Bokksu Snack Box
Azabu Juban: A Cultural Mosaic in the Heart of Tokyo
Welcome to Azabu Juban, one of the most desirable residential areas in Tokyo. The district blends traditional upscale charm with downtown vibes. Every year, thousands of people go out of their way to make Azabu Juban their home. Find out what the fuss is all about as we explore the district and what makes it such a special place to reside.
Introduction to Azabu Juban
Azabu Juban is a residential district located in the Minato ward of Tokyo, Japan. Resting between Tokyo Tower and Roppongi, it’s one of nine official districts in the Azabu area of Minato. Azabu Juban is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Tokyo, and it's home to many celebrities and wealthy business people.
Despite its upscale status, Azabu Juban can be considered a historic yet cosmopolitan neighborhood, blending rich tradition with a vibrant and modern lifestyle. This perception is mainly because of the village-like main street that connects to a cluster of busy supermarkets and shopping centers. Both aspects combine to create a perfect contrast.
In this post, we'll take a closer look at the streets of Azabu Juban, uncovering its cultural highlights, shopping experience, culinary scene, and what it's like to live there. But before we dive into all of that, let’s find out how the area became so prestigious in the first place.
The History of Azabu Juban
The story of Azabu Juban goes as far as the Edo Period (1603–1868), when it was nothing but a small fishing village in Edo (the old name for Tokyo). Traders used this village as a junction for transporting goods across the city.
Due to its growing popularity, the old Azabu Juban caught the eye of the samurai clans. It was a serene area and connected to the busier areas of Edo, making it the perfect retreat for them. And so Azabu Juban became a residential area for samurai.
The name “Azabu jūban” was coined in 1878 after the government designated the district as the tenth city ward out of the fifteen wards in Tokyo.
After Japan lost World War II, the area saw an influx of foreign businesses and embassies. Just like the samurai of Azabu Juban’s Edo Period roots, these companies were drawn by the area’s accessibility to Tokyo’s busier districts. Azabu Juban slowly transformed into a cosmopolitan area, incorporating Western architecture and trendy facilities like cafes and boutiques. However, the district maintained a small part of its traditional atmosphere.
Exploring Azabu Juban's Streets
The streets of Azabu Juban contain a mix of residential areas, shops, supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. The district’s main street gives off a village vibe. It has narrow roads paved with cobblestones, mellow car traffic, and old-fashioned stores. The architecture of most of the businesses in Azabu Juban reflects its rich history and cultural heritage. However, residential areas have more futuristic designs, including large complexes and skyscrapers.
Many of the quaint shops in the district are located in the Azabu-Juban Shopping District or Azabu Juban Shotengai, and some of them are over 100 years old. This shopping district houses foreign embassies, international eateries, and upscale boutiques. It’s one of the major cosmopolitan areas in Azabu Juban.
Some of the shops specialize in selling traditional Japanese crafts, including different kinds of pottery, paper goods, kimono outfits, and ceramics. Most of the items come from local artisans, whose families have lived in the area for decades.
Cultural Highlights of Azabu Juban
Lovers of local Japanese culture would enjoy exploring some of the attractions in Azabu Juban. These attractions include art galleries, traditional tea houses, and local temples in the area. If you’re looking for traditional figurines and boxes, we recommend Antique Art Nishikawa Tokyo. For more contemporary art, visit Gallery la Ruche or Energy Terrace SunnyGo.
While you’re around, feel free to visit one of the tea houses in the region, called OCHAHOUSE. You’ll love the taste of authentic tea and good company. You should also see Zenpuku-ji Temple, arguably the most famous Buddhist shrine in the district. The temple is known for having 750-year-old ginkgo trees. If you would prefer a more hands-on cultural experience, you should enroll in a local class or workshop. You get to create your own pottery, handcrafts, ikebana (traditional flower arrangement), calligraphies, and more
Azabu Juban's Culinary Scene
From traditional street food stalls to international restaurants, Azabu Juban undoubtedly has diverse culinary offerings. These eateries serve local delicacies, like the famous Azabu Juban natto (fermented soybeans), soba noodles, monjayaki (savory pancake cooked at the table), and taiyaki (fish-shaped cake filled with azuki sweet bean paste).
