Natsume-saka tōri, Sloping road in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Natsume-zaka-dori is a sloping road in the northeastern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. It connects Babashita-cho intersection to the north with Wakamatsu-cho intersection to the south, climbing gently between Waseda Street at the lower end and Okubo Street at the upper end.
The road takes its name from the Natsume family, who lived in this area before the neighborhood developed in the 19th century. Natsume Soseki later mentioned it in his writings, which helped keep the name alive over time.
The street takes its name from the Natsume family, as Natsume Soseki's childhood home once stood along this slope. In one of his essays, the writer mentioned that his father had a particular fondness for this climb.
The slope is easy to walk and the incline is moderate, but comfortable shoes are a good idea. A bus stop sits about halfway up, and both Waseda and Wakamatsu-Kawada stations are within walking distance.
Shinjuku ward placed a commemorative marker at the foot of the street to honor its connection to the Natsume family. Reading it reveals that the name was not given by the writer himself but traces back to his father.
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