The Noripy Exploration Team dedicates to searching for “Fun in Tokyo” every day. This month’s discovery report is on Kitasenju in the northern part of Tokyo.
Kita-Senju is a historic post town located along the Edo period highway leading to Nikko. It is filled with history, delicious cuisine, and countless discoveries. Absolutely Kita-Senju is a place to visit!
Let’s walk the old highway!
Let’s walk along the old Nikko Kaido. Kitasenju is an inn town that developed along the highway to Nikko during the Edo period. Let’s see what we can discover today! Let’s start exploring Kitasenju!
Let your thoughts wander. Haiku by Matsuo Basho.
“An old silent pond… a frog jumps into the pond— splash!” This is a famous haiku by Basho, a renowned Japanese poet of the Edo period. Haiku has now gained worldwide popularity. Kitasenju is the place where Matsuo Basho set off on his journey along the “Narrow Road to the Deep North.” How about meeting Basho across time?
Trying a public bath for the first time?
Are you familiar with “Sento” (public bath) in town? It’s not a hot spring facility for tourists but an authentic local public bath for the community. The admission fee is only around 4 USD. Kitasenju is a treasure trove of Sento. There are so many of them that you’ll come across one within a 10-minute walk. At Takara-yu, you can relax while sitting on the veranda and enjoying the view of a beautiful garden.
Transcend time and space in Historical buildings!
Well-preserved and utilized are the merchant houses, storehouses, and traditional homes from the Edo period. For instance, “Nakacho House” is opened as a salon on weekends, allowing visitors to enter and enjoy the tatami rooms and the garden. Moreover, you can have a special spatial experience by actually entering the storehouse of the Yokoyama family, which used to be a paper merchant.
Foodie satisfaction!
Along the old highway, you’ll find numerous historic dumpling shops, izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), and a popular coffee shop with long queues. Enjoying a delicious cup of coffee in an atmospheric setting with deep flavors makes you feel that the wait was worth it. Near the station, there’s always a bustling takoyaki pub crowded with customers. Takoyaki is a representative B-class gourmet dish, considered a soul food for many Japanese people. It’s absolutely delicious!
Savor it! Luxury gourmet.
You can indulge in meals featuring the finest ingredients. Restaurant Itagaki, renovated from an old traditional house, offers a reservation-only Japanese course menu for a truly exquisite dining experience. For lunch, Adachi Market specializing in seafood is highly recommended. And for dinner, Yamayoshi is a must-visit where you can enjoy the highest quality sushi paired with premium Japanese sake.
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