Ever hear of a town named after a family crest? Kikuicho in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has just such a story. This primarily residential area, nestled among eight other Shinjuku districts, boasts a unique history. Kikuicho’s name, meaning “chrysanthemum well,” comes from the family crest of Natsume Naokatsu, who named the area in April 1869. His son, the famous author Natsume Soseki, even wrote about it in his work “Inside My Glass Doors.” He recounted the story of how his father, inspired by their family crest of a chrysanthemum in a well girder, chose this poetic name.
Kikuicho is more than just a namesake, though. It’s a vibrant neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and temples lining Natsumezaka-dori, its main thoroughfare. You can find a piece of literary history here too, at the Natsume Soseki Birthplace Monument. The area also holds the Kikuicho War Victims Memorial Kannon Statue, a somber reminder of the past. If you’re interested in education, Kikuicho is home to Ushigome Daini Junior High School and even a campus of the prestigious Waseda University.
Now, for a bit of a quirk. Kikuicho still uses the older chiban addressing system based on lot numbers. This means no chome divisions like in other modern Japanese addresses. Interestingly, because of land subdivisions over time, multiple buildings can share the same lot number. So, if you’re sending a postcard from Kikuicho, double-check that address! As of October 2024, almost 2,000 people call Kikuicho home. It’s a close-knit community with a rich history and a unique charm.