Once,a magistrate's office (daikansho) was owned the area, so that it was named Daikanyama at the beginning of Edo period, because of its simple reason.
Now, Daikanyama is one of the very popular places to visit on the weekend of its hidden bars, highly sensitive boutiques and restaurants among all generation.
One afternoon under the yellowish green statue on Yawata-Dori, we began our exploration in Daikanyama.
First, we found a new Italian food and wine center called Eataly. Having its origin in Torino in Italy, the newly opened big Italian market offers variety of fresh pastas, breads, cheese, deli and of course wines. Since the restaurant, bar, and outside café are also available, it was even busier at lunch time.
Feeling so hungry after looking at delicious Italian food, we went look for a place for lunch and found a Mexican restaurant called La Cacita at the corner of Castle Street. Their appetizing lunch satisfied our stomach and now we are ready for the rest of Daikanyama exploration!
After a minutes walk from the Mexican restaurant, there we reached Castle street. On the other side of Castle mansion Daikanyama, there was a second hand shop called Fairytale where you can find a bargain out of variety of women's clothes, accessories and shoes. Walking pass the same street, we also found many vintage stores with European ambience.
After we shopped at the several vintage stores, we felt a sweet smell coming from not too far away and soon found Kurotai on the right. As many people were waiting to taste their taiyaki, we found out that the taiyaki bakery has been one of Daikanyama's must-visit places and has a long queue on the weekend.
We then decided to walk back Castle Street to wonder around Komazawa-Dori. We saw several small boutiques and cafes, and a shop called Zappady-Do caught our eyes. The store has a lot of cool stuff from garden chairs to kitchen accessories. When you walk into the shop, you would feel like you want to buy everything around!
After shopping some stuff at Zappady-Do, we turned right and walked along Kyu Yamate-Dori. There was a shop called Outlet where they sell foreign inexpensive goods. At the basement of the same building, a café called Unice welcomes everyone including your pets.
Walking up the Kyu Yamate-Dori, there is a well-known slope called Mekirizaka which leads to Kyu Asakura ke juutaku. The old mansion has been designated as an important cultural property and we could even see the inside of the house. Since their Japanese garden have a lot of Japanese maple trees, we decided to come back a few weeks later when they will have changed their color to beautiful autumn red and yellow.
After one block from Kyu Asakura ke juutaku on the Kyu Yamate-Dori, there is a tiny shrine called Sarugaku-tsuka. Like a secret place, the shrine stands covered with many trees and bamboos.
A famous restaurant 'Michelangelo' is on the same street and its classical ambience was absolutely perfect to wrap up our Daikanyama exploration. We just wished that we would have dressed a bit nicer, though.
