Explore the quiet residential area of Setagaya, in this 3 hour Tokyo walking tour.

Setagaya is a vast area located in the southeastern part of Tokyo. With natural reserves such as parks and valleys overflowing with greenery, this residential area is readily accessible to residents. Access to the city center is also relatively good, and since long ago large corporate executives, prominent sports players, entertainers and others have developed this to be high class area, and people living in Tokyo are often admirers of this area.

Meet at Odakyu Gotokuji Station

Setagaya Hachimangu Shrine

This peaceful shrine filled with lush greenery dates back to the Heian Period (794-1185). Enjoy exploring the shrine's grounds with a serene pond, bridge and red torii gates.

Gotokuji Temple

Head through Gotokuji shopping street towards Gotokuji Temple. There are plenty of attractive shops such as bakeries, cafes, coffee stands, and sweet potato shops that you can take in while enjoying the local atmosphere.

It is said that Gotokuji Temple is the beginning of the Kotokuin hermitage built by Kira Masatada who built Setagaya Castle in 1480. There are many things to see such as the tomb of Ii Naosuke, the greatest authority of the Tokugawa shogunate in the middle of the 19th century, the three-story pagoda, the invincible Kannon, and the most attractive point - the good fortune beckoning cat, known as the “manekineko” to some. This lucky cat, known country-wide, is said to have been “born” here. The sight of 1,000 or more of these “cats” lined up is now one of the landscapes that represents Tokyo. It is said that the lucky cat, familiar to Japanese as a good luck symbol, is the birthplace of Gotokuji Temple.

Shoinjinja Shrine

Shoinjinja Shrine was founded in 1882. In the shrine grounds you can see the Shoka Village School building, where Shoin Yoshida taught many of Japan’s brightest students who led the Meiji Restoration in 1867. Interestingly, the Shoinjinja Shrine, which enshrines Yoshida Shoin, who ended the era of the samurai, and the Gotokuji Temple, where Ii Naosuke sleeps to protect the era of Samurai, are within walking distance of one another.

Shoinjinja Shopping Street

The Shoinjinja shopping district is very attractive, with many stylish cafes and interior shops, with everything from trendy shops to old-fashioned shops that are close to the lives of Setagaya people. It is a pleasant shopping area full of locals.

During the walk through the shopping street, enjoy a free drink (up to ¥800) at one of the recommended spots such as SOUEN (Japanese Blend Tea & Bar) / BY & BY coffee and bar or McQUEEN COFFEE SHOP or at a place of your choice. It's a great moment to chat with the guide and learn more about Japan in general.

Shoin PLAT

Shoin PLAT is a two-story commercial facility built by renovating wooden apartment buildings that are over 50 years old. The space is divided into nine small areas, perfect for little shops selling bread, flowers, lifestyle goods, etc. There is a good store and a cafe where you can watch the Setagaya line from above and you can enjoy shopping in a space where many local people gather.

Finish at Shoinjinja-mae Station