Tokyu Setagaya Line tram in action (Photo: Yaguchi / CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tokyu Setagaya Line tram in action (Photo: Yaguchi / CC BY-SA 4.0)
- 3 min read

Tokyu Setagaya Tram Line

Experience local Tokyo by tram

One of only two remaining tram lines in Tokyo (the other is the Toden Arakawa line), the Tokyu Setagaya Line serves a tiny 5km stretch of south-west Tokyo. Its ten-station line is a haven for local feeling and one of the true little joys of suburban discovery. Easy to get to, easy to ride and easy to enjoy, the Setagaya Line is a must for those looking for a picturesque day of feelgood sightseeing.

Starting from Sangenjaya station, whose backstreets of bar- and café-filled alleyways are framed by the station’s iconic Carrot Tower and its free 26th floor observation deck, pick yourself up an unlimited rides 1-Day Open Ticket for JPY660. From here, take the tram to Nishi Taishido, where a few minutes' walk takes you to the quirky Gallery Setagaya 233, an independent gallery and cafe for local artists to sell their creations.

Base of Carrot Tower
Base of Carrot Tower (Photo: Rs1421 / CC BY-SA 3.0)

The next station is Wakabayashi where you’ll find the retro-styled Cafe Steps and its great coffee. After your caffeine hit, head on to Shoinjinja-mae station and visit the station’s namesake, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Yoshida Shoin, an intellectual and political activist executed during the final years of the Edo Period.

Shoin Shrine
Shoin Shrine (Photo: Nesnad / CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Buddhist temple Enkoin can be found at Setagaya, the next station, while further up is Kamimachi, home to Setagaya Ward’s famous Boro-Ichi Flea Market. Held twice in winter, the market event is over 400 years old and is an absolute must for bargain hunters and lovers of community charm. Kamimachi is also home to Setagaya Castle Ruins Park, a park built around the barest remains of a 14th century castle.

Enkoin Temple near Setagaya station
Enkoin Temple near Setagaya station (Photo: 小池 隆 / CC BY 3.0)

The famous Gotokuji Temple with its hundreds of maneki neko beckoning cat charms is an easy walk from Miyanosaka station. From here you can also visit Hachiman Shrine, where you can watch some amateur sumo each September. Yamashita station, being only a moment away from the Odakyu Line’s Gotokuji station, has slightly more hustle and bustle to it with its greater concentration of stores and eateries.

Maneki neko lucky cats in Gotokuji (cropped)
Maneki neko lucky cats in Gotokuji (cropped) (Photo: Nesnad / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Matsubara with its large suburban Akamatsu Park is a good place to people-watch, as the kids practice their baseball and football. The Setagaya Line finally ends at Shimo Takaido, whose shotengai shopping street is a bustling magnet for the area and an excellent place to wander around and savour the intimate shopping atmosphere of local Tokyo.

Shimo-takaido shotengai
Shimo-takaido shotengai (Photo: oonnuuoo / CC BY 2.0)

Away from the brand name mayhem of modern tourism are little gems like the Tokyu Setagaya Line. Getting on board and casually exploring the local area may be just the ticket for you.

Getting there

To find the terminals, take the Tokyu Den-en-toshi line to Sangenjaya or the Keio line to Shimotakaido.

More info

Find out more about Sangenjaya.

14
5
Was this article helpful?
Help us improve the site
Give Feedback

Join the discussion

Elena Lisina 4 years ago
Cute Maneki neko train! :)
Elizabeth S 5 years ago
This line and the Toden Arakawa Line are wonderful ways to see street level life, right? The exeperience is so different from riding the subway or surface lines. A little slower, a lot more local.
Sleiman Azizi Author 5 years ago
I think it's a great way of spending your time. I used to wander about the back streets of Setagaya for hours courtesy of its tram line. It creates a different kind of memory than a visit to a brand name tourist spot.
Kim 5 years ago
I grew up in Melbourne, Australia, where trams are a big part of life in the city. They really are a great way to get around and I'm glad to see that there's still the chance to do that in Tokyo. Got to ride them in Nagasaki recently, too! :)
Sleiman Azizi Author 5 years ago
Setagaya was my first home in Japan so I have fond memories of the Tokyu Setagaya Line.

Thank you for your support!

Your feedback has been sent.