Consider walking through Koenji’s vibrant streets. Here stands Koenji Junior High School. It is a place where young minds grow. The school is in the Suginami ward. This area is west of Shinjuku.
Koenji’s name comes from the old temples nearby. The area is mostly residential. It offers easy access to Shinjuku and Tokyo stations. Koenji avoided the 1980s building boom. Many houses and shops here are small. They show Japan’s pre-boom character.
The station area is now a hub. Small restaurants and live music venues thrive here. Koenji is known for its young people. It is a center for suburban underground culture. You can find used record and clothing shops here.
In 2006 Japan’s PSE law changed. It restricted the sale of older electronics. Koenji was the site of a protest. This was due to its retro culture. Many shops sell used equipment here.
Before the war, Koenji was different. The area around Koenji Temple was all called Koenji. Now, the station divides it into north and south.
Mabashi used to be a town nearby. It sat between Koenji and Asagaya. Mabashi is now part of Koenji. Some schools and shrines still use the Mabashi name.
After Harajuku and Shimokitazawa, Koenji is famous. It is the best area in Tokyo for used clothing. Most stores are south of the JR station. They cluster around Look Shotengai.
The PAL shopping arcade is also south of the station. It has many food, clothing and discount shops. North of the station are two shopping streets. These streets offer used record shops, restaurants and cafes. West of the station are yakitori restaurants and bars. You can find them north, south and under the tracks. The station was updated in 2006. Hotel Mets opened at the north entrance in 2007.
Several supermarkets are in Koenji. These include Queen’s Isetan near Shin-Koenji Station. Dozens of yakitori restaurants are here. You can also find izakaya and ramen noodle restaurants.
Every August, Koenji hosts the Awa Odori festival. This festival is a major tourist draw. It is the second largest Awa Dance Festival in Japan. About 188 groups participate. They bring 1.2 million visitors.
The Awa Odori festival began in Tokushima. Koenji adopted it after the war. Groups dance and play music. They move through the streets near Koenji Station.
Several parks dot the area. These include Sanshi-no-mori and Mabashi Koen. Wadabori Koen is best for cherry blossoms. It is also a great place for a walk.
You can reach Koenji by train. Take the JR Chuo-Sobu Line to Koenji Station. Or, use the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. Get off at Shin-Koenji or Higashi-Koenji Station. Major roads also pass through Koenji. These include Waseda Dori and Ome Kaido.
Koenji Gakuen is a combined elementary and junior high school. It is part of the Suginami City Board of Education. Now, Koenji Junior High School stands as more than just a school. It’s a cornerstone of a community. It reflects Koenji’s unique blend of history, culture, and youthful energy.