“Fashion terrorist!” someone shouts. That’s not something you hear every day here in Udagawacho. But, sometimes Udagawacho is just that kind of place.
Udagawacho is a district in Shibuya Tokyo Japan. It’s a place with a surprisingly interesting story. The area we are standing in has a population of just under 800 people. Its postal code is 150-0042 if you want to send a letter.
Let’s take a trip back in time. The name Udagawacho may come from Udagawa Izumi no Kami Nagakiyo. He was a retainer of the Hojo clan who had his estate in this area. In 1590 Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated the Hojo in Odawara. Hojo Ujimasa killed himself. Later an Udagawa became the head man of a district named after him in Edo.
The Udagawa River cannot be seen from this district anymore. It is now a culvert. It used to be a small shopping district. Recently many high-rise buildings were erected here. The Udagawa River is a tributary of the Shibuya River. It flowed into the Shibuyagawa near Shibuya station.
There’s a story of a themed bar. It’s called The Lockup. It has a prison concept with a haunted theme. The bar is located at 33-1 Udagawacho. Customers can be arrested and led to a cell. Waiters and waitresses wear cell outfits. Monsters roam about. They spray mist at the customers. It is like a haunted house.
If you are feeling hungry you might want to grab some Ramen. Ramen Gyumon Halal Wagyu is located at 24-6 Udagawacho. It is halal so it is safe for Muslims to eat. The restaurant is located below street level. You need to go down the stairs to access it. The Wagyu White Broth Ramen is a popular dish.
The poet and painter Yumeji Takehisa lived in Udagawacho from 1921 to 1923. A cultural person indeed lived here.
So as you explore Udagawacho remember its history. From the Udagawa River flowing nearby to the modern high-rises. Udagawacho is a place where the past and present meet. This small district has its own story to tell.