Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka, Tokyo
Kagurazaka is Tokyo's old geisha quarter on a sloping street of cobbled alleys, now layered with French bistros and patisseries thanks to the Institut français nearby and a long-settled French community. Ryotei Japan and a bit of Paris on the same slope, and nowhere else in the city does that.
The full Kagurazaka neighbourhood guide: every place on the map, where to eat and where to stay.
More photos of Kagurazaka
Insider tip
Get lost in the alleys off the main slope, especially Hyogo Yokocho and Kakurenbo Yokocho. Come from late afternoon into evening, when the lanterns come on.
What's on at Kagurazaka
Upcoming events at Kagurazaka and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Tokyo events calendar.
Kagurazaka Matsuri
神楽坂まつり
Station Kagurazaka (Tozai Line), 3 min walk
Four-evening festival on the old geisha quarter's sloping main street: a hozuki (ground cherry) market around Bishamonten temple on the first two nights, then Awa Odori troupes dancing up the hill on the final two. Much smaller and easier to see than Koenji's version.
Kabacchi, CC BY 2.0 Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival
神楽坂化け猫まつり
Station Kagurazaka (Tozai Line), 3 min walk
Tokyo's cat-costume Halloween parade, inspired by the ghost-cat folklore of old Kagurazaka. Anyone in cat make-up or costume can register on the day and join parades down the sloping geisha-district main street; watching from the roadside is free.
Kabacchi, CC BY 2.0 Yozakura-mode (night cherry blossoms) at Yasukuni Shrine
靖國神社 期間限定「夜桜詣」
Time 18:00 to 20:00
For a few evenings at cherry blossom time Yasukuni opens its Shinmon gate from 18:00 to 20:00 so visitors can look through at the inner precinct's cherry trees at night, with food trucks in the outer garden.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Hono Ozumo (sumo offering) at Yasukuni Shrine
靖國神社 奉納大相撲
Time Gates about 8:30, dohyo rite 9:00, top-division ring entry about 14:00, ends about 15:00
The Japan Sumo Association holds a day of bouts at Yasukuni's outdoor sumo ring every April, with the yokozuna ring entry, comic shokkiri and sumo jinku songs.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Smaller local events nearby
Day of the Tiger at Kagurazaka Bishamonten Festival
Every Day of the Tiger, every 12 days. Next: Sat 31 Oct · Kagurazaka Bishamonten (Zenkokuji)
Days of the Tiger, every 12 days, at Kagurazaka Bishamonten, when the temple gives a limited-edition goshuin seal.
Free · Map · Source: Kagurazaka Bishamonten Zenkokuji · 神楽坂毘沙門天 善國寺 寅の日
Kagurazaka Ridaisai 2026 (Tokyo University of Science festival) Festival
20 to 21 Nov · Tokyo University of Science, Kagurazaka Campus
The student festival of Tokyo University of Science at its Kagurazaka campus by Iidabashi station, held on a Friday and Saturday this year, with stalls and campus events open to everyone.
Free (no booking needed to enter) · 20 Nov 10:00 to 19:00, 21 Nov 10:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Kagurazaka Ridaisai executive committee (Tokyo University of Science) · 第78回神楽坂地区理大祭
Nearby
Around Kagurazaka
Cobbled lanes with a French accent
Kagurazaka is in Shinjuku ward, on the slope that starts right outside Iidabashi Station. Kagurazaka grew up as a geisha district, and the stone-paved alleys like Hyogo Yokocho still carry that atmosphere. These days it's also Tokyo's little Paris, with French bakeries and bistros threaded between the kanzashi shops. Come in the early evening when the lanterns come on.
Kagurazaka has 5 places on the Roam Tokyo map: 1 cafe, 1 bar, 1 neighbourhood, 1 shrine or temple and 1 bathhouse. Read the Kagurazaka guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Kagurazaka?
- The nearest station is Iidabashi (JR / Metro). Kagurazaka is in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.
- How much does Kagurazaka cost?
- Nothing. Kagurazaka is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Kagurazaka?
- Plan for 2-3 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Kagurazaka?
- Late afternoon into evening.
Stay near Kagurazaka
Browse live availability and compare prices around Kagurazaka.
Median US$263 a night across 25 listings within 0.6 km for a two-night stay a month out, sampled 20 October 2026. Cheapest quarter under US$198. See the weekly index for every neighbourhood.
See hotels near Kagurazaka on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 24 October. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Tokyo earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.