the train lines
is . The Tōyoko Line is the best solution to enter the southern sections of Setagaya from Shibuya or downtown Yokohama. The Ōimachi Line, which originates in Ōimachi near Shinagawa, continues north from Jiyūgaoka to Futako-Tamagawa to meet the Den-en-Toshi line. - 6 Todoroki station (等 々 力 駅 Todoroki-eki). On the line
, a short distance from 
and the tram 
is How to get around
The district is crossed by one of the very few lines of Tokyu Setagaya tram
present in Tokyo.
What see
The Carrot tower
- 1 Carrot Tower (キ ャ ロ ッ ト タ ワ ー), 太子 堂 4 chome 1-1 (Sangen-Jaya Station is ). This is the tallest building in Setagaya and contains a free observation deck on the 26th floor and Gamefreak Co. on the 22nd floor.
Gōtoku-ji
- 2 Gotokuji Temple (豪 徳 寺), Gōtokuji 2 chome 24-7 (Take Odakya Line to Gotokuji Station or Miyanozaka Station with ). The origin of the statuettes maneki-neko or the greeting cat that brought good luck to Japanese merchants all over the world.
Tamagawa
- 3 Tamagawadaishi (玉川 大師), 4 Chome-13-3 Silk (Get off at Futako-Tamagawa and walk 10 minutes along the highway from Takashimaya Department Store), ☎ 81 3-3700-2561.
9:00-17:00. A not very large Buddhist temple in a nondescript residential area, yet its curious attraction is hidden: an underground passageway that winds beneath the building. Here are statues and altars with lighting in various places, but much of the tunnel is in absolute darkness. This symbolizes a passage through the intestines of the Buddha (better not dwell too much on the symbolism!). While the 88 Buddha statues in one of the chambers also symbolize a famous temple a Shikoku.
9:00-17:00. A not very large Buddhist temple in a nondescript residential area, yet its curious attraction is hidden: an underground passageway that winds beneath the building. Here are statues and altars with lighting in various places, but much of the tunnel is in absolute darkness. This symbolizes a passage through the intestines of the Buddha (better not dwell too much on the symbolism!). While the 88 Buddha statues in one of the chambers also symbolize a famous temple a 
Hasegawa Machiko Museum
- 4 Machiko Hasegawa Museum (長谷川 町 子 美術館 Hasegawa machiko bijutsukan), 1-30-6 Sakurashinmachi (7 minutes walk from Sakura-Shinmachi Station ), ☎ 81 3 3701 8766.
Adults and yen; 600, college / high school students and yen; 500, elementary and high school students and yen; 400. Tue-Sun 10 am-5.30pm, last admission 5pm. Art museum dedicated to the works of Machiko Hasegawa, creator of "Sazae-san", one of Japan's longest-running comics and cartoons. Showcases include original drawings, clay dolls and paintings.
Adults and yen; 600, college / high school students and yen; 500, elementary and high school students and yen; 400. 
Setagaya Art Museum
Kofun of Noge-Ōtsuka
- 5 Setagaya Art Museum (世 田 谷 美術館 Setagaya bijutsukan), 1-2 Kinutakoen (15 minutes walk from the Yoga station on the line ), ☎ 81 3 3415-6011. Adults and yen; 200, college students and yen; 150, children and the elderly and yen; 100. Tue-Sun 10 am-6pm, last admission 5.30pm. It exhibits the works of artists of the Primitivist School, such as Henri Rousseau.
- 6 Kofun of Noge-Ōtsuka, 1-chōme-25 Noge (Inside the Tamagawa Nogemachi park, accessible from the Todoroki station on the line ), ☎ 81 3-5432-2726. Free. Always open. This mound is an ancient tomb or mound dating back to the Kofun period (250-538 AD). It was the way in which the prominent personalities of Japan were buried.
What to do
- 1 Tollywood (ト リ ウ ッ ド), Daizawa 5-32-5 2nd floor (Three minutes from Shimokitazawa South Exit), ☎ 81 3-3414-0433, @[email protected]. This small 46-seat theater specializes in independent, mostly Japanese, short films. The movies aren't subtitled, but they're so offbeat and often quirky that you're sure to enjoy yourself anyway.
