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

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 Sendai domain's mansion was located during the Edo period

Walk the slopes of Azabu

Azabu is known for its many hills. Let's start by exploring the hills of Azabu.Azabu Hikawa Shrineas a landmark, head straight ahead to the right on the street in front of it. You will come across a crossroads of hills: Ipponmatsu-zaka, Kurayami-zaka, and Daikoku-zaka.

Ipponmatsuzaka

The landmark is a large single pine tree.(Single Pine Tree Hill) got its name because of the large single pine tree that stands on the hillIt is said that

Darkness Hill

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

Hikawa Shrine entrance

Azabu Hikawa ShrineSendai Slopeis located at the top ofthe Sendai Domain's secondary residence was located on the south side of the slope during the Edo periodoriginates from the fact that

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

Azabu Hikawa Shrine Main Hall

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
Actual photo of the shrine mikoshi

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/

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Meet Kimi-chan, the model for the nursery rhyme "Red Shoes"

At the bottom of Daikoku Slope, there is a plaza with six large zelkova trees. This"Patio Juban".

Azabu-Juban Area Guide Map

There are several benches, making it a relaxing spot in Azabu-Juban."Kimi-chan"is located here.

Patio Juban, a place of relaxation in Azabu Juban
Kimi-chan statue

"Kimichan" refers to the "Kimichan statue,"the girl who served as the model for the song "Akai Kutsu" (Red Shoes), which was written in 1922a statue of

It is also a symbol of Azabu-Juban. The girl's name wasKimi Iwasaki. The orphanage that cared for her until the end was Torizaka Church in Azabu.

Currently, Juban Inari Shrine stands where the church once stood

Patio Juban <Information>

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Visiting long-established shops in Azabu-Juban Shopping Street

Azabu Juban Shopping Streetappeared in the anime and manga of Sailor Moon as "Jubancho Shopping Street," serving as the setting for the series.

This is indeed Usagi Tsukino's hometown.Azabu-Juban StationAccess has become much easier since the opening of

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

In the Azabu Juban shopping district, there are still long-established shops that were founded during the Edo and Meiji periods. One of them"Nagasaka Sarashina Nunoya Tahei,".

Nagasaka Sarashina: Cloth Shop 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/

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

The shop with the red noren (curtain) hanging at the entranceNaniwaya Sohonten, a long-established taiyaki (fish-shaped cake).

Naniwaya Main Branch

Founded in 1909, this shop offers freshly made taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste) that can be eaten on the go.the shop that inspired the popular Showa-era song "Oyoge Taiyaki-kun" (Swim, Taiyaki-kun)It is also known as

Naniwaya Main Branch <Information>

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

easily recognizable by its large raccoon dog statue at the entrance,"Azabu Juban Tanuki Senbei,"is a long-established shop founded in 1928 in Azabu, dedicated to hand-baked rice crackers.

Azabu Juban Tanuki Senbei

In the past,many tanuki (raccoon dogs) lived in Azabu, and there are stories from the Edo and Meiji periods about people being tricked by them.

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/

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The perfect way to end your stroll isTakenoyu,to relax at

a public bathhouse built in 1913 (Taisho 2) that featured a radium hot spring and was a rare example of a health spa-style bathhouse at the time"Takenoyu".

Azabu Black Water Hot Springs Takenoyu

, named after a customer who commented that "bathing in the dark brown water makes your skin smooth.""Azabu Kokubisui Onsen" (Azabu Black Beauty Water Hot Spring)was officially recognized as

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＞

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What did you think?

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

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