Asagaya

In short

Asagaya is a neighborhood in Suginami Ward centered around JR Asagaya Station on the Chuo Line. Stretching from the station's south exit is the covered shopping street Asagaya Pearl Center, while Nakasugi-dori Street, lined with zelkova trees, extends north and south of the station. The area comes alive with the Tanabata Festival in summer and the Jazz Streets event in October.

• ​Asagaya Pearl Center​​: A covered shopping arcade extending 700 meters from the station's south exit, lined with small shops and cafes.
• ​Asagaya Tanabata Festival​​: A summer festival held since 1954, where numerous giant papier-mâché figures made through open public submissions are hung from the arcade roof.
• ​Asagaya Jazz Streets​​: A jazz event that began in 1995. Performance venues include public squares, shrines, and coffee shops along the 2-kilometer stretch of Nakasugi-dori Street running north and south through the station area.

History and Highlights

Asagaya is a town that extends around JR Asagaya Station on the Chuo Line. Its name is said to derive from once being a shallow valley along the Momozono River. Although the official address was standardized in 1963 (Showa 38) to a written form that drops the small character between "Asa" and "ya," the station and everyday names still keep it. Both forms are read "Asagaya."

From the period following the Great Kanto Earthquake of the Taisho era into the Showa era, many literary figures—including Ibuse Masuji, Yosano Akiko, and Dazai Osamu—lived in and around this neighborhood. For this reason, it was referred to as the "Asagaya Writers' Village" (Asagaya Bunshi-mura). Even today, the area has many bookstores and second-hand bookshops.

The zelkova trees along Nakasugi-dori Street, which passes north and south through the station, form one of Suginami Ward's representative scenic sights. It is said that this tree-lined avenue began after World War II when local residents collected funds to plant saplings.

From the south exit of the station, Asagaya Pearl Center continues for 700 meters. It is a covered shopping street packed with small shops and cafes. Around the station, traditional shopping streets remain well preserved, featuring alleyways lined with small drinking establishments and an independent mini-theater.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Asagaya Tanabata Festival​​: Started in 1954 to encourage visitors even in the hot summer, this festival has become a summer hallmark of Asagaya. During the festival, numerous giant papier-mâché figures are suspended from the arcade ceiling of Pearl Center. Made through open public calls for entries, a diverse range of colorful creations decorate the overhead space.
• ​Asagaya Jazz Streets​​: Begun in 1995 with the slogan "making Asagaya a bright and lively town through jazz," this October event is run by local volunteers. Venues along the 2-kilometer stretch of Nakasugi-dori Street centered around the station—including station plazas, shrines, churches, cafes, and restaurants—serve as stages for live performances.
• ​Zelkova Trees and Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine​​: The zelkova trees on Nakasugi-dori Street are especially beautiful during the fresh green of spring and the autumn foliage season. About a 2-minute walk from the station's north exit lies Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine, which also serves as a performance venue during the jazz festival.

Walking Tips

Asagaya is about an 8-minute ride on the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, Chuo Line Rapid trains do not stop at Asagaya Station, so please take the Chuo-Sobu Line local train instead. You can walk down the Asagaya Pearl Center shopping arcade from the south exit, return to the station, and then head out to the zelkova-lined Nakasugi-dori Street from the north exit. Walking about 2 minutes from the north exit brings you to the sacred grove of Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine.