Strolling the fashion town 2 Kyuyamate-dori Ave, to the Meguro River
Daikan-Yama Sta.→ Naka-meguro Sta.
We will walk two fashionable towns, Daikanyama and Nakameguro connected with slopes. Dikanyama is a unique and distinctive town in Tokyo with high-end comfort and favorability. Along Kyuyamate-dori Ave., embassies, mansion-like wedding hall, historic restaurants and artistic cafés are located which provides you an enjoyment just looking at those architectures. We will go down the steep slope from Kyuyamate-dori Ave. to the Meguro River. Promenade along the Meguro River leading to Naka-maguro Station is a popular area with trendy cafés and shops recently known as the cherry blossoms viewing spot. Let’s stroll along the river feeling the nice river breeze and drop by the shops.
Start
Daikanyama Station. Central Exit （Tokyu Toyoko Line）
Goal
Naka-meguro Station. Main Exit （Tokyu Toyoko Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line）
Strolling the fashion town 2 Daikan-Yama Sta.→Naka-meguro Sta.
Going down the slope from Kyuyamate-dori Ave. dotted with embassies and gorgeous restaurants to the Meguro River area where stylish cafés and shops line along the river.
Go out the Central Exit of Daikan-Yama Station
and go left. Go along the street and turn left at the next traffic signal, you will get to the Daikan-yama Koban intersection. Cross Kyuyamate-dori Ave. and go into the narrow downhill and there is the gate of an important cultural property, Kyu Asalura House
on the right. After taking a leisurely look at the residence of a businessman who used to own this whole area, go back to Kyuyamate-dori Ave. Go to the left and right on the leftside, there is a white building, Hillside Terrace, one of the complexes representing this area. Pass the complex, cross the Denmark Embassy intersection and go along the right side of the street. On the other side of the street you can see the building of the Embassy of Denmark with beautiful curves and the café with long history in Daikanyama, Café Michelangelo. On this side, there is a shopping complex, DAIKANYAMA T-SITE
, a commercial complex with TSUTAYA BOOKS in the center. Wide variety of books, CDs, selected goods and café will make you forget the time goes by. Leaving T-SITE, we will go on straight and an exotic building of Embassy of Egypt and European mansion-style Wedding Hall are seen on the other side of the street. In front of the Saigo Bridge on the right, there is a brick western style restaurant, Madam Toki
. We will enjoy an elegant lunch time here today. After enjoying lunch, we will cross the Saigoyama-higashi intersection ahead of the Saigo Bridge and enter the Saigoyama Park
from the entrance right on the left side. After enjoying the stroll in the park with beautiful view, go down the steep stairs. Go to the public street from the side of the nursery school and take a left and turn right at the first corner. Passing the Sugekari Park on your right, turn right at the Saigoyama Street. Turn left at the pedestrians cross and go on straight, you will reach the Meguro River. There is the STARBUCKS RESERVEⓇ ROASTERY TOKYO
on the left corner across the bridge. We will take a break here and then walk along the river to the right and enjoy the Walking along the Meguro River
. Stylish cafés and shops line along the narrow street. When you hit the underpass of the Toyoko Line take a right and walk through the street under the viaduct with many cafés and restaurants. Cross the traffic signal at Yamate-dori Ave, you will reach the goal Naka-meguro Station
.
Guide of Drop-in Spots
Symbols
見どころ・遊び場 highlight. Entertainment
レストラン・食事処 restaurant
カフェ・ドリンクスタンド cafe
買い物スポット shopping spot
宿泊施設 accommodations
見どころ・遊び場 highlight. Entertainment
レストラン・食事処 restaurant
カフェ・ドリンクスタンド cafe
買い物スポット shopping spot
宿泊施設 accommodations
Daikan-Yama Station Central Exit
From the Central Exit of Tokyu Toyoko Line, Daikan-Yama Station.
Station next to Shibuya Station, the starting station for the Tokyu Railway, Tokyu Line. Since the station building stands on the hillside, a part of the platform on Nakamegiuro side is under the tunnel. The mutual direct operation with the Tokyo Fukutoshin Line makes it possible for the people from Saitama and Ikebukuro to reach the station without transfer. The station faces a narrow street so that the space in front of the station is not widely developed, however, it is a popular area with many high-end fashion boutiques, restaurants and cafés that it always comes within the top ranking for the town people want to live in.
The station is built on a narrow slope so the front area is not widely developed.
