La Vita Jiyugaoka

In short

La Vita Jiyugaoka is a commercial facility located in a residential corner of Jiyugaoka that recreates the streetscape of Venice, the city of water. It is also called the "Venice of Jiyugaoka." It is known for its brick Western-style buildings, a gondola floating on a canal, and gray cobblestones. "La Vita" means "life" in Italian.

• ​Canal and Gondola​​: A genuine gondola floats in the waterway on the premises. You cannot ride it.
• ​Bridge and Clock Tower​​: A bridge spans the canal, and it is introduced that including the bridge makes it easy to also frame the clock tower in the background.
• ​Brick Buildings and Cobblestones​​: The brick Western-style buildings and gray cobblestones create an exotic, foreign-feeling streetscape.

History and Highlights

​La Vita Jiyugaoka​ is a commercial facility located in a corner of a residential neighborhood in Jiyugaoka. It recreates the streetscape of Venice, the city of water, and is also called the "Venice of Jiyugaoka." "La Vita" means "life" in Italian.

Stepping inside, you are greeted by brick Western-style buildings, a gondola floating on the canal, and gray cobblestones. It looks as if a small Italian town has appeared slightly away from the bustling shopping district in front of the station. Shops selling fashion items and interior goods are gathered around the plaza.

It is introduced that the facility was developed by Mont-Blanc, a long-established Western confectionery shop. Founded in 1933 (Showa 8), the shop has been beloved in Jiyugaoka since the early Showa period when Western sweets were rare, and it is said to have been the first to serve Mont Blanc cakes in Japan. Jiyugaoka is also said to be a town of sweets today.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Canal and Gondola​​: A genuine gondola floats in the waterway flowing through the premises. However, you cannot ride it; it is meant to be enjoyed by looking at it.
• ​Bridge and Clock Tower​​: A bridge spans the canal. According to photographers, framing the stone bridge adds depth and makes it easy to include the clock tower in the background. Waiting a little while for the bridge to clear of people is also one good method.
• ​Brick Buildings and Alleys​​: The brick Western-style buildings and gray cobblestones create the streetscape. The back alleys have fewer people, and you can see a combination of red walls and street lamps.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 5-minute walk from the main entrance of Jiyugaoka Station. It is situated around the border between the shopping district and the residential area.

First, stand in front of the canal and look at the gondola and the bridge. After that, walk along the cobblestones and explore the back alleys. Since there are shops operating on the premises, please take care not to block passageways or shop entrances when taking photos.

In the shopping district in front of Jiyugaoka Station, benches are placed along the Kuhonbutsugawa Green Path, serving as a spot for relaxation. Kuhonbutsu Joshin-ji Temple is located approximately 720 meters in a straight line to the west-southwest.