Koenji/Asagaya/Ogikubo

Festival and Music Shopping District

Koenji is famous for the Awa Dori Festival. Awa Odori Festival that rivals Asagaya’s Tanabata Festival.  In the beginning it only had 38 attendees, but it now has 7,000 dancers, and 120,000 people who come to view this great event.  People come from all over to see Japanese unique dances, for those who wish to see Japanese traditional dance it is highly recommended.

Since Koenji is filled with famous 2nd hand shops and many shops in the shopping district it is a very lively area.  The shops are all different colors, which can be very amusing.  Around Koenji Station there are also many Live Houses with life bands here and there. In Asagaya there is a famous covered shopping area called Pearl Center that is about 700m long, it is located just in front of the Station.

In Asagaya they hold the Tanabata Festival every year in August.  Tanabata is a summer festival in Tokyo.  In Asagaya there is a shop that is famous for it’s shop owners paper decorations.  In October Asagaya holds it’s annual Jazz Street Festival.  Where Japan’s Jazz Musicians gather, and you can hear Jazz Music anywhere you go in the vicinity.

Ogikubo was known as the ramen town from a long time ago as of now there are 50 ramen shops in Ogikubo. Besides that it is also known for its focus on Classical Music.  They hold a Classical music event twice a year.

♦ Koenji
• Shoutengai (covered walk-way with many shops and restaurants)
• Koenji Chuodori Shoutengai
Presently there are about 150 shops affiliated with this district. About 57% are related to eating. You can eat food from all over the world here.
• Koenji Paru Shoutengai
Koenji’s Awa Dori Festival’s main assembly hall is also called Beki covered shopping area.
• Koenji Kittaguchi Azumadori Shoutengai
There are street performances that are coordinated with the Awa Dori Festival.
• Koenji junjyo shoutengai
Many old shops.
• Koenji Koushin Dori Shoutengai
Koushin shoutengai and Paru shoutengai are both always very crowded.
• 2 Man Boruto (Live House)
Punk, hardcore, they focus on loud noise.
• JIROKICHI (Live House)
This is the oldest in Koenji.  Jazz and all genre’s musicians from Japan perform here.
• Inou (Live House)
This was opened in 1979.  Its focus is on American blues and rock.
Awa Odori’s Site: http://www.koenji-awaodori.com/

Access :
JR Sobu Line Koenji Station

♦ Asagaya

• Pa-ru Centa
Asagaya Jazz Street：http://www.asagayajazzst.com/

Access:
JR Sobu Line Asagaya

♦ Ogikubo

• Harukiya
Traditional style ramen.
• Menie
This is said to be the best ramen shop in Ogikubo.  The good smell of Katsuo (dried fish flakes) makes it special.  This soup is usually already made and when you order it they will heat it up again.
• Suginami Townhall
Since it opened in 2006 it has become a cultural and artistic concert hall used for diverse purposes.

Access:
JR Chuo/Sobu to Ogikubo Station
Metro Marunoichi Line to Ogikubo Station