There are central, east, west and north exits. A pedestrian bridge in front of the north exit.
Daikan-Yama Station to Kyu Asakura House.
Go left from the central exit and go right at the “Stop” sign on the one way street.
Turn left at the traffic signal and soon you will hit Kyuyamate-dori Ave.
You are on the busy Kyuyamate-dori Ave. at the Daikan-yama Koban intersection.
Go down the slope beside the police box toward right, an important cultural property, Kyu Asakura House is right there on the right.
Kyu Asakura House, an Important Cultural Property
Elaborately built Taisho-roman mansion and the circuit style garden.
During Edo period, Asakura family lived in this area as the rice farmer and became the landowner of an expansive land. During the end of Edo period, they prospered running rice milling business and the real estate business. The imposing residence was built in 1919 by Torajiro Asakura who had served as the Tokyo prefectural assembly chairman and then the Shibuya city assembly chairman. It had become a government-owned site in 1948. Beautiful seasonal views are appreciated from the 20 rooms in the main building. It is said that they had hosted over 80 petitioners a day in these rooms. The characteristics of the Japanese architecture of the Taisho period is well depicted and is elaborately designed in detail as well.
The main house represents the characteristics of architecture style of the mansion during Meiji to the first half of Showa period.
Sugi-no-ma (cedar rooms) in Sukiya-zashiki style. You can appreciate the beautiful garden of each season.
Uniquely designed wood grain pillar in Sugi-no-ma.
Glass door rail at the edge of the veranda is made of wood. Hard wood such as oak is used and each piece is made short so that only damaged part of the rail could be replaced.
Prestigious hall on the second floor. Mt. Fuji was viewed from the Kato-mado (bell-shaped window).
Garden made on the cliff. Water used to be drained from the Mita aqueduct along Kyuyamate-dori Ave. It shows the feature of the garden of residence in Taisho period.
Heart shaped talisman mark called “inome” on the stone lantern.
Hooked nails are used in Dozo (storehouse) to prevent the spread of fire by hanging wet straw mat on the nails.
Kyu Asakura House, an Important Cultural Property
Address
29-20 Sarugaku-cho Shibuya-ku
Tel
03-3476-1021
Closed
Monday(Next weekday if Mon. is holiday)
Hours
10:00-18:00（Last Admission 17:30）. From November to February：10:00-16:30(Last Admission 16:00）
Admission
￥100
Access
5-minute walk from the Tokyu Toyoko Line Daikan-yama Station Central exit
Go down Kyu-Yamate-dori Ave. and you will see DAIKANYAMA HILLSIDE TERRACE ahead.
Passing the Denmark Embassy intersection, you can see the Embassy of Denmark on the opposite side.
Fun to drop by at the unique cafés and shops.
Kyuyamate-dori Ave. runs on the plateau between the Shibuya River and the Meguro River.
Impressive architectures, gorgeous restaurants, wedding halls, etc. appear one after another.
DAIKANYAMA T-SITE
TSUTAYA BOOKS’ Life style-navigating Commercial complex.
It is the commercial complex opened in 2011 based on the initial concept “Navigating the life style through books, movies and music”. Cozy aisles connect the specialty shops selling selected items around TSUTAYA BOOKS . It has become a popular spot in Daikanyama where many people gather. TSUTAYA BOOKS is comprised of three interconnected buildings. Each floor of the building holds surprisingly rich collection of books, movies and music. They are in specialized categories and they have set up various spots to enjoy them.
The sophisticated design of the letter “T” on the exterior wall is ultra-stylish.
TSUTAYA BOOKS building and the buildings housing various shops are connected with walk ways full of greenery.
Carefully selected Japanese, western and vintage books are shelved together.
Magazine Street which carries wide range of magazines from around the world stretches through TSUTAYA BOOKS’s three buildings. From here, you will be leaded to the specialty categories areas.
DAIKANYAMA T-SITE
Address
16-15 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel
03-3770-2525
Closed
No holidays
Hours
TSUTAYA BOOKS 1F 7:00-2:00 2F 9:00-2:00 Anjin 11:00-2:00 ＊for the time being 9:00-20:00（TSUTAYA BOOKS）,11:00-20:00 （Anjin） for prevention of coronavirus infection
Access
5-minute walk from the Tokyu Toyoko Line Daikan-yama Station Central exit
Spacious lounge surrounded with books and arts from around the world. The selection of books including back issues and magazines from abroad counts up to 30,000. You can also bring in books from TSUTAYA BOOKS to the lounge for leisurely reading. Carefully brewed coffee, selected beer, original cocktails and light meal “one bite” which you can eat and enjoy reading books or newspapers are offered. There is a large selection of lunch set and dessert as well.
