Overview

Teramachi Dori, otherwise known as Temple Street, is a quiet area of Setagaya where 26 temples are concentrated. Just 11 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station, it offers a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city, providing a welcome retreat for those looking to explore hidden gems in this authentic, local neighborhood.

This tour is for people who want to visit off-the-beaten-path spots and discover more of the true Tokyo beyond the glittering lights and skyscrapers. There aren't many places in the center where such a large number of temples are clustered together, and those that do exist are often crowded with tourists, making it hard to fully enjoy the atmosphere. This Tokyo Temple Town tour offers a relaxed walk through an everyday neighborhood, allowing you to discover a more authentic and often overlooked side of the city.

The tour schedule:

① Meet your guide at Chitose-Karasuyama Station (9:00/13:00)
The station is easily accessed by taking the Keio Line from Shinjuku Station for 11 minutes.

② Explore Temple Street (9:20-10:45/13:20-14:45)
Travel to Temple Street by taxi (or bus depending on the size of your group). You will stroll down the street, stopping to explore any temples that catch your interest. Your guide will provide explanations about each site, along with the general history of the area. Some of the highlights include:

Kogen-in Temple
This temple has been in the area since 1926 after being relocated from Shinagawa. Its pond called Benten-ike is a calm and serene spot where wild ducks are often found. The shrine in the middle houses Hosho Benzaiten.

Myoju-ji Temple
Myojuji was founded in the Yanaka area of Tokyo in 1631 but was moved to Setagaya after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. On the temple grounds you can find a mini bamboo forest, colourful azalea bushes and a former priest's quarters building that is over 100 years old.

The Nabeshima guesthouse which can be seen in the grounds of the temple belonged to the Nabeshima family, one of the powerful feudal lords during the Edo period, and it features architecture that was reserved only for high-ranking people. The building was relocated from Roppongi due to the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. The house shows the lifestyle of the nobility and upper class during the Meiji period.

Joei-ji Temple
Joei-ji was moved to the area in 1924 from Tsukiji. You will hear about the temple and stroll around the beautiful green grounds.

Tamon-in Temple
Tamon-in suffered damage in the Second World War and the surviving buildings and graveyard were moved to Setagaya in 1949. There is a three-meter-high “grave of 568 unknown people”, which enshrines those who died of in the Tenmei Famine.

③ Karasuyama Tsutsuji Ryokuchi Park (in azalea season only) (10:45-11:00/14:45-15:00)
From mid-April to mid-May (approximately), you can see 32 different types of azalea flower over a 1000sqm park. It's a beautiful spot for photos during the season, so the tour includes a stop there in spring.

④ Setagaya Literary Museum (11:15-11:45/15:15-15:45)
The Setagaya Literary Museum contains exhibits by both comptemporary and classic Japanese authors, as well as displays of original manga illustrations and animation themed exhibits. They also have special collections that change regularly, along with a special area for children's books.

You will visit the museum with your guide who will explain some of Japan's most famous literary works to you, as well as letting you browse at your leisure. You will reach the museum either by bus or walking, depending on how you feel.

⑤ Local shops and cafes (11:45-12:30/15:45-16:30)
Walk back to the station with your guide, stopping at interesting shops along the way like a local old fashioned tofu shop or the quaint Showa era themed tea shop Hōsekibako. There is a lovely onigiri and sake shop called Shimadauhei Shouten that you may wish to stop at for a rest as well.

⑥ Return to Chitose-Karasuyama Station (16:30)