- 2 Okura land (オ ー ク ラ ラ ン ド), Sakura 3-24-1 (5 minutes from Kamimachi Station of the Tokyu-Setagaya Line), ☎ 81 3-3420-0271. Here you can go bowling or practice your golf swing. There are also batting cages.
Parks
Hanegi Park
- 3 Hanegi Park (羽 根 木 公園 Hanegi-kōen), Daita 4 chome 38-52 (Take Odakyu Line to Umegaoka Station or Line for Higashimatsubara station), ☎ 81 3-5431-1822. A public park, where children can play freely with the Play Park structure.
Kinuta park
- 4 Kinuta Park (砧 公園 Kinuta-koen), Kinuta-koen 1-1 (Yoga station ). A public park with a modern art museum.
The Komazawa Olympic Park
- 5 Komazawa Olympic Park (駒 沢 オ リ ン ピ ッ ク 公園 Komazawa orinpikku koen), Komazawa koen 1 (15 minutes walk from Komazawa-Daigaku station ). A large public park, built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
- 6 Todoroki ravine (等 々 力 渓 谷) (Take the Tokyu Oimachi Line to Todoroki Station). A natural canyon immersed in an urban environment. With a small river and lush greenery, it offers a pleasant natural environment.
- 7 Setagaya Park (世 田谷公 園 Setagaya-koen), Ikejiri 1-5-27, ☎ 81 3 3412-7841. A public park with a swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball fields, and so on. There is a mini steam train and a full size steam locomotive for children to play.
The Todoroki ravine
The Setagaya park
Shopping
- 1 Haight & Ashbury, Kitazawa 2-37-2, ☎ 81 3-5453-4690. Vintage clothes for girls. The interior decorations are very nice.
- 2 Tamagawa-Takashimaya S.C. (玉川 高 島 屋 Ｓ ・ Ｃ) (West of Futako-Tamagawa Sta. Along Tamagawa-dori). The store now renovated to keep up with its reputation as a fashion center, is home to many of the international brand boutiques found in Ginza, Omotesandou or Roppongi Hills. Many of its outbuildings are connected by foot bridges or footpaths.
- The main wing, south wing and west wing along with the Hanamizuki court are located across the street from the train station and are home to numerous luxury brands such as Gucci, Burberry and Lacoste. There is also a section of Kinokuniya Books which, like its other branches in Japan, generally carries a good selection of international publications.
- The east wing, Keyaki Court, Garden Island and Marronnier Court are across the street on the same side of the station and contain shops such as MUJI and Gap.
- 3 Futako-Tamagawa Rise (Connected east of Futako-Tamagawa station). Newly built complex of shopping and office centers at the eastern end of the station.
- Rise Mall and Dogwood Mall are home to a number of national and international brand stores, including H&M, Loft, Uniqlo, Oshman's, The North Face, and Francfranc.
- Oak Mall, Bird's Mall, and Plaza Mall are more venues that have been replaced by the redevelopment of the area.
Jiyūgaoka has long brought a somewhat trendy if not upscale cachet. Some of its street shops include independent and chain clothing stores (most of which cater to women) and various zakka establishments.
How to have fun
- 1 Ushi Tora, Setagaya Ward, Kitazawa 2-9-3 2nd floor (South Exit, Odakyu Line, East, South, East), ☎ 81 3-3485-9090, @[email protected]. 17:00-23:30. Two bars. One with tables and chairs, allows smoking and accepts credit card. In the other bar you remain standing but have more beers on tap, it is non-smoking and only requires cash.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- 1 Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory (白 髭 の シ ュ ー ク リ ー ム 工房), 5-3-1 Setagaya-Daita (3 minutes from Setagaya-Daita station, 7 minutes from Shimokitazawa station. Just east (right, around the corner) of the north end of the pedestrian bridge on the east side of Setagaya-Daita station. From the west exit of Shimokitazawa station, go south (left) on the main road. Turn west (right) when it curves onto the tracks, then turn south (left) at the second street on the left, then walk to the bend. From the west exit of Setagaya-Daita station, turn north (right), skip the first small street right next to the station and turn east (right) onto the next street, then walk until it turns), ☎ 81 3-5787-6221. about ¥ 400 each piece. Wed-Mon 10: 30-19: 00. Bakery specializing in adorable Totoro-shaped flavors.
