CUTE GOODS LOCAL GUIDE (Kami-Igusa to Nishi-Ogikubo)

A Girl’s Guide to Walking and Shopping
[updated Decemember 2020]

About 10 minutes from Seibu Shinjuku Station, you can reach some excellent suburban atmosphere in Tokyo. Nostalgic and calm yet energetic, Kami-Igusa is the starting point on this trip, taking you to the antique charm of Nishi-Ogikubo. If you enjoy walking to get a first-hand look at local neighbourhoods while finding unique trinkets with some tasty pit stops, then this guide is for you!

Walking from Kami-Igusa to Nishi-Ogikubo, enjoy the local atmosphere, with interesting shops and cafes. By following this itinerary, you can participate in something different from the experience you get at the usual tourist destination. “Traveling like a local” is a trend of our generation. Experience this area as if it were your own neighbourhood!

Gundam Statue

Putting Kami-Igusa on the Map

The walk starts at this statue from the popular anime, “Mobile Suit Gundam”. The reason why this is here is because Kami-Igusa is the home of Sunrise Inc., the studio that brought the world famous animation works such as Gundam and Cowboy Bebop. The statue was added here in 2008 to commemorate the birthplace of the Gundam series. Even the train’s departure melody (different at each station) is a Gundam theme song! This statue also serves as another reminder that about 20% of all Animation Studios in Japan are right here in Suginami-ward.

Address:
3 Chome-32-1 Kamiigusa, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0023
Distance from Station:
Directly in front of Seibu Kami-Igusa Station's South Exit

Igusa Wani-En

Chomp on this Granola

Our next destination was a few steps off the main road, a unique granola and used-book shop. Although “Wani-En” means “crocodile park”, there are no crocodiles here! The owner makes and sells granola— but this probably isn’t the granola you are used to. There are four scrumptious flavors available year-round: strawberry, coffee, rum brown sugar, and lemon cheese. These granolas go well not only with yoghurt, milk and soy milk, but also adding them to fresh juice or ice cream is quite tasty, and eating the granola as-is also makes a great snack. You can even buy their granola on the internet. The shop embraces a used bookstore so you can find a good collection of picture books, giving Wani-En a relaxing atmosphere.

Price:

Granola from around ¥540
Address:
2 Chome-38-10 Kamiigusa, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0023
Distance from Station:
3 minutes on foot from Seibu Kami-Igusa Station
Phone:
080-3736-5165 (Japanese only)
Open:
Weekdays 11:00am - 7:00pm, Weekends/Holidays 11:00am - 5:00pm
Website:
https://igusawanien.thebase.in/ (external link)
Communication:
Staff speak Japanese only.
  • no-smoking

Genro

Stamps, Stationery, and more

This stationery and stamp shop is popular as some people come to Kami-Igusa just to visit Genro. It is even popular among customers from abroad, like from France and Switzerland. The numerous stamps and paper items here are charming-- Japanese motif stamps started as a hobby, designed by the owner, Mr Chiba. There were 48 choices in the beginning, but now there are approximately 200 variations! Stickers are also on sale.

At the end of the year, customers also come here to get materials for making New Year’s greeting cards, because a different New Year’s stamp design is made every year. These days people rely on communication over the internet and on social media, so it’s nice to write an artistic letter sometimes. It’s such a relaxing atmosphere, even though it is only 3 minutes from Kami-Igusa Station.

Price:

Stamps from around ¥500
Address:
2 Chome-38-11 Kamiigusa, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0023
Distance from Station:
3 minutes on foot from Seibu Kami-Igusa Station
Phone:
03-5303-5022 (Japanese only)
Open:
12:00pm – 5:00pm, Closed on Public Holidays
Website:
http://www.genro.co.jp/ (external link)
Communication:
Staff speak Japanese only.
  • no-smoking

Neighborhood Walking Path

This Green is for Pedestrians Only

You could walk on the roads, but it almost feels like this green walking path is there just for this tour. Green walking paths like this one were created using the waterway routes of the past. There used to be many in Suginami, especially in Kami-Igusa. Walking here is a really nice way to get from the previous shops to lead you to what's ahead on the tour, and it's safe and more peaceful because there are no cars. There is also a small park along the path where you can spend a relaxing time and forget you are in Tokyo.

Address:
2-Chōme-32 Kamiigusa to 3-Chōme-13 Kamiigusa, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0023
Distance from Station:
Starting point 5 minutes on foot from Seibu Kami-Igusa Station

Local Farm Stand

A Vegetable Vending Machine?

