Today, we explored Togoshi, a neighborhood that Tokyoites from nearby areas love for its cozy homes and charming shopping street. Surprisingly, even though it’s popular, many long-time Tokyo residents from other parts of the city don’t know about it.

We started our small Togoshi adventure at Togoshi Park and then wandered into the nearby Bunko-no-Mori Park. this park was once the private property of one of the Osaka daimyos, but now, it’s a public park that everyone can enjoy. Togoshi Park has a really provincial look, with a miniature forest and a beautiful pond. A few years back, they built a new community center that is a good place to relax and maybe read a book or hang out with friends.

Bunko-no-Mori Park, on the other hand, is a great place to hang out and people-watch. People come here to have picnics, chat, or even set up tents. Families, kids, and pets are all there, making it a lively and friendly park. We took a break on one of the benches and just enjoyed watching the people around us.

Next, we strolled to the neighborhood temple, Hachiman Jinja. It’s a small Shinto temple with a charming walkway, a restaurant, and sometimes a pop-up café. Today there was a small storytelling performance for kids, which was interesting. The temple itself sits near the edge of a tiny, almost unnoticeable cliff, just a stone’s throw away from our next stop, Togoshi Ginza.

Togoshi Ginza shopping street is one of Tokyo’s livelier shopping streets. It’s one of the longest, if not the longest, shopping streets in the city, but it still feels cozy and chill. Most of the people here are locals, and you’ll find a shop for everything you need. They have groceries, restaurants, cafes, shoe shops, and a couple of second-hand shops for clothes and housewares. There’s even an onsen, Togoshi Ginza Onsen, at one of the perpendicular streets.

We visited our favorite restaurant, Togoshiya, renowned for its tasty onigiri and crispy fried chicken. It’s our go-to spot whenever we’re in the area, and this time was no exception. After our satisfying meal, we strolled to the Togoshi Ginza Station of the Tokyu Ikegami Line on our way back home.

It was a delightful afternoon spent in this charming neighborhood. Until next time.