Koenji

Located in West Tokyo is an area called Koenji [高円寺[こうえんじ]] - a very cozy residential area filled with Shotengai. Shotengai [商店街[しょうてんがい]] are streets filled with shops which cater for the residents living nearby - restaurants, grocery stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, barbers, post offices, book stores, game centers and izakaya (pubs).

 

Areas like Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya are not called Shotengai and are usually referred to as Hankagai [繁華街[はんかがい]]. Hankagai are usually located around major train stations in non-residential areas.

 

Koenji has a large population of young folks. There are many one room apartments/mansions and food and clothing is generally cheap. There are also many cheap second hand clothing stores and zakka (life style products) to be found.

 

Koenji is also where you can enjoy the Awa Odori [阿波踊り] festival which takes place every Summer - this year to take place on August 25th.

 

 

 

Koenji would be a great place to see a slice of life in Tokyo and you can get there by getting off at Koenji station [高円寺駅] on the JR Chuo line [中央線].

 

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View more at www.dannychoo.com/post/en/26468/Koenji.html

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