- 2 Sunday Brunch, Kitazawa 2-29-2 2nd floor, ☎ 81 3-5453-3366. French toast is very tasty.
- 3 Village Vanguard, Daita 6-3-1, ☎ 81 3-3481-5620. ¥660. 11:30-02:00. Burger shop that has many types of very delicious burgers.
- 4 Patisserie NAOKI, Komazawa 1-4-12 1st floor, ☎ 813-3422-3167.
- 5 Kua'Aina (ク ア ・ ア イ ナ), Dogwood Plaza 7th floor, ☎ 81 3-5797-5600. It sells Hawaiian-American burgers that can be found on both sides of the Pacific.
- 6 [link previously not working]Bear Pond Espresso, 2-36-12 Kitazawa (From Shimokitazawa station, walk north until you reach the main east-west shopping arcade, it is right in front of the Lawson convenience store (on the corner). (From the north exit, take the left road, which goes straight into the east-west road)), ☎ 81 3-5454-2486. Wed-Mon 10: 30-18: 00. World-class espresso (very short restricted with "sticky" texture) and excellent coffee, in an elegant NY-style space. Ask before taking pictures.
- 7 Mother, Daizawa 5-36-14 (3 minutes from Shimokitazawa South Exit, on the corner just before Gyoza-no-Osho), ☎ 81 3-3421-9519. Multi-ethnic food and an interesting selection of imported beers, in a cave-like environment, inspired by Gaudi. If you come for the food, make sure you have some time to pass, as the kitchen works at a rather slow pace.
Average prices
- 8 Good Blood (世 田 谷 区 太子 堂), 4-20-7 1st floor, ☎ 813-3411-7776. Excellent traditional Italian restaurant, with different types of pasta, meat, fish. Wood-fired pizza is available on the ground floor.
- 9 The witch, 5-31-3 Daita (30 seconds walk from Shimokitazawa West Exit), ☎ 813-3411-9500. 12:00-14:00, 17:30-22:30. Good pizza with a wood oven. The lunch menu is excellent.
- 10 Botero, Komazawa 1-17-17, ☎ 813-3410-5922. It closes on Tuesdays. Restaurant
- 11 Motions (モ テ ィ), Dogwood Plaza 7th floor, ☎ 81 3-6431-0782. Moderately priced Indian food with a great view. Vegetarian options.
- 12 Natural Crew, Setagaya-ku, Tamagawa, 3 Chome −23−24 1F, ☎ 81 3-3707-9511. 1000¥. 11:00-18:00. Bright and cute shop serving healthy Japanese food, brown rice, many vegetarian dishes including a tofu preparation that looks and tastes like karaage. They also serve craft beer. Portions are small, so better add ¥ 100 for extra rice.
- 13 [link not working]Kochoo (コ チ ュ), Okusawa 6-22-12, Setagaya-ku (3 minutes walk from Kuhonbutsu station; 8 minutes walk from Jiyūgaoka), ☎ 81 3-5706-1069. Specialized in sundubu, a Korean stew that has roots in Los Angeles. All-you-can-eat, it is a common practice in Korea but rare in Japan!
- 14 Peko (ペ コ), Okusawa 5-27-19, Setagaya-ku (3 minutes walk from Jiyūgaoka station. South exit). Even though their specialty is pizza, the chili pepper pasta is beyond words for garlic lovers.
- 15 [link not working]Kochoo (コ チ ュ), Okusawa 6-22-12, Setagaya-ku (3 minutes walk from Kuhonbutsu station; 8 minutes walk from Jiyūgaoka). Specializing in sundubu, a Korean stew that has roots in Los Angeles. All-you-can-eat is common in Korea but rare in Japan!
Where stay
Average prices
- 1 The B Sangenjaya (ザ ・ ビ ー 三 軒 茶屋), 2-17-9 Taishido (Two-minute walk from Sangenjaya Station, North Exit A, on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line, two-minute walk from Sangenjaya Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line), ☎ 81 3 3795-0505, fax: 81 3-3419-0690, @[email protected]. 70 € (Nov 2018). Check in: 15:00. A business-style hotel convenient for connections.
