arakawa & kita

Yesterday, we went to check out the other half of the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram line)...if you missed the previous adventure (Oji to Waseda) we went on before.

Minowabashi is the east end of the line.

We realized they have a 1 day pass (400 yen for adults), so we decided to get it for this adventure.

Loved the street art nearby

Buy the 1 day pass from the teeny kiosk near the Minowabashi station.

Show the pass to the driver as you get onto the street car

Our first stop was Higashiogu 3chome...

To look for Suzuki Seiya's MLB manhole cover, which was located in front of Soma Kogyo, a metal factory

(The artwork was done by Yu Suda.)

The factory was closed, but we talked story for a bit with another couple who had gone to see Sugano Tomoyuki's manhole cover

We hope to check out the two others in Kanagawa Prefecture soon!

Lunch was at Donpey, a tonkatsu shop...was featured in "Kodoku no gurume" ("Solitary Gourmet) season 3, episode 10

Also if you have watched "Shinya Shokudo" ("Midnight Diner"), the stripper, played by Ando Tamae, this is where she grew up and apparently her brother runs the tonkatsu shop

The tonkatsu comes with a housemade demi glace sauce poured on top, if you want the sauce on the side you need to tell them when you order.

Satoshi had the full sized teishoku while Kat had the half size...total 2250 yen (tax included)

I was surprised that the breading of the tonkatsu was still crisp even with all that sauce on it.

The demi glace sauce seemed to be tomato based and not too rich

The pork was juicy and super tender.

Kat had mugi gohan (barley rice) while Satoshi had white rice

Kat didn't have miso soup while Satoshi did.

The food comes out quite quickly and we were glad we got to try this place.

Across from the Miyanomae station, is the Ogu Hachiman Shrine

At the Arakawa Shako Mae station, there is a tiny area with these two retro street cars

The retro street cars are right next to the "garage" for the street cars that are running on the Toden Arakawa Line

From there we went to Oji and checked out Meijido

I love this bakery and have to come whenever I am in the area.

Went a little krazy since it has been awhile...we got okara doughnuts, satsuma imo (sweet potato) sesame bread, apple pie, chicken katsu sandwich, mentaiko sandwich, chocolate danish and milk france…1920 yen (tax included)

As we walked to JR Oji station, we stumbled upon a replica of the Nagasaki Peace Statue

Apparently the people who live in this part of Tokyo want to strive for peace in the world so they asked Kitamura Seibo, the sculptor who made the Nagasaki Peace Statue (and also an honorary citizen of this area of Tokyo) to make a replica for their ward.

It was blazing hot and humid but we were glad we got to see and do all that we did.

Donpey

2-2-5 Nishiogu

Arakawa, Tokyo

Closed Sundays

Hours: 11:00-13:30 (lunch), 17:30-20:30 (dinner)

*cash only