Copyright © 2024 Tokyo in Pics | Powered by Tokyo in Pics
Todoroki Valley: A photo guide
Todoroki Valley is a quick escape from the Tokyo rat race. Your energy won’t be drained from it. Some call it the city’s best-kept secret—a refreshing oasis only twenty minutes from Shibuya. It offers a walk along a peaceful river, with shaded paths, sounds of nature, and bursts of greenery. Photogenic Buddhist icons, a waterfall, and a serene bamboo grove await your camera. Recharge, shoot, and savor the quieter life.
Compare that with Mount Takao, another popular destination in Tokyo. It offers excellent mountain views, especially of Fuji. But getting there will take about an hour. Then you’ll need to hike (or take a cable car) to the top of the mountain with 1000s of other people. That mightn’t do anything to refresh your mental batteries. You leave exhausted.
So the next best thing is Setagaya ward’s Todoroki Valley. To be honest, I wouldn’t call it an actual valley. Well, if it is, it is a tiny one. It isn’t very deep. You can see houses a few tens of meters away.
The entrance is only a two-minute walk from the station. Be careful on your way down. They are a little steep. Once down, you’ll notice the quietness quickly. The trees block out many of the outside noises. And when I say “quietness,” maybe I exaggerate a little. There are some bridges with roads over Todoroki, You will hear some traffic, but it isn’t so bad. Muted might be a better expression.
Along the valley floor, you walk along the Yazawa River. The trees and water will give you lots of negative ions to enjoy the 1.2-kilometer walk. That should put a spark back in you.
The river is small. After a rain, though, it can get noisy as water rushes through. If you have a tripod, it’s a good spot for long-exposure photographs.
Towards the valley’s end is a waterfall running down a small cliff. Monks use it for ascetic training. Next to it is a shrine and several Buddhist statues. It is a photogenic place! Many photos can be made here.
The rest of the walk along Todoroki is peaceful and quiet. You’ll see locals there for walks and when they need to go to the station. Luckily, it’s rarely crowded. If you need further mental recharging, have a cup of tea at the cafe. You could also wander through the bamboo grove or Japanese garden.
A temple is up a steep staircase at the valley’s far end. This one is Todoroki Fudoson, with a history dating back to the Heian period. Poke around and see what you can find with your camera. Even the dragon head water spouts at washbasins are interesting.
One more thing. There are some trails up the side of the valley. Climb up to get some height to look over the valley floor. Also, near the top, you’ll find tombs dating between the late Kofun and Nara periods.
What can you photograph in the valley?
- Lots of Buddhist icons (statues etc.)
- A temple
- A river
- Flowers
- Ancient burial sites
- Bamboo grove
- Japanese garden
Photo tips
- Todoroki can be pretty dark when the sun is near or under the wall. You might need high ISOs, especially early or late in the day.
- The river can be good for long exposures, so take a tripod and neutral density filter.
- You might need a flash or other light source to shoot the flowers at the valley’s base.
- Autumn might be the best time to visit due to the beautiful leaves.
Where is Todoroki valley?
Address: 1-22-26 Todoroki, Setagaya City, Tokyo
Click here to see it on Google Maps:
Closest train station:
Todoroki on the Oimachi Line. The valley is just over the road from the station.
Opening hours
It’s open twenty-four hours a day, but I bet it’d be pitch black in Todoroki Valley at night!
Admission costs
None
Bonus tips!
- You’re not allowed to have picnic lunches in the valley. But there is a garden area where you can eat (marked on the map). There is also a small café next to the river.
- Wear some comfortable shoes, as the paths can be muddy.
- There are two cafes/snack bars. One is near the waterfall, and the other is next to Todoroki Fudo Temple.
- In summer, there are lots of mosquitoes. Make sure to take your insect repellant.
Other photo spots in the area
Conclusion
I like Todoroki Valley, even in the warmer months, as it is a little cooler than anywhere else in Tokyo. And it offers something different. The other good thing is that it isn’t far, roughly twenty minutes from Shibuya. The only negatives I could give are that the valley is short. Still, it’s a good Tokyo photo spot.
Let’s not forget the number one reason why people go to Todoroki. It’s a nice walk that puts some power back in your mental batteries. You’ll leave feeling ready to tackle the city again. Leave questions and comments below.
For more walking articles, look at:
External related websites:
- Todoroki Valley (Official Japanese website)