There are different types of seats at Anjin. Find your favorite and relax space.
Bar counter for alcohol beverages. Enjoy reading on your own style.
DAIKANYAMA T-SITE
Address
16-15 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel
03-3770-2525
Closed
No holidays
Hours
TSUTAYA BOOKS 1F 7:00-2:00 2F 9:00-2:00 Anjin 11:00-2:00 ＊for the time being 9:00-20:00（TSUTAYA BOOKS）, 11:00-20:00 （Anjin） for prevention of coronavirus infection
Access
5-minute walk from the Tokyu Toyoko Line Daikan-yama Station Central exit
Tasting special lunch at the famous French house restaurant.
Famous long-established European-style French house restaurant in Daikanyama. It was used as the location place for the TV drama “King’s Restaurant” broadcasted in 1995, script written by Koki Mitani. You can enjoy chef’s great cuisine using the highest quality ingredients of the season in a luxurious dinning room with an affordable lunch price. They offer three types of lunch menu: Weekdays lunch ￥4,400, Recommended lunch ￥5,800 and Special lunch ￥10,000. All tax included and service charge not included. Not only booking the table but for better service and reducing food loss, it is recommendable to make reservation beforehand.
Dreamland entrance and the building stand out on Kyuyamate-dori Ave.
Heavy mahogany door of the colonial-style building welcomes you.
Marble floor, antique chandelier and spiral staircase are so luxurious.
Be seated and they will produce an extraordinary leisure dinning time for you.
Enjoy a special lunch once in a while in the classy mahogany wall room.
One of the appetizers, “Blanc-manger of organic turnip”. Feast for your eyes.
A sample of the main dish, “Hokkaido Ezo deer Poele”
You can buy patissier’s special sweets at the adjoining patisserie.
Restaurant Madame Toki
Address
14-7 Hachiyama-cho Shibuya-ku
Tel
03-3461-2263
Closed
Monday(Next weekday if Mon. is holiday)
Hours
12:00-15:30(14:00L.O.)、18:00-23:00(21:00L.O.) ＊for the time being 12:00-15:00(13:30L.O.)、17:30-21:00(20:30L.O.) for prevention of coronavirus infection
Access
8-minute walk from Tokyu Toyoko Line Daikan-yama Station Central Enit
Ahead of Madam Toki, there is the Saigo Bridge overpass for crossing Nozawa-dori.
Enter the park from the Saigoyama-higashi intersection across the Saigo Bridge.
Saigoyama Park
A park for relaxation located on the site with height difference.
There was a villa of the feudal lord of Oka domain in Bungo in this area in Edo period. Younger brother of Takamori Saigo, Judo Saigo, bought the land and built Japanese-style and western-style residences and also made Japan-west blended style garden. It was sold to the former Japan National Railways in 1943. Remnants of the park was lost by the war damage, however, the north-eastern side, later called Saigoyama, was maintained as the park with nice view and pleasant lawn square where local citizens come for recreation and relaxation. The lower part is the Sugekari Park where there used be residences and garden. Garden was partially restored and the Japanese-style house with garden observation room was built.
Promenade around the grassy lawn square.
Famous cherry blossoms viewing spot. Kawazu cherry blossoms in the center of the lawn square start blooming first and then other cherry blossoms comes in full bloom.
On a fine winter day, you can see Mt. Fuji from the observatory.
At the café in the park you can enjoy a variety of food and drink menu.
It is located on the slope at the edge of the plateau.
Artificial waterfall appears on the slope in July and August making a pond under the waterfall.
Saigoyama Park
Address
2-10-28 Aobadai Meguro-ku
Hours
All day long（Sugekari Park 10:00-21:00）
Access
11-minute walk from Tokyu Toyoko Line Daikan-yama Station Central Enit
Saigoyama Park to STARBUCKS RESERVEⓇ ROASTERY TOKYO
Go down the stairs and leave the park from the side of the nursery school.
Go on passing Sugekari Park on your right. It’s nice to stop by at the park if time allows.
Go around the corner of Sugekari Park, cross the next pedestrian crossing and go straight.
