Must go places in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa: Tokyo’s Hidden Gem

Kiyosumi-Shirakawa (清澄白川) is well known a place where Blue Bottle Coffee has opened in Japan for the first time. Aside from that, there are many places that you will agree find worth visiting. If you are a frequent traveler in Japan, you might want to visit here. I’m going to suggest a half-day walking route. Let’s get started! 

Where is Kiyosumi-Shirakawa?

It is located in Koto-ku (江東区), Tokyo. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station is in both Hanzo-Mon Line (半蔵門線) and Oedo Line (大江戸線), so pretty easy to get there.

Shopping Experience 

https://www.kcf.or.jp/fukagawa/access

POTPOURRI KIYOSUMI SHIRAKAWA (POTPOURRI 清澄白川)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nA9ySkAXwEJD8onN8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Have an Ultimate Hamburger 

After walking around Kiyosumi-Shiryokan Street, you might feel hungry. I’m on the way to an art museum, and I find a nice hamburger shop. It’s called 3,000 DAYS BURGER, an owner chef spent 3,000 days launching his original recipe. It lives up to the hype. 

https://www.instagram.com/3000daysburger?igsh=MXIyMXphYWEyNGJoMw==

3000日かけて完成した極上ハンバーガー清澄白河本店 Field

Art and Culture 

Across the street from the hamburger restaurant, you can see The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT). If you like modern art and culture, you must visit here. Please note that the exhibitions vary depending on the season, so you need to check the information in advance. 

https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/en

Hidden Beer Stand

There is a hidden place. When you find a metal barrel, go straight to the forward. They offer a cozy atmosphere and a good IPA beer. 

Folkways Brewing 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FqFxMdd9YyzshiqJA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
https://www.instagram.com/folkwaysbrewing?igsh=MXE0emptdzgwZXNtdg==

Kiyosumi Garden (清澄庭園)

After sipping a nice beer, we’re heading to Kiyosumi Garden (清澄庭園). The garden was originally owned by a rich businessman in the Edo era. And then, Yataro Iwasaki, who is the later founder of Mitsubishi Group, bought this garden in 1878 to entertain his employees and to welcome his guests. Admission is 150 JPY per adult. All through the year, you can appreciate the variety of types of extravagant gardens, like which is known as the Daimyo Gardens (大名庭園). The daimyo (大名) is a powerful authority, like a governor, in each region in the Edo era. If you don’t like complicated history, it’s OK. Walking around the garden puts you at ease. 

https://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCTMPA/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/kiyosumi/index.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XJSID=0

Coffee Culture 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRaAXK2UkmxjkmHi9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

After walking around the garden, what is about coffee break? Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is home to coffee culture. Since it is located on canals and rivers, it is suitable for roasting coffee beans to emit the roasted smog into the atmosphere. Now, coffee lovers visit here every weekend. You may have to wait in line to drink a cup of coffee. 

Notable other coffee shops are below.

Arise Coffee Roasters 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/31eCi8Vq6oRF6arn7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Allpress Espresso Tokyo Roastery and Cafe 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/S2CChtYoLexWSBkC9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Fukadaso Cafe
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rcq1vBM5CT1iDN9Y9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Rikashitsu jyoryusho (理科室蒸留所)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7zNZa1ab7kKtwgFd9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Oh, it’s getting dark, time to go home. Before that, why don’t you grab one more beer? I know a good place. 

CLANN BY THE RIVER 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8WWzD5yAGSXgKPzUA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

How was that? Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is the best destination of a half-day trip because you can enjoy art, culture, nature, coffee, and beer without taking the time to travel from downtown, Tokyo. Plus, it is a vibrant city that has mixed traditional architecture and modern design. There are many photography spots and Instagram-worthy locations. The walking route is around the station, so it’s convenient to go. Thanks for taking the time to read my article to the end. See you in my next article soon!