Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

You think you know Shinjuku as a crowded and popular place to shop, eat or just hang out with friends. But within this city lies a quieter place that leads you to small wrinkled alleys with traditional shops and restaurants and a historical atmosphere in the air.

From time to time you will wonder whether you’ve suddenly been warped to France because of the amount of French restaurants or signs. That’s because the French-Japanese Institute is located in Kagurazaka and thus also has a considerable French community.

Walking around you will notice many old kimono shops and buildings with reminders that Kagurazaka used to be a famous geisha town until the Second World War, with artists and writers visiting frequently.

You’ll also find plenty of temples when strolling and if you can try to at least stop by Zenkokuji, or Bishamonten Temple, after one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.

It is difficult to tell you where to go – the best thing is just to step into every little alley from the main street and let these lead you to even more hidden slopes and charming streets on the memory lane through old Tokyo.

As for now, simply enjoy the photo ride~

Access to Kagurazaka:
Iidabashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line for direct access to the bottom part of Kagurazaka-dori or Ushigome-Kagurazaka Station on the Toei Oedo Line to get to the upper part.

Google Maps