Setagaya, one of Tokyo’s largest wards, is known for its blend of trendy neighborhoods and peaceful residential areas. Known as Setagawa Tokyo in short. It offers a diverse urban experience, from fashionable streets like Shimokitazawa to tranquil parks and historic temples, making it a popular and versatile district in Tokyo.
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Location:
Setagaya ward is one of the 23 wards of Tokyo, located in central Tokyo. The neighborhood is known as Setagaya City. It is also familiar to foreigners as Setagaya Tokyo, which has numerous tourist spots.
The Setagaya Ward is famous for sports locally and internationally because of its Olympics Stadium. It is also full of tourist spots.
Population:910,868
Area:58.05 km2
Famous areas:
Some of Setagaya’s famous areas are Setagaya, Shimokitazawa, Kinuta, Karasuyama, and Tamagawa in the Setagaya ward.
Setagaya is considered the most populous ward in Tokyo. It is has a reputation for a family-friendly neighborhood.
However, this ward also has many tourist spots like other wards, such as towers, temples, shrines, museums, parks, and green spaces.
Carrot Tower:
Carrot Tower is situated in Setagaya Ward, at Sangen-Jaya Station. The area is very active.
The Tower is one of the famous towers in Tokyo. It looks like Carrot.
But it is a commercial building tower, and tourists can view beautiful Tokyo from the Carrot Tower observatory deck for free.
But, tourists can go by elevator up to 26 floors. The Tower is high, and difficult to take a picture of the building.
If you are a blogger and need a picture of the building, I have a good suggestion. The best way to take a photograph is to go to the opposite of the main road and take a picture.
However, tourists can see the most beautiful tourist spots from the Carrot Tower, such as Tokyo Tower, Skytree Tower, and Mount Fuji.
But, some tourists feel challenging to visit the Tower sometimes because they do not know how to go up if you do not know better to ask anyone nearby how to go up.
All the time, I say that the people of Japan are amicable and welcoming. Besides, we are always eager to help you.
Temples & Shrines:
Tokyo is a historic Metropolitan City. It is full of historical temples and shrines.
So, Setagaya is no exception. But the most famous Temple in Setagaya is Gotokuji Temple, and the most renowned shrine is Setagaya Hachiman Shrine.
Todoroki Fudoson Temple is not famous as Gotokuji Temple. However, it’s very popular with tourists as it’s located in Todoroki Valley, which is the only valley in Tokyo’s 23 Special Wards.
Gotokuji Temple:
Gotokuji Temple is one of the famous Buddhist temples in Setagaya Tokyo. The Temple became one of the Tokyo tourist attractions because of ‘Lucky Cat.’ That is why it is also familiar as ‘Lucky Cat’ Temple in Tokyo
According to the myths, ‘Maneki-Neko’ was born here. The Japanese word ‘Maneki-Neko’ in English translation could be ‘Luck inviting Cat.’
It is one of the historical Temple built in the 15 century. But the importance of the Temple is different from other temples.
There is a legend behind the Temple.
The legend’s story is-during the Edo Period, a feudal lord from Hikone Ii Naotaka was going back home after his falconry practice. But a cute Cat invited him into a building, and as soon as he went into the building, heavy rain began with a big thunderbolt.
As a result, the cat invitation saved Lord Ii Naotaka from the thunderbolt. He was thankful to the Cat and the Temple.
As a thankfulness of being saved from the thunder, he dedicated the Temple to his Ii clan. Lord Ii Naotaka took care of the Temple.
After his death, the temple name change from ‘Kyushoin-den Gotokuten ei-daikoji’ to ‘Gotokuji.’
At the same time, the Temple became famous for ‘Luck inviting Cat.’ People and pray for their good luck, especially for business, home safety, and fulfillment of wishes.
Like other good luck temples, tourists can buy ‘Good Luck’ cat figurine and wooden charms(omikuji) for their good fortune.
Besides, the tourists can see the surroundings of the temples and enjoy the beautiful views.
Similarly, Setagaya has many shrines and temples, such as Saisho-ji Temple, Shoin-Jinja Shrine, and, Zenyomitsu-ji.
You can read details about Gotokuji here.
Setagaya Hachiman Shrine:
Setagaya Hachiman Shrine is one of the famous shrines in Setagaya Special Ward. The shrine is quite big, but the compound is smaller than Koto Hachiman Shrine.
According to the Setagaya Hachiman Shrine history, it was established by a Samurai Lord Minamoto no Yoshiie during the Heian Period, in 1091.
Lord Yoshiie stayed ten days in Setagaya during the rainy season; he could not proceed to his destination because of rain.
The Lord Yoshiie established the Hachiman shrine and performed a ceremony to stop the rain. The rain stopped, and he was thankful to Hachiman god.
As gratitude to Hachiman deity, he instructed the villagers to worship Hachiman as their god.
However, the shrine looks similar to the Koto Hachiman Shrine. After the main Tori Gate, entrance, a small shrine, a bridge, and little two Tori gates remind Koto Hachiman Shrine.
But the difference is in front of the main Tori Gate. It is a tranquil and pleasant place.
However, it is one of the most visited shrines in Setagaya Tokyo after Gotokuji Temple and worth visiting during your Tokyo trip.
How to go to Setagaya Hachiman Shrine:
First of all, go to Sangen-jaya Station and take Tokyu Setagaya Line Local (Yellow Line) to Minanosaka (Tokyo) Station; straight go out, and follow Shiroyama-Dori. After two minutes, you will find out the shrine’s main gate.
Parks in Setagaya:
Komazawa Olympic Park is worth to be viewing in Setagaya. The Park is 10 percent located in the Meguro ward and the rest of the 90 percent in the Setagaya ward.
The Park is significant because it has Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium, Komazawa Gymnasium, outdoor soccer and athletic, baseball, swimming, jogging, cycling, and Tennis venues.
Besides, Setagaya Tokyo has many lovely parks, such as Hanegi Park, Kinuta Park, and Tamagawadai Park.
Similarly, the ward has many museums such as Hasegawa Machiko Art Museum, Seikado Bunko Art Museum, Setagaya Literary Museum, Setagaya Art Museum, and Gotoh Museum.
Besides, there are many more to see here; NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Sakura-Shinamachi, Setagaya Business Square (SBS), and Setagaya Castle ruins.
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