Tokyo KAGURAZAKA stroll

In Kagurazaka area there are a lot of famous broiled eel restaurants. A Broiled eel is one of traditional Japanese cuisine and the cooking method was said to be established around 1700 in the Edo era. One traditional eel house, Hashimoto, located at a side of Kandagawa river and within 10-12 minutes walk from Kagurazaka. Look at this traditional building. Hashimoto started business in 1835 at the same location and has been offering broiled eel for more than 180 years. In the past they probably fish eel in Kandagawa river in front, while it is a dowdy concrete river now. The style of eel cooking in Tokyo is "open in the back", while that in Osaka is "open in belly". The difference comes from the fact that Tokyo (Edo) is a center of warriors' government and they hated "open in belly" as "Harakiri"(=commit suicide). Of course Hashimoto's eels are cooked in "open in the back" style. Standard Unaju(broiled eel with rice i...

Do you know Mr.Kengo Kuma, a famous Japanese architect who designed a new national stadium for 2020 Tokyo Olympic games and new Kabukiza (Kabuki theater building)? He is one of the modern architecture giants, and there are his two architectural works in Kagurazaka.   The first work is AKAGI shrine located near Kagurazaka station (Kagurazaka exit). The main building of this shrine was re-constructed a few years ago with audacious design as traditional religious building by Kengo Kuma. He displayed his special talent as Japanese designer to the utmost extent.   There is another construction beside the shrine, a residential building with cafeteria in the lobby. The vertical lines on the wall are very impressive.  Coupled with shrine's modern design, traditional foo dogs seem to be re-designed, too. But I am not sure if this is also the work of Kengo Kuma. (Probably not) The other one locates in front of Kagurazaka station Yarai exit. This is a shoppi...

It is not easy to find a good place for Sunday brunch in KAGURAZAKA other than chain-cafe stores like Starbucks. But I took time to investigate on internet to find out one promising candidate named "UNPLAN LOUNGE". It is a cafe in a hostel, so it opens at 8 a.m. everyday for the guests, and of course then welcome visitors! It is located near KAGURAZAKA subway station. You go out of Yarai exit and walk to the right, turn right before 7-11 and then follow a road to turn left. As you walk about 3 minutes, you can find this building on your right.    It looks pretty, a foreign guest is relaxing in the terrace. This area has been very fashionable recently, which I did not know! Lets enter the building now. This picture shows the inside of the cafe. The building is a dormitory-style lodging facilities and you see the reception at the back. Sightseeing information is available there, too. The price for the bed is Yen4,500/bed. Because the most of the users are foreigners, ...