Jiyugaoka

Jiyugaoka (自由が丘) is located in southern Meguro, Tokyo, and has often been considered as one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo. It’s not hard to see why once you visit this charming area. Located at the junction of the Toyoko Line and the Oimachi Line, Jiyūgaoka is brimming with life and movement. This, in addition to its relatively sparse population, makes it an easygoing place to spend a day shopping and sightseeing.

Translated as “freedom hill,” Jiyūgaoka is often called o-share, “trendy” or “fancy”, by its fellow Tokyoites. It came into its own as the bustling town it is today around the 1970s, after it grew quickly following World War II. Today, you’ll find boutiques, cafes, specialty stores, and restaurants galore dotting the easy to navigate streets. And with buses running to and from the station, it’s easy to get to where you need to be; there’s even an alternative fuel bus that runs on tempura oil!

Festivals from January to May turn Jiyūgaoka into a lively spectacle of energy and activity: the Hantan-sai in January is held at Kumano Shrine and boasts a history of more than 800 years; the Cherry Blossom Festival the first April of every year lines Green Street with music and festivities; also in April and May is the Spring Festival, a sort of arts festival with well-known guests musicians; and in May, visit the Marie Claire Festival along the street of the same name, popular for lively music and chanson artists.

One thing is for sure, this exciting stop is deceptive in its small size; you can find rich culture and history at its many shops, from shops boasting all handmade clothing to import kitchenware, from the beloved Peter Rabbit Garden Café by famed English author Beatrix Potter to the first Mont Blanc cake shop in Japan. There’s something fascinating hiding on every street of Jiyūgaoka.