🗺️ Hyogo Yokocho

Located in Kagurazaka, Tokyo, "Hyogo Yokocho" is a narrow street surrounded by cobblestones and black walls, featuring traditional ryotei (Japanese-style restaurants), hidden dining spots, and old wooden houses serving washoku (Japanese cuisine). This alley, filled with Japanese charm, is also a popular filming location for movies and TV dramas. The entrance to Yokocho is a narrow alleyway directly across from Bishamonten, with a width that only allows one person to pass at a time. As you walk further in, the path widens slightly, but it still isn't wide enough for vehicles. It's a great idea to take a leisurely stroll while enjoying the walls and greenery of the houses on either side of the cobblestone path. Historically, this area was named "Hyogo Yokocho" because it served as an armory for Ushigome Castle during the Sengoku period. Although there are no remaining structures from the castle, you can explore the winding alleyways to experience the atmosphere of the old castle town. Within Yokocho, the retro inn "Wakana" was known as a "writing inn," where several famous authors, including Akira Nosaka and Yoji Yamada, stayed and created beloved literary works. It closed in 2015 and is currently undergoing a reconstruction plan.

Kamisaka Raku features charming alleys with unique flavors among the many lanes. The stone-paved roads, black walls, and greenery create an enchanting Japanese ambiance. The dining establishments in Hyogo Yokocho are all popular spots, requiring reservations in advance. Yokocho is a private road for residential use, so please keep quiet and observe etiquette while strolling.