Cross the Meguro River and you are at STARBUCKS RESERVE Ⓡ ROASTERY TOKYO.
STARBUCKS RESERVE Ⓡ ROASTERY TOKYO
The only one in the world, wonderland of Starbucks coffee
One of the six STARBUCKS RESERVEⓇ ROASTERIES in the world. It is the only Roastery that has been designed and built from the ground up. The four-story building has a floor-to-ceiling cask (roasted bean stocker) where you can watch the green beans being freshly roasted. It seems like the shop itself is alive. Different themes to enjoy coffee and tea are set for each floor and the fresh coffee prepared by the professionally trained baristas makes you realize again the profoundness of the coffee culture. The architecture and the interior is splendid and you can view the Meguro River from the outdoor seating on the terrace.
Exterior design is done by Kengo Kuma. Cedar wood eaves and plant boxes are impressive.
Above the entrance, there is Starbuck’s logo design, figure of Siren, the twin-tailed mermaid from the Greek mythology. It is the rare occasion to see the whole figure.
On the first floor, there is STARBUCKS RESERVE® . At the main bar, you can taste delicious coffee brewed by baristas. Fresh roasted coffee beans are also sold.
The giant cask(roasted bean stocker) reaching the fourth floor is amazing. You can watch the artisanship of the roasters.
You can taste genuine bread and sweets at Italian bakery “Princi”. Menu changes according to the time of the day, so enjoy their elaborated taste for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
At the bar “TEAVANA™” on the second floor, you can enjoy tea prepared by barista.
TEAVANA™Cream Soda Matcha using Uji matcha ￥900
You can enjoy cocktails using coffee and tea at ARRIVIAMO™ BAR on the third floor.
STARBUCKS RESERVE ® Espresso Martini ￥2000.
STARBUCKS RESERVE Ⓡ ROASTERY TOKYO
Address
2-19-23 Aobadai Meguro-ku
Tel
03-6417-0202
Closed
Irregular holidays
Hours
7:00-23:00(22:30L.O.) ＊The business hours are changed in accordance to a situation.
Access
14-minute walk from Tokyu Toyoko Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Naka-meguro Station 14-munite walk from Tokyu Dennenn-toshi Line Ikejiri-Ohashi Station
Riverside promenade where stylish and trendy shops line.
The Meguro River is the class B river which flows in from Setagaya ward and empties into the Bay of Tokyo. Since it is not a culvert river, we are able to appreciate the precious riverscape. In the past, children used to play and the fireflies lived and before 1950’s Yuzen-nagashi (rinsing Yuzen fabrics in the river) was seen in the river. Gracefully shaped cherry trees are planted on both sides of the river and it is well-known as the cherry blossom viewing spot. Paths on both banks are narrow but many stylish and trendy shops line along the river which makes it fun to stroll for new discoveries.
Near Tennozu-airu Station in Shinagawa Ward 4km ahead, the river empties into the Tokyo Bay.
Path on both sides of the river is narrow but full of greenery. There are also places where you can sit and rest.
Crane and turtle design on the bridge-rail.
Many stylish and trendy cafés, restaurants and shops are there.
“Ureshiipurinyasan-Mahakara” (Mahakara Happy Pudding) . Their popular pudding melts in your mouth.
There are Riverview tables at “Jaho Coffee at Plain People”
Famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Cherry trees lined for 4 kilometers and the branches stretch out onto the river covering its surface with blossoms.
Busy Yamate-dori Ave. runs parallel to the river. Beside Starbucks Coffee, there is Don Quijote.
Meguro River to Nakameguro Station
Walk along the river toward southeast and soon the overpass of the Toyoko Line appears.
Right before the overpass, turn right and enter the mall beneath the overpass.
There are also many stylish cafés and shops at the mall .
Cross the big pedestrian crossing on Yamate-dori Ave., Naka-meguro Station is right there.
Naka-meguro Station
Use Main Exit of Naka-meguro Station for Tokyu Toyoko Line，Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
It is the station for the Tokyu Toyoko Line and also the terminal station for the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Neighborhood of the station is called “Nakame”, a popular area among youngsters. It is the central area of Meguro-ward where the Meguro City Office is located nearby. South side of the station was redeveloped and the 45-storied high-rise apartment building, Nakameguro Atras Tower, has become the landmark.
Exit is facing Yamate-dori Ave. There is also an exit on Yutenji side.
You can take Toyoko Line and Hibiya Line from the same ticket gate.