You’ll find lots of traditional eateries and specialty restaurants in the Azabu Juban. Izakayas are especially popular in the area and serve beer, sake, and other alcoholic drinks alongside fried food. Naniwaya Sohonten is the best place to enjoy taiyaki. If you’re in the mood for miso soup, you should head to MISO Jewelry x Himel. International fusion dishes are available at some of the Michelin-starred restaurants in the district, including Kadowaki, Azabujuban Ozaki, and Itosho.
You can also enjoy traditional Japanese confections, desserts, sweets, and snacks in the area. We recommend Azabu Juban Ichigo Daifuku for strawberry mochi, Amanoya for all kinds of wagashi (Japanese sweets), and Mame Gen for okaki (fried rice crackers). You can also find several trendy cafes and bakeries hidden in the backstreets of Azabu Juban.
Azabu Juban Festival
Azabu Juban Noryo Matsuri is the most popular festival in the district. The festival typically starts at the beginning of the Obon holiday, which falls in mid- or late-August. It takes the form of a two-day weekend event held on Saturday and Sunday. The 2024 dates for the Azabu Juban Matsuri are the 24th and 25th of August.
Azabu Juban Noryo Matsuri has a history spanning over 50 years. During the event, the streets of Azabu Juban take on a lively atmosphere. Local vendors put up food stalls along Zoshiki-dori and Patio-dori, from which they sell all kinds of street food. The event also features traditional dance performances and celebrations of local community spirit. Authorities often block traffic on the main shopping streets from 15:00 to 21:00 on each day of the festival.
Living in Azabu Juban
If you’re considering living in Azabu Juban, it’s important to get a clear picture of what to expect. Azabu Juban is an upscale and laid-back neighborhood. Most of the living areas are close enough to the central location filled with supermarkets and entertainment centers, making residential life more convenient. The district also has a functional education system, as kids can attend the nearby elementary school or high school. Residents used to patronize the local onsen (hot spring) and enjoy black radium water containing some volcanic ash. However, it was closed off in 2008 and is now a car park.
Japanese nationals can stay in touch with the local culture thanks to the presence of traditional shops, temples, and shrines. Expatriate residents also enjoy several perks, including the close proximity to embassies and international restaurants that serve foreign cuisine. One major benefit of living in Azabu Juban, no matter your nationality, is its accessibility to and from central Tokyo.
Transportation and Accessibility
Azabu Juban is so close to other parts of Tokyo that you can access it by bus, train, or even on foot. The district’s main access point is Azabu Juban Station. If you’re looking to balance speed and affordability, you should use the train network. The Toei Oedo Line and Tokyo Metro Namboku Line both connect Azabu Juban Station to other parts of Tokyo. The following are some of the most popular routes to Azabu Juban via train:
-
20-minute overall trip starting from Shinjuku Station. Take the JR Yamanote Line to Yoyogi Station, then switch to Toei Oedo Line and stop at Azabu Juban Station.
-
30-minute overall trip starting from Tokyo Station. Take the JR Chuo Line to Yotsuya Station, then switch to Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and stop at Azabu Juban Station.
-
40-minute train ride from Haneda Airport to Azabu Juban Station.
-
1 hour and 40-minute train ride from Narita Airport to Azabu Juban Station.
Visiting Azabu Juban
The best time to visit Azabu Juban is from June to late August. During that period, you can expect to find more affordable hotel options in the area. If you time your visit well enough, you may even catch the Azabu Juban Noryo Festival. Don’t forget to stop at the Shotengai and explore the shopping and culinary delights in the area. If you’ll be around for a few days, you can take day trips to Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower. We recently published an article that guides you through the Tokyo Tower experience. Be sure to give it a read!
Conclusion:
By blending traditional buildings with the modernity of an urban setting, Azabu Juban holds the mantle of being one of the most lively places to call home in Japan. Not many destinations beautifully encapsulate the essence of Tokyo like the district. If you’re ever in Tokyo, don’t hesitate to visit the neighborhood and see for yourself.
Every box of treats you get from a Bokksu Snack Box Subscription offers the same blend of tradition and modernity. We’ll send you only the best snacks and sweets from Japan every month.
Author Bio
More from the blog
View all
