Did you know Sailor Moon played an active role here? Take a stroll around Azabu-Juban, the former residence of the Sendai clan! [Tokyo]

Jun Nambara
2017.07.14
Last updated: 2025.09.1

table of contents

1 Let's walk the slopes of Azabu
- 1.1 Hikawa Shrine, the guardian deity of Azabu where Sailor Mars Rei Hino served as a shrine maiden
- 1.2 Meet Kimi-chan, the model for the children's song "Akai Kutsu"
2 Visit long-established stores in Azabu Juban shopping street
3 How was it?

Azabu-Juban in Tokyo's Minato Ward was the site of the residence of the feudal lord of the Sendai domain during the Edo period, and is now home to embassies from various countries.

Naoko Takeuchi, the manga artist behind "Sailor Moon," once lived here, and the area was also the setting for the Sailor Moon manga and anime. Take a stroll around Azabu-Juban, which retains the atmosphere of the Showa era despite being in the heart of the city.

Sendaizaka, where the mansion of the Sendai clan was located during the Edo period

Let's walk the slopes of Azabu

Azabu is known for its many slopes. First, let's take a stroll around the slopes of Azabu. Azabu Hikawa Shrine as a landmark, turn right onto the street in front of you and go straight. You will come across an intersection of slopes: Ipponmatsuzaka, Kurayamizaka, and Daikokuzaka.

It is said that Ipponmatsuzaka the large pine tree that stands on the slope

The slope was named Kurayamizaka because at the time it was covered in lush trees like a forest, and the slope was shrouded in darkness even during the day.

For this reason, there are many legends of monsters and ghosts on this slope. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa Shogunate also visited this area for falconry.

Hikawa Shrine, the guardian deity of Azabu where Sailor Mars Rei Hino served as a shrine maiden

Azabu Hikawa Shrine Sendaizaka . The name Sendaizaka comes from the fact that the Sendai domain's lower residence was located on the south side of the slope during the Edo period

Azabu Hikawa Shrine appears in "Sailor Moon" under the name Hikawa Shrine, and is the shrine where Sailor Mars, a character from the same work, Rei Hino, served as a shrine maiden.

The red building is the main shrine. In the Sailor Moon series, it appears as a place where everyone gathers after incidents or everyday life.

This is also the place where Hino Rei, dressed as a shrine maiden, swept up fallen leaves with a broom. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa Shogunate also visited this shrine.

The storehouse where the shrine mikoshi is kept

Azabu Hikawa Shrine is home to one of the most magnificent mikoshi (portable shrines) among the shrines in the Kanto region. In the past, it was pulled by two oxen in the parade. This scene is depicted in a painting titled "The New Mikoshi and Parade in 1935."

Azabu Hikawa Shrine <Information>

Name: Azabu Hikawa Shrine
Address: 1-4-23 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046
Phone number: 03-3446-8796
Official URL: https://www.azabuhikawa.or.jp/

Google Map

Meet Kimi-chan, the model for the children's song "Akai Kutsu"

At the bottom of Daikokuzaka, there is a square with six large zelkova trees. This Patio Juban .

There are also several benches, making this a relaxing spot in Azabu-Juban. This is where "Kimi-chan" lives.

Patio Juban, a relaxing place in Azabu Juban

Kimi-chan is the "Kimi-chan Statue," a statue of the girl who was the model for the song "Red Shoes," written in 1922

It is also a symbol of Azabu Juban. The girl's name was Iwasaki Kimi , and the orphanage where she was cared for until her final moments was Toriizaka Church in Azabu.

Currently, Juban Inari Shrine stands where the church once stood.

Patio Juban <Information>

Name: Patio Juban
Address: 2-13-1 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045
telephone number:-
Official URL: Minato Ward Tourism Association – Patio Juban

Google Map

Visit long-established stores in Azabu Juban shopping street

Azabu Juban Shopping Street appeared in the Sailor Moon anime and manga as the setting for the series, known as "Jubancho Shopping Street."

This is indeed Tsukino Usagi's hometown. Azabu-Juban Station opened in 2000.

Nunoya Taibei, a long-established soba restaurant founded 220 years ago

Azabu-Juban Shopping Street is home to many long-established stores that were founded in the Edo and Meiji periods. One of these Nagasaka Sarashina Nunoya Taibei, .

It all began in the Kan'ei era when a sign reading "Shinshu Sarashina Soba Shop Nunoya Taibei" was hung in Nagasaka, Azabu, Edo.

Cloth shop Tahei <Information>

Name: Nagasaka Sarashina Cloth Shop Taibei Azabu Main Store
Address: Azabujuban Daisan Kobayashi Building, 1-8-7 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045
Phone number: 03-3585-1676
Official URL: https://www.nagasakasarasina.co.jp/

Google Map

"Naniwaya Sohonten" - the model for "Oyoge Taiyaki-kun"

The red noren hanging at the entrance is the long-established taiyaki shop, Naniwaya Sohonten .

Founded in 1909, the shop wraps freshly baked taiyaki so that you can eat it while walking. It is also known as the shop that inspired the popular Showa era song "Oyoge Taiyaki-kun."

Naniwaya Main Branch <Information>

Name: Original Taiyaki Naniwaya Main Store
Address: 1-8-14 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045
Phone number: 03-3583-4975
Official URL: Minato Ward Tourism Association – Naniwaya Main Branch

Google Map

Tanuki Senbei, a long-established hand-baked rice cracker shop

Azabu Juban Tanuki Senbei, marked by a large raccoon at the entrance , was founded in 1928 and is a long-established shop in Azabu that continues to specialize in hand-baked senbei rice crackers.

In the past, many tanuki lived in Azabu, and there are still stories of people being tricked by tanuki during the Edo and Meiji periods.

The handmade tanuki rice crackers come in a variety of sizes, including "big tanuki," "small tanuki," and "warabe tanuki." They make a great souvenir from Azabu.

Tanuki rice crackers ＜Information＞

Name: Azabu Juban Tanuki Senbei Tokyo Main Store
Address: 1-9-13 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045
Phone number: 03-3585-0501
Official URL: https://www.tanuki10.com/

Google Map

End your walk by relaxing at , Take no Yu

Takeno-yu was a radium hot spring that opened in 1913 and was a public bathhouse with a health spa-like atmosphere, which was rare at the time .

In December 2002, was approved as "Azabu Kokubisui Onsen,"

You can enjoy the hot springs for the price of a public bath. Towels are available for rent, so you can come empty-handed. You can also use the sauna for an additional fee.

Azabu Kokubi-sui Onsen Take no Yu ＜Information＞

Name: Azabu Kuromizu Onsen Take no Yu
Address: 1-15-12 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047
Phone number: 03-3453-1446
Official URL: https://takenoyuazabu.wixsite.com/takeno-yu

Google Map

How was it?

Azabu-Juban, the setting for Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, is located in the heart of the city, yet has a tranquil atmosphere.

If you are sightseeing in Tokyo, be sure to take a walk through Azabu Juban and the Azabu Juban shopping district.

Link: Azabu Juban Shopping Street Official Website

Jun Nambara

Writer, screenwriter, animation producer. He wrote and directed the drama CD ``The Rose of Versailles,'' supervised by Riyoko Ikeda, and has written many books, including ``Onmyoji ``Abe Seimei'' (Futami Shobo). He is also attracting attention as a travel writer who works as a tour conductor on weekends. His hobby is visiting the sacred places of anime, dramas, and movies.