Soshigaya, Tokyo: Ultraman Town
Soshigaya is a residential area in the Setagaya Ward
It’s most famous for being the capital for “Ultraman”
Quaint like many other Tokyo neighborhoods, it has a unique quirkiness to it
Even though Tokyo is a gigantic city, many of its neighborhoods actually have a quaint feeling to them. Many of these are rarely visited by tourists, despite having so much to offer in terms of authenticity and uniqueness.
One of the more unique Tokyo neighborhoods is Soshigaya, known to be the capital for the famous character “Ultraman”.
How to get there
The main station in Soshigaya is Soshigaya-Okura on the Odakyu line. It’s easily accessible from Shinjuku Station, and is about a 23-minute train ride going west. The main part of the neighborhood is at the North Exit.
About Soshigaya
Located in the desirable Setagaya Ward, Soshigaya a quiet residential neighborhood. What makes it unique is just how much Ultraman is weaved into the town
It began in 1966, when Tsuburaya Productions aired the character’s pilot episode. The company’s head office was located near Soshigaya, and although it has since moved, the neighborhood still celebrates the world-famous creation.
Just like how some trains in Tokyo play a particular chime that pays homage to the location of the train station it’s arriving at, Soshigaya takes things one step further and weaves Ultraman into the neighborhood itself.
Exit Soshigaya-Okura Station’s North Exit and you’ll see a statue of Ultraman. Take a few steps and you’ll hit the main street appropirately named “Ultraman Shotengai”, or Ultraman Street. Look up and you’ll notice that even the street lamps themselves are Ultraman designs.
Housing in Soshigaya
Soshigaya is considered a good place to live as it’s a neighborhood with a number of conveniences. It’s also on the Odakyu Line, which goes directly to Shinjuku Station.
The average rent in Soshigaya is 87,900 JPY (USD $559) per month for a 1K studio while a 1LDK single bedroom apartment goes for 178,100 JPY (USD $1,133) as of June 2024. [J]
Low Key Tone Coffee
A Japanese-style coffee shop for coffee-lovers.
If you like coffee, you’ll be pleased with this place as it has many types of beans for the coffee-obsessed to choose from, as well as brewing equipment.
There’s the shop itself with a small counter area as well as a coffee stand for easy takeout next door.
Curry Nankai
If you’re visiting Soshigaya, you’re probably not looking for a large chain restaurant. Curry-no-nankai, or Curry Nankai is a hole-in-the-wall shop located right on Soshigaya Ave, better known as “Ultraman Street”.
Run by an older couple, this small shop uses a small cash-only ticket machine, and just feels like how a Japanese curry shop should be.
They have curry with various meats like beef, pork, chicken, ground meat, and more, and the overall retro vibe matches the feeling of the neighborhood.
Couki
One of my favorite tan tan ramen spots in Tokyo.
While I haven’t eaten at this Couki location, the shop makes delicious bowls packed with spices and flavors. The texture in each bite and slurp are hard to match, and these bowls compete with the best out there.
The Soshigaya location is near the South Exit of Soshigaya-Okura Station, right off of Ultraman Street. Really convenient, Couki will be the perfect meal to top off your experience in the neighborhood.
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