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Jiyugaoka

Laid-back ambience with trendy European vibe

About Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka rail crossing (Photo: Akane1988 / Shutterstock.com)

Things to do in Jiyugaoka

Tokyo Top 10

Where to eat in Jiyugaoka

What is a Mont Blanc?

What is a Mont Blanc?

Lester Goh

So, what is a Mont Blanc? In Japan, the Mont Blanc refers to a dessert and not just any dessert; but an exquisite confection t..

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Sweets Forest Café

Sweets Forest Café

Livvy Boote

Jiyugaoka's Sweets Forest immerses you delightfully sweet world of pink décor, cakes, and every kind of dessert you can th..

A Trip to Kosoan

A Trip to Kosoan

Kim Bergström

Hidden away on the backstreets of Jiyugaoka is Kosoan, a charming tea house in a traditional home. From the tea itself to the treasures..

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Latest Jiyugaoka Reports

Plus Veganique

Plus Veganique

Kim Bergström

Plus Veganique in Jiyugaoka is an entirely vegan friendly restaurant. There are a range of different main dishes and sweets on the..

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About Jiyugaoka

Jiyugaoka (自由が丘) is located in southern Meguro, Tokyo, and has often been considered as one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo. It’s not hard to see why once you visit this charming area. Located at the junction of the Toyoko Line and the Oimachi Line, Jiyūgaoka is brimming with life and movement. This, in addition to its relatively sparse population, makes it an easygoing place to spend a day shopping and sightseeing.

Translated as “freedom hill,” Jiyūgaoka is often called o-share, “trendy” or “fancy”, by its fellow Tokyoites. It came into its own as the bustling town it is today around the 1970s, after it grew quickly following World War II. Today, you’ll find boutiques, cafes, specialty stores, and restaurants galore dotting the easy to navigate streets. And with buses running to and from the station, it’s easy to get to where you need to be; there’s even an alternative fuel bus that runs on tempura oil!

Festivals from January to May turn Jiyūgaoka into a lively spectacle of energy and activity: the Hantan-sai in January is held at Kumano Shrine and boasts a history of more than 800 years; the Cherry Blossom Festival the first April of every year lines Green Street with music and festivities; also in April and May is the Spring Festival, a sort of arts festival with well-known guests musicians; and in May, visit the Marie Claire Festival along the street of the same name, popular for lively music and chanson artists.

One thing is for sure, this exciting stop is deceptive in its small size; you can find rich culture and history at its many shops, from shops boasting all handmade clothing to import kitchenware, from the beloved Peter Rabbit Garden Café by famed English author Beatrix Potter to the first Mont Blanc cake shop in Japan. There’s something fascinating hiding on every street of Jiyūgaoka.

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