My Tokyo Guide
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Updated: February 13, 2023
On the outskirts of northern Tokyo, Kita Senju originated as an Edo-period postal town, where travelers stopped for the night before making their way to the city center. The Yokoyama Family Residence still bears sword marks from the war at the end of the Edo period, and warehouses from that era remind us of the history of this post town. Kita-Senju Station is one of Tokyo's leading terminal stations, and the area around the station is lined with department stores such as EQUiA Kitasenju, Marui, and Lumine.
While the station continues to serve as a major transportation hub for Tokyo, the surrounding area has a charming residential atmosphere with an abundance of parks, down-to-earth shops and eateries, university campuses, and a famous summer fireworks festival. Take a stroll down Kitasenju Shukubamachi-dori Shotengai, an Edo-period road now lined with many shops and eateries.
You will be delighted to find a disproportionately large number of parks in the area, as well as further recreation areas along the nearby Arakawa River. If you are visiting in the summer, don't miss the Adachi Fireworks Festival. Held at the end of July (the date varies each year), the event is one of Tokyo's major summer fireworks displays, with more than 10,000 fireworks launched into the air over the course of an hour.
Temple lovers will find the journey to nearby Nishiaraidaishi Souji Temple worthwhile. By visiting the temple, it is believed you are able to ward off evil, and many people go for this reason. Another draw is the variety of plum, cherry, wisteria, peony and hydrangea flowers that bloom throughout the grounds.
The nearest access point is Kita-Senju Station, which is served by the JR Joban Line, Tsukuba Express Line, Tokyo Metro's Chiyoda and Hibiya lines, and the Tobu Isesaki Line (Tobu Skytree Line).
From Narita Airport: approximately 90 minutes by train.
From Haneda Airport: approximately 60 minutes by train.
From Shinjuku Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Nishi-Nippori Station. From there change to the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and get off at Kita-Senju Station. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes.
From Tokyo Station: Takes about 20 minutes on the JR Ueno Tokyo Line.
As a residential neighborhood, Kita Senju is home to a number of parks serving the local residents. If you are sporty, enjoy Toneri Park with its 14 tennis courts, baseball fields, and general athletic field. The park also caters to nature lovers, with ponds inhabited by carp, ducks, and warblers. Nearby Higashi-Ayase Park is a hidden gem for cherry blossoms in early spring, while the Adachi Park of Living Things caters to children wanting to get a closer look at the local wildlife.
As an Edo-period post town on the north end of Tokyo, Kita Senju retains an old-school feel, with the narrow streets around the station popular among diners and shoppers. Covered awnings line the main thoroughfare, and merchants sell fresh produce and cheap wares.
Explore the streets nearby to find hidden alleys and shotengai shopping arcades occupied by izakaya bars, restaurants, and affordable shops. These include the Shukubamachi-dori Shotengai, and the Senju Honcho Shotengai. In the evening, these areas fill up with residents looking for drinks and food after a long day of work.