Gyōnin zaka, Sloping road in Meguro, Tokyo
Gyōnin zaka is a steep and narrow sloping road in the Shimo-Meguro area of Meguro Ward, descending from near Meguro Station toward the river valley below. The slope is short but noticeably sharp, with small houses and occasional shops lining both sides of the road.
The road takes its name from Buddhist monks called gyōnin who came from Yamagata Prefecture and built a hall of worship in this neighborhood. Halfway down the slope stands the Daienji temple, which became associated with a major fire that devastated Edo in 1772.
The name of the slope comes from Buddhist ascetics who once lived and practiced nearby, shaping the character of the street. Walking down today, you can still spot small shrines and carefully tended doorstep gardens that show how daily life and faith remain closely linked here.
The road is easy to reach from Meguro Station, which is very close by. The incline is noticeable, so wear comfortable shoes, especially if the surface is wet after rain.
The artist Utagawa Hiroshige II captured the slope in an old woodblock print, showing it was already a recognizable part of the city's landscape in the 19th century. The Daienji temple partway down holds more than 500 small arhat statues, each carved as a prayer for those who died in the 1772 fire.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
