Monday, March 22, 2010

Jiyugaoka



Another favourite suburb on the Tokyu Toyoko Line (which is fast becoming my new favourite train line after the JR Yamanote-sen) is Jiyugaoka.

I met here recently with Hiki-chan of Jollygoo blog who was kind enough to take me on a wonderful zakka and craft store tour of this sweet little town. Hiki-chan later emailed me personalised 'Hello Sandwich Jiyugaoka Zakka Tour' map pin pointing all of the shops we visited! Ooo what a sweetheart she is! (ありがとう ひきーちゃん!)

To live in Jiyugaoka, as my friend Martin puts it, you have to be 40+, have a small dog, and like French style! There are also some other areas of Jiyugaoka that cater for a younger market. Plus the zakka shops and cafes here are to die for!





CAFE IKANIKA
6-40-7 Todoroki Setagaya-ku

My favourite part of the Hiki-chan / Hello Sandwich special tour was a delicious lunch at one of Hiki-chan's favourite Tokyo cafes. Ikanika cafe is owned by a lovely husband and wife team and is such a delightful option for lunch. Sweet soft music, Japanese natural style interior, and delicious, beautifully presented teishoku lunch sets. You can see more photos of Ikanika taken by Hiki-chan and her amazing camera here.





Ikanika cafe dry their vegetables outside by sunlight every day.








Joel does this look familiar?

I would really recommend stopping by Jiyugaoka if you are in the area!

Love Love
Hello Sando
xxx

16 comments:

  1. Hello! Your blog is so inspiring and beautiful! I am going to Toyonaka in Osaka this summer for a month and I hope to find cute places and things there! Have you ever been there? :) Nice to meet you~!

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  2. yum those lunch sets look ridiculously good!

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  3. Interesting! I haven't ventured there. Wow, one can be creative even with signboards one puts outside the shop!

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  4. Ah my thigh!! haha!
    Well how your friend puts it to live in Jiyugaoka is kind of true, the recent image of Jiyugaoka they are trying to make. But I don't really like what comes to Jiyugaoka these days, what have been around for a long time are the good stuff. Of course ikanika is one of the best around here though!!!!!

    I now have to smile every time I go past that cute window you took in the first photo thinking "ah hello sando i miss you" :)

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  5. おいしいそう!いきたい!!

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  6. Fun! I love Jiyugaoka, which I found only after several trips to Tokyo!

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  7. I went to Jiyugaoka twice but never did visit Ikanika. Is the owner a flower stylist? I seem to remember the cafe name and her being featured in magazines. It looks perfect. I'll have to visit next time, thanks to you and hiki!

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  8. Thank you for sharing. It all looks so beautiful and inspiring.

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  9. waou!!!! im jealous!!!! it looks so yummy!
    lovely to meet HIKI !! she's great!

    love
    gini

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  10. what a splendid blog! reminde me movie 'the ramen girl' with brittani murphy. love japanese culture and waby-saby philosophy

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  11. Such a nice set of photos. The food looks healthy and authentically Japanese. I'd love to visit this cafe!

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  12. Lovely photos. I love Jiyugaoka too.

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  13. thanks for your blog, I am coming to Tokyo soon and will definitely check the area out

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