Tokyo/Setagaya



Setagaya (世田谷) is in western Tokyo, and is the most populous and the second largest of the city's 23 wards.

Understand
Setagaya has a reputation as an upscale residential district, and features many areas of greenery. People get to experience the sophisticated yet wild atmosphere in the huge park called Setagaya Park (世田谷公園) which is approximately 15-minute-walk from Sangenjaya (三軒茶屋). The funky shopping and nightlife area of Shimokitazawa (下北沢), which is popular with students and young adults, is also located in the ward. Setagaya is also home to the shopping districts of Sangenjaya (三軒茶屋) and the revitalized Futako-Tamagawa (二子玉川), locally known as Nikotama. Some areas around Jiyūgaoka (自由が丘) also fall within Setagaya.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a [https://www.kanko-setagaya.jp/en/ multilingual guide site, Enjoy! Setagaya].

Get in
Shimokitazawa is on the Odakyū and Keio Inokashira train lines, just a quick hop from Shinjuku and Shibuya respectively. Most of the action is around the South Exit.

Sangenjaya and Futako-Tamagawa are on the Tōkyū Den-en-Toshi train line from Shibuya. Komazawa-Daigaku is also along this line and near Sangenjaya, and the Komazawa University campus is a few minutes from the station.

Jiyūgaoka is a transfer point for the Tōkyū Tōyoko and Ōimachi train lines. The Tōyoko Line is your best bet for getting into the southern sections of Setagaya from Shibuya or Central Yokohama. The Ōimachi Line, which originates in Ōimachi near Shinagawa, continues northward from Jiyūgaoka to Futako-Tamagawa to meet with the Den-en-Toshi line.

By train
The main train lines serving Setagaya are the Odakyu from Shinjuku to Odawara, the Keio line from Shinjuku to Takao-san, and the Keio Inokashira, Tokyu Toyoko, and Tokyu Denentoshi, all originating in Shibuya. Since all of these rail lines run generally westward from hubs on the Yamanote line, it can be difficult to travel north-south without going in to a hub and back out. Many bus lines exist for this purpose.

Also, select Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line trains (generally every thirty minutes) through-run from Ayase in Adachi Ward.

The only major connector line in the ward is the Tokyu Ōimachi line, which primarily serves residential communities to the extreme south located along the Tama River and Tokyo's #8 Ring Road (Kampachi-dori). The line can be used to connect between the Toyoko and Denentoshi lines without going back to Shibuya. Tokyu Triangle Pass allows riding on the three lines (Shibuya-Futakotamagawa-Jiyugaoka-Shibuya) for nearly one day (until 22:30) at only \470.

The Tokyu Setagaya line between Sangenjaya and Shimo-takaido (on Keio Line) is one of only two remaining streetcar lines in Tokyo.

See




Northern Setagaya
Shimokitazawa has many quirky shops:



Central and Southern Setagaya
What Futako-Tamagawa perhaps lost in old-school charm and character it has gained in modernity and selection that rivals other major shopping areas in Tokyo. This revitalized station-front shopping area, which seems to have taken a peculiar design cue from nearby Tama Plaza, is anchored by two main shopping areas:


 * The Main Wing, South Wing, and West Wing along with Hanamizuki Court are across the street from the train station, and are home to numerous upscale brands such as Gucci, Burberry, and Lacoste. There is also a branch of Books Kinokuniya which, like its other locations across Japan, typically carries a decent selection of international publications.
 * The East Wing, Keyaki Court, Garden Island and Marronnier Court are up the street on the same side of the station, and contain stores such as muji and Gap.
 * Rise Shopping Center and Dogwood Mall house many major domestic and international brand name stores, including H&M, Loft, Uniqlo, Oshman's, The North Face, and Francfranc.
 * Oak Mall, Bird's Mall, and Plaza Mall are more local in flavor and are the new, modern homes for many of the businesses that were displaced by the redevelopment.
 * Rise Shopping Center and Dogwood Mall house many major domestic and international brand name stores, including H&M, Loft, Uniqlo, Oshman's, The North Face, and Francfranc.
 * Oak Mall, Bird's Mall, and Plaza Mall are more local in flavor and are the new, modern homes for many of the businesses that were displaced by the redevelopment.

Jiyūgaoka has for a long time carried a somewhat trendy if not upscale caché. Some of its street-front stores include independent and chain apparel stores (most of which cater to women), and various zakka (variety shop) establishments.

Northern Setagaya
Shimokitazawa is your best option for restaurants and bars.

Central and Southern Setagaya
Komazawa and surroundings

Futako-Tamagawa is home to both high-brow and casual cuisine alike, most of it concentrated around the train station's shopping areas. As is the case with many other shopping areas across Japan, the restaurants on the higher floors offer supreme dining experiences with great views, and the prices to match.

Jiyūgaoka is fairly well-known for its mom-and-pop establishments, especially bakeries and pastry shops.