From Iconic Tokyo to the Serene Banks of the Tama River

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The Tokyo Promenade of History and Culture

Tokyo Walking Courses such as the Tokyo Promenade of History and Culture (aka 東京歴史と文化の散歩道) unveil the layers of Tokyo, from ancient echoes to vibrant modernity!

15.62 km in Total Length

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Stroll around Shoto Komaba Gallery

Shibuya Station – Awashima Dori

The Setagaya Walking Course starts at Shibuya Station, passes through the downtown area on Dogenzaka and head to the quiet town of Shoto. The area was originally the residence of the Kii Tokugawa family. The area around Komaba, where the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences is located, was a falconry ground during the Edo period. It is said that before that it was a grazing area for horses, and the name of Komaba also comes from this. Nearby Komaba Park has facilities such as the Museum of Modern Japanese Literature, founded by Jun Takami, Sei Ito, and others, and the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum, founded by Soetsu Yanagi, is located adjacent to the park and garden.

Walk around Shoin Taishido

Awashima Dori – Kamimachi Station

Walk around Taishido along the Karasuyama River Green Path. Ensenji Temple is home to Shotoku Taishido Hall, from which the place’s name comes from. The statue of Prince Shotoku is said to be the work of Kobo Daishi.

Boro City Komoreyo Walk

Kamimachi Station – Kinuta Park

To go from Kamimachi Station to the magistrate’s residence, pass through what is commonly known as “Boro City Street.” This market, which has its origins in the Rakuichi market of the Edo period, is held every year on the 15th and 16th of January and December, with over 1,000 stalls lining both sides of the street. The Daikan-yashiki is the official residence of the Setagaya Daikan Oba clan, and is a mid-Edo period building. It passes through Bajikoen, which has a garden and playground, and reaches Kinuta Park. The Setagaya Art Museum inside the park has become a stylish new attraction

Seikado Waterside Walk

Kuta Park – Futakotamagawaen Station

The flow of the Tama River cuts through the plateau of Setagaya. The entire course area is a slope that extends from Tachikawa City to Nogawa and Sengawa. Descend along the Maruko River (Rokugo Yosui), whose water source is Hakeno spring water, to Seikado Bunko. This is the Iwasaki family villa of the former Mitsubishi Zaibatsu. The view of the Tama River seen in the distance from the hill is wonderful. Leaving the Maruko River, it reaches Tamagawaen Station. The streams of Nogawa and Sengawa join the Tama River here.

Photo thanks to Doricono, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons