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Trains going under and over each other at Ochanomizu Station in Tokyo Japan by Fg2 (CC0 1.0)

 

About

Kanda is a city district in Tokyo which is just north of Tokyo Station. Ochanomizu is one of the many stations within the Kanda Area which is considered the "center" of Kanda (See map below). The Kanda Area is typically not visited by tourists but represents a more "normal" Tokyo district with a few universities and some semi-famous shrines and temples. Kanda has traditionally been known to be the academic center of Tokyo, therefore there are lots of college aged and younger people.

Ochanomizu can be reached easily from the Shinjuku or Tokyo sides by riding the Chuuo Line (Yellow) Train. The station always seems to be under contruction for this or that but no need to get flustered, just take your time, read the English signs and find your way out onto the streets. Although Kanda is mostly known for it's many Universities and Student population, there are also quite a few musical instrument shops. A river runs along the Chuuo Line tracks and right by Ochanomizu Station along with other train lines that criss-cross above the river. Cross one of the many nearbye bridges to get a nice "Megatropolis" view.

If you are a tourist and would like to get slightly off the beaten path and experience some regular Tokyo life, Kanda offers some interesting sightseeing. There are also many cafe's that line the streets so take a walk around and do some people watching. Below the map is a list of some of the more popular attractions around Kanda.

Areas of Interest in the Kanda and Ochanomizu area

Yushima Seido Temple is a Confucian Temple (Although Neo-Confucianism was the principal philosophy during the Tokugawa Shogunate, there are not many around) near Ocha No Mizu. The original temple was constructed in 1630 in Ueno Park (called Shinobi Ga Oka at that time) by Hayashi Razan, a neo-Confucian scholar... see more details

Yushima Tenjin Shrine is a Shinto Shrine devoted to the God of Learning, Tenjin. So, you can imagine that lots of students, especially from the University of Tokyo, frequent the site especially when they are hoping to pass entrance exams in April... see more details

Kanda Myojin Shrine has a history spanning over 1,200 years. The structure itself has been rebuilt many times, destroyed by fires and earthquakes, but is a very important Shinto shrine because even Tokugawa Ieyasu paid his respects here. It is said the original shrine was built in 730 near the current Otemachi district... see more details

Nikolai Do, Saint Nicolai Church or Holy Resurrection Cathedral, is a Japanese Orhodox Church... an autonomous church within the Orhodox Church under the Russian Orhodox Church... yeah, complicated but nevertheless, a "Christian" building of worship. This church was founded in 1891 by St. Nicholas of Japan, a Russian Orthodox saint... see more details

Ochanomizu Music Instrument Avenue Just south of Ochanomizu station you will find a street filled with music intrument shops. New and Used instruments of all types can be found at shops along this street. Electronics, microphones, amps, etc. can also be found here.

Jimbocho Book Town Maybe not a destination for the casual tourist (because 98% of the books are in Japanese) but an interesting area that has a large concentration of new and used books. There are also many cafe's where you can enjoy a coffee after buying your new book.

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Ochanomizu

Kanda
Chiyoda, Tokyo Japan

Google Map

 

Hotels & Lodging

Recommended

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Kanda and Ochanomizu.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: This is a Area, therefore each establishment has it's own hours but generally shops in Japan generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. while restaurants are generally open until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m.

Cost: Each establishment's cost is different.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by contacting the attraction before visiting.