Ushigome Kagurazaka

Tsuchiya Koitsu

Ushigome / Kagurazaka was the name for the stretch of land in the area of the present day Kagurazaka. The name of the area originates from the fact that there used to be an ushi (cow) ranch here. Ushigome-mon Gate was located at the current position of the west exit of JR Iidabashi Station, and the saka (hill) which proceeds northwest from there is Kagurazaka.

Kagurazaka was so named because kagura (sacred music and dancing performed at shrines) was performed at the Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine, Ichigaya Hachiman Shrine and Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine which were in the area. It is said that long ago it was also called Agebazaka. Heading north along the moat from the Ushigome-mon Gate at the point where the present day Sotobori Street and Meijidori Street intersect, there used to be a floodgate, and the area was also called "Ushigome dondon" because of the sounds of water flowing through the floodgate.