Maybe you have heard that in Japan there is a vending machine for everything-- well, here is the proof! Not an actual vending machine per se, but, the local farmer fills these lockers with fresh vegetables from his crop, so that anyone can buy them at anytime for 100 yen! (Usually until 5pm, while supplies last) International visitors are very surprised when they see this.

Price:

¥100
Address:
4 Chome-16 Imagawa, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0035
Distance from Station:
15 minutes on foot from Seibu Kami-Igusa Station, 20 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station
Open:
Usually closes by 5:00pm
  • no-credit-card

Cotito Flowers & Sweets

Too Pretty to Eat?

Cotito has become a well-known place in Nishi-Ogikubo as a modern cafe and an amazing flower shop. Best of all, they combine these two worlds! The flower sablé, with an edible flower on the top, is an extremely popular item here as the shortbread is not too sweet, and also because it is made without eggs or dairy products. Thus these sablé cookies make great gifts for anyone. Baked rare cheesecake is another famous item that uses domestic cheese. Next door to the flower shop is the cafe. The modern interior and tasty cafe menu make for a marvelous way to spend the afternoon.

Address:
5 Chome-26-18 Nishiogikita, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0042
Distance from Station:
11 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station
Phone:
03-6753-2395 (Japanese only)
Open:
Weekdays 11:00am - 6:00pm, Weekends 11:00am - 7:00pm
Website:
http://www.cotito.jp/ (external link)
Communication:
Staff speak Japanese only.
  • no-smoking

Loupe

Enjoy Treasure Hunting at this Variety Shop

At this point on the walk we have crossed the Zenpukuji River, and now we are on the home stretch, about 6 minutes from Nishi-Ogikubo Station. Yet, this is where some of the best things are waiting. The lure of Loupe can be found looking through the glass a bit in the inner part of the building where it is located, pulling you in further. Loupe, named after the small magnifying glass used by jewelers, opened in 2006 and is full of sparkling items where you will simply enjoy treasure hunting. There are daily necessities as well, but the real excitement comes from the stock of antique beads, buttons, folk toys, clothing and more. According to the owner, "Loupe carries items for use or for decoration, accessories with a theme of adding accent to the everyday." They also have exhibitions at Loupe, so this is a place to keep your sights on when in the area.

Price:

Glass items from around ¥500
Address:
3 Chome-45-8 Nishiogikita, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0042
Distance from Station:
6 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station
Phone:
03-3397-1121 (Japanese only)
Open:
12:00pm - 7:00pm, Closed on Tuesdays and Sundays
Communication:
Staff speak Japanese only.
  • no-smoking

Atelier 12 Bis

European Tastes and Craftmanship

This shop was opened by a French designer in July 2019. You can find beautiful and chic antique accessories, goods made from antique buttons, and knitting goods. The antique accessories and buttons were bought up from Europe. You can order original accessories made by buttons after consulting with the owner-designer. He is friendly and happy to hear your request. Regarding knitting products, the colours are dazzling and good to cheer you up when you need more colour in your life. Sometimes the owner also holds knitting workshops. He commented that this area is such a nice neighbourhood with interesting shops and friendly residents. I have to say, I must agree! An online shop is also available.

Price:

Earrings from around ¥3,600
Address:
2 Chome-27-9 Nishiogikita, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0042
Distance from Station:
5 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station
Phone:
03-5303-9544
Open:
10:30am – 7:30pm, Closed on Tuesday
Website:
https://www.atelier12bis.com/ (external link)
Communication:
Owner speaks Japanese, French, and English.
  • no-smoking

Café Fuet

Too Cute to Drink?

At this cozy café a cute teddy bear welcomes you! The mascot teddy bear is a sort of symbol of not only this café, but also the street it is on. Everything on the lunch menu here is tasty and voluminous. After lunch hours during cafe time, you can enjoy mouth-watering sweets like crème brûlée at an affordable price. Everyone visiting Café Fuet tends to order the "Fuet Cafe Latte" which just might be too cute to drink. As you may have guessed, it features latte art of the mascot teddy. The dinner menu is also impressive. While there are a large number of alcohol choices, you can also enjoy a precious cup of tea.

The relaxed atmosphere makes the cafe popular from children to the elderly, and it really was the perfect last stop on this walking trip through the neighbourhood. We hope you enjoy it too!

Price:

Lunch from ¥850, Cake around ¥700
Address:
3 Chome-42-13 Nishiogikita, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0042
Distance from Station:
5 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station
Phone:
03-3397-3336 (Japanese only)
Open:
11:00am – 8:00pm, Closed on Thursday
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/CafeFuet (external link)
Communication:
Staff speak Japanese only.
  • no-smoking
  • family-friendly