OyamadaiTake a stroll through the historic temples in the quiet residential area of Oyamadai

Japan Travel Samurai x "Japanese and People's Exchange Chitose" project "Japanese Walk". This time, we took a walk around Oyamadai in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo with Jo Morinaka, who is active as a model and actor.

What is Oyamadai?

Oyamadai, located in the southern part of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, is known as an upscale residential area along with Todoroki. Many areas are designated as "Type 1 low-rise residential areas" to protect the living environment, and are characterized by a lack of tall buildings. In addition, the area has been designated as a scenic area to preserve the natural landscape, and abundant nature remains.

The Maruko River (formerly the Rokugo Irrigation Canal) flows through the southern part of Oyamadai, and the Kokubunji Cliff Line continues on. The Kokubunji Cliff Line was created as the Tama River carved the Musashino Plateau over hundreds of thousands of years. The area near the Kokubunji Cliff Line is a place rich in nature with continuous slopes, and is known as an area with ancient temples such as Denjoji Temple and Usa Shrine, as well as ancient tombs.

By the way, during the Edo period, Oyamadai was called "Oyama Village, Ebara County," but in the mid-Meiji period it became "Oyama" to distinguish it from "Oyama Village" (present-day Oyama, Shinagawa Ward), which was also in Ebara County.

The terminal station is Oyamadai Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line. Jiyugaoka Station and Futako Tamagawa Station are two stops away. There are four shopping streets in front of the station, so you won't have any trouble finding something to buy. The town has a calm atmosphere and is popular for being easy to live in.

The stylish "Happy Road Oyamadai" that stretches out from the south exit

The walk begins at "Happy Road Oyamadai," which runs from the south exit of Oyamadai Station to Kanpachi Street. A stylish shopping street with cobblestones and trees along the road, with a variety of shops lined up along a gentle uphill slope. Happy Road Oyamadai is a nickname, and the official name is Oyamadai Shoeikai Shopping Street. It was named after the completion of the road reconstruction work in 1989.

In addition to chain stores such as restaurants and convenience stores, the shopping street also has a few traditional shops such as barber shops, rice shops, fruit shops and butcher shops. Numerous events are held throughout the year and are loved by locals. The Oyamadai Festival in October is extremely popular among Setagaya residents.

A nail salon attached to the shop! "HANAKADO" run by two friendly sisters

"HANAKADO" along Happy Road Oyamadai is a cafe and bar with a nail salon attached. It is run by sisters, an older sister with cafe experience and a younger sister who is a nail artist, and features a stylish interior with a modern Japanese atmosphere. Dogs are welcome at the cafe, and they also have a special menu for dogs.

The cafe's menu includes coffee, tea, and alcohol. Based on the concept of "a taste that you can eat at home but can't, and that is comforting to the soul," you can enjoy meals such as homemade tender chicken rice bowls and miso butter chicken curry. Starting in July, they have also started offering a morning menu that includes organic salad, egg salad, bread, and a drink.

This time I chose yuzu soda and enjoyed the refreshing citrus flavor.

Denjoji Temple, an ancient temple in Setagaya Ward

About 12 minutes from HANAKODO, you pass through Happy Road Oyamadai and walk south through a quiet residential area until you come closer to the Kokubunji Cliff Line. As you walk down the slope, you will spot a five-story pagoda in the distance! As if guided, you will stop at Denjoji Temple.

Its official name is Matsutakayama Hoshoin Denjoji Temple, and its founding date is unknown. It appears to have been built in the early Edo period by the monk Sumiyoshi Ryo as a branch temple of Izumizawaji Temple in Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, across the Tama River.

The principal image is Amida Nyorai. The main hall houses a standing statue of Jizo Bodhisattva with its head, made in the Heian period. The temple was destroyed by fire in 1802 and was later rebuilt. The five-story pagoda, which is the most eye-catching feature of the temple grounds, was built in 2005.

The grounds are compact but well-maintained, and the beautiful garden-like atmosphere is perfect for a stroll. It is also a hidden gem where you can enjoy seasonal flowers, and in spring the rhododendrons and other red flowers are in full bloom. The ginkgo trees in autumn are also beautiful.

Usa Shrine, associated with Minamoto no Yoriyoshi

Next, we visited the neighboring Usa Shrine. This shrine is the southernmost in Setagaya Ward, and its deity is Komudawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ojin). According to the shrine building, its origins date back to the late Heian period.

In 1052, when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, on his way to Oshu to subjugate the Abe clan, set up camp here, he rejoiced at the sight of the white clouds dividing into eight parts and rolling down, and swore victory to the gods. After subjugating Oshu (the Zenkunen no Era), he built the Hachiman Shrine in 1063 to report his victory to the gods, and this is said to be the origin of the shrine. It was founded in 1063, and the shrine building was rebuilt in 1699. The current shrine building was constructed in 1918.

The grounds are surrounded by greenery and have a calming atmosphere. Behind the shrine's worship hall is the Hachimanzuka Kofun, thought to have been built in the 5th or 6th century. This is one of the Noge Kofun group that remains along the Kokubunji cliff line, and is thought to be the tomb of a chieftain. During the excavation, bronze mirrors, iron swords, spears, iron arrowheads, and small glass beads have been unearthed.

Reflecting on history on the hillside near the dormitory

The slope that curves in an S shape in front of Denjoji Temple and Usa Shrine is called "Ryo no Saka." The name comes from the dormitory where the monks of Denjoji Temple lived. In fact, Denjoji Temple was once located on the plateau on the east side of the slope, where the main hall and dormitory were lined up.

This historic slope was also used as a route for transporting weapons, military supplies, and other cargo from the nearby Tamagawa inlet called Kagoyato (near present-day Denenchofu Futaba Gakuen) to Okusawa Castle, which was located in the current Kuhonbutsu Joshinji temple area. During the Edo period, Denjoji was positioned as an intermediate military base between Senzawaji temple and Joshinji temple, and the dormitory slope seems to have been used as a military road.

View of Mt. Fuji from Kitsunezuka Kofun Green Space

After walking west for about 5 minutes from the top of the hill, the final destination of this walk, Kitsunezuka Kofun Green Space, came into view. This green space was developed to preserve the ancient tombs and is now a park.

The name is said to come from the fact that there used to be an Inari shrine here. Incidentally, the fox tail of Oyamadai's character "Oyama Oppon" comes from the Kitsunezuka Kofun. The kofun is a circular tumulus (there are various theories) built between the 5th century and the first half of the 6th century, and fragments of clay figurines and pottery have been unearthed during excavations.

This place is rich in nature, including red pines, and the view from the top of the hill after climbing the stairs is amazing! On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji. In the fall, you can also enjoy collecting acorns.

【Today's walking course】

Oyamadai Station → Happy Road Oyamadai → HANAKADO → Denjoji Temple → Usa Shrine → Ryonozaka → Kitsunezuka Kofun Green Space

[Spots visited this time]

"HANAKADO" 3-10-8 Oyamadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
"Denjoji Temple" 2-10-3 Oyamadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
"Usa Shrine" 2-11-3 Oyamadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
"Dormitory Hill" Oyamadai, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
"Kitsunezuka Kofun Green Space" 2-17-10 Oyamadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo