'Harajuku for grandmothers': the shopping street leading to Koganji, home of the Togenuki Jizo, where older Tokyoites pray for good health. Locals queue to wash the Arai Kannon statue on the part of the body that hurts, then buy red underwear for luck at Maruji and shio-daifuku on the way home.
- Address
- Sugamo 3-4, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Koganji temple: 3-35-2 Sugamo)
- Hours
- Many shops open around 09:00 (GO TOKYO)
- Best time to go
- Morning · About 1.5 h
- Price
- Free to walk; temple free
- Price level
- JPY
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- Buy the osugata paper talisman of the Jizo at the temple.
- Use a cloth on the Arai Kannon: scrubbing with brushes wore out the first statue (Wikipedia JA).
- Start early: many shops open around 9:00.