Must-See Spots in Shimotakaido

Located 10 minutes by train from Shinjuku, Shimotakaido Station is a town with a downtown feel.

It is conveniently located at the intersection of the Keio Line and Tokyu Setagaya Line, and there is a historic shopping street in front of the station. Lined with fruit and vegetable stores, butcher stores, and fresh fish stores, the shopping street has a lived-in feel and a relaxed atmosphere that evokes the atmosphere of the Showa period. The area straddles Setagaya and Suginami wards, and with access to central Tokyo at 10 minutes to Shinjuku and 15 minutes to Shibuya, it is an easy place to live and enjoy a bit of sightseeing and wandering around!

In this article, we will introduce five recommended places to visit when you visit Shimotakaido, a town with a retro Showa-era atmosphere where old-fashioned stores still remain.

KALDI（KALDI COFFEE FARM）

Kaldi Coffee Farm” aka Kaldi

The first KALDI store is located in Shimotakaido! It is a source of pride for the people living in Shimotakaido to be the birthplace of the world-class KALDI, and it is very impressive to think that since its opening in 1986, it has grown to the scale of 400 stores worldwide today.

It has moved a bit from where it originally opened, but since it is located on a shopping street and always distributes coffee in the store, many people visit it after shopping.

If you visit Shimotakaido, be sure to stop by the first KALDI store!

KALDI Shimotakaido

住所	Shimotakaido ES Building 1F, 3-29-20 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3323-8897
営業時間	10:00-21:00
公式サイト	https://www.kaldi.co.jp/

TATSUMIYA（Taiyaki）

A popular Shimotakaido gourmet food that has been certified as a “Setagaya souvenir!

A sister store of Izakaya Tatsumi, it is the most popular store on Nichidai Dori. The crispy texture with wings and the filling is filled with a rich red bean paste. 170 yen per piece, and depending on the time of the day, there may be a line out the door.

Why not try one while taking a walk?

TATSUMIYA

住所	5-31-1 Akatsutsutsumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3324-9175
営業時間	10:00-18:45
公式サイト	https://www.shimotaka.or.jp/tatsumi/taiyaki.html

Koryu (Chinese Cuisine)

A machichuka restaurant run by a couple along the Setagaya Line. The restaurant, which has both a counter and tables, is always full at lunch and in the evening. Many people often order “yakiniku,” “fried rice,” and “gyoza.

I like the “Yakiniku” of this restaurant! It is stir-fried pork and onions with sweet and spicy sauce, and goes great with rice!

Personally, I recommend this Chinese restaurant as one of the best gourmet restaurants in Shimotakaido! If you are hungry, I highly recommend “Koryu”.

Koryu

住所	4-11-7 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3325-6888
営業時間	Lunch: 11:30 - 15:00 Night: 18:00 - 21:00
定休日	Tuesday

Shimotakaido Ozora Park

This new park opened in 2017 as the site of the former TEPCO ground.

It features a spacious lawn area and playground equipment, and as the name suggests, an open feeling of spaciousness and open sky. With swings, slides, seesaws, jungle gyms, and other popular playground equipment for children, the park attracts many families on weekends. The multipurpose plaza also serves as a hub for community activities, with local events and flea markets sometimes held there. The park has a jogging course and health equipment for health-conscious residents, making it a favorite among adults of all ages.

There is also a clean administration building with a rest area, multipurpose restroom, and nursing room, making it safe for visitors with children. In one corner of the rest area, there is a cushion corner for infants, and picture books and illustrated books are always available, so many parents read picture books to their children on the mats.

When you want to feel nature in a spacious environment, please spend a moment in the park!

Ozora Park

住所	28-23, Shimotakaido 2-chome, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3321-5022
公式サイト	https://www.city.suginami.tokyo.jp/shisetsu/kouen/03/shimotakaido/1032193.html

Shimotakaido Cinema

Established in the 1960s, Shimotakaido Cinema is a long-established movie theater that has been in operation for about 60 years. It is the only movie theater in Shimotakaido and is loved by locals and movie fans as a “good old-fashioned movie theater. Shimotakaido Cinema recommends that those who live near Shimotakaido become members because membership is very affordable!

《Annual Fees》

• General Fee：3,500 yen
• Elementary, junior high, and high school students, seniors, and those with disabilities：2,500 yen

※Valid for 1 year

《Benefit》

• ① You get two free tickets.
• ② You will be able to watch them for 990 yen each.
• ③ 5 stamps get you an invitation ticket.
• ④ Discount for accompanying persons (100~400 yen)
• ⑤ They will mail a screening schedule to your home.
• ⑥ You get 35 shopping district stamps.

Shimotakaido Cinema

住所	3-27-26 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3328-1008
営業時間	Please check the screening schedule
営業日	Please check the screening schedule
公式サイト	http://www.shimotakaidocinema.com/index.html

Summary

Shimotakaido is a town where you can enjoy a little stroll while still having a sense of life. On Nichidai Street, which leads to the Nihon University College of Humanities campus, there are bakeries, coffee shops, takoyaki (octopus dumplings) stores, and other casual places to enjoy yourself in addition to the stores introduced here! You can also walk to other stations in Shimotakaido, such as Gotokuji Station along the Setagaya Line, and Meidaimae and Sakurajosui along the Keio Line, which take about 10 to 20 minutes each, so it may be fun to visit the Shimotakaido area in a circle!

How about visiting Shimotakaido for a little weekend sightseeing or a walk in the downtown area?