Sugamo Station: Which Exit for Jizo-dori, Togenuki Jizo & Toei Mita Line?

Sugamo Station is on Tokyo’s JR Yamanote Line, between Otsuka and Komagome Stations.

It is a convenient starting point for visiting Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street, Togenuki Jizo Koganji Temple and the traditional streets of northern Tokyo.

But which exit should you use?

JR Sugamo Station has one main ticket gate and several street exits, while the Toei Mita Line has numbered exits A1 to A4.

This guide explains the differences and helps you reach your destination without unnecessary walking.

1. Quick Answer: Which Exit Should You Use?

Destination	Recommended Exit
Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street	JR Front Exit / Toei A3
Togenuki Jizo Koganji Temple	JR Front Exit / Toei A3
JR Yamanote Line	Follow JR station signs
Toei Mita Line	Follow signs for Mita Line (I15)
Somei Cemetery	JR North Exit area / Toei A4
Rikugien Garden	Komagome Station is usually better
Tokyo Sakura Tram	Walk along Jizo-dori toward Koshinzuka Station

Important: If you are visiting the famous Jizo-dori Shopping Street or Togenuki Jizo Temple, Toei Exit A3 is particularly convenient.

2. Understanding the JR Station Exits

JR Sugamo Station has one main ticket gate.

After passing through the gate, you can leave the station through different street exits.

These are commonly identified as:

• Front Exit (正面口)
• North Exit (北口)
• South Exit (南口)

They are not three separate JR ticket gates.

Front Exit — Best for Jizo-dori

The Front Exit is a convenient choice for:

• Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street
• Togenuki Jizo Koganji Temple
• Toei Mita Line connections
• Shops along Hakusan-dori

For most first-time visitors heading to Sugamo’s traditional shopping street, this is the recommended JR exit.

North Exit

The North Exit serves the northern side of Sugamo Station.

It is useful for:

• Nearby streets around Sugamo 2-chome
• The direction of Somei Cemetery
• Shops and buildings on the northern side of the station

Check your destination before choosing this exit.

South Exit

The South Exit serves the southern side of the station.

It is useful for:

• Sugamo 1-chome
• Streets toward Sengoku
• Nearby offices and residential areas
• The direction of Honkomagome

If you are visiting Jizo-dori, the Front Exit is generally a simpler choice.

3. How to Get to Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street

Sugamo Jizo-dori is a traditional Japanese shopping street known for local food, small shops, traditional sweets and Buddhist temples.

It is sometimes nicknamed “Grandma’s Harajuku” because of its popularity among older visitors.

However, people of all ages can enjoy the neighborhood.

From JR Sugamo Station

1. Leave through the main JR ticket gate.
2. Follow signs for the Front Exit.
3. Cross Hakusan-dori (National Route 17) at a designated pedestrian crossing.
4. Turn right and continue along the street.
5. Look for the entrance to Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street.

Walking time: approximately 5 minutes.

From the Toei Mita Line

1. Get off at Sugamo Station (I15).
2. Follow the signs for Exit A3.
3. Leave through Exit A3.
4. Walk toward the entrance to Jizo-dori Shopping Street.

Walking time: approximately 2 minutes.

The official shopping street access guide confirms these approximate walking times.

Official Sugamo Jizo-dori Access Guide (English)

4. Toei Mita Line — Which Exit Should You Use?

Sugamo Station is also served by the Toei Mita Line (I15).

Unlike JR, the subway uses numbered exits:

A1, A2, A3 and A4.

Exit A1 — JR Station and Komagome Direction

Exit A1 is useful for:

• JR Sugamo Station
• Streets toward Komagome
• The Sugamo Station intersection
• The general direction of Rikugien Garden

If you are transferring to JR, follow the signs for JR Sugamo Station.

However, if Rikugien Garden is your main destination, Komagome Station is generally more convenient.

Exit A2 — Southern Sugamo Area

Exit A2 serves destinations including:

• Sugamo Otori Shrine
• Bunkyo Miyashita Park
• Nearby schools and shops
• Streets toward Sengoku

Note: Bunkyo Miyashita Park is a local park near Sugamo. It is not the well-known Miyashita Park in Shibuya.

Exit A2 is not the recommended exit for Jizo-dori Shopping Street.

Exit A3 — Jizo-dori and Togenuki Jizo

Exit A3 is the most useful subway exit for many first-time visitors to Sugamo.

Choose A3 for:

• Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street
• Togenuki Jizo Koganji Temple
• Sugamo Post Office
• Streets toward the Koshinzuka area

If you are visiting Sugamo for sightseeing, A3 is often the best choice.

Exit A4 — Somei Cemetery Area

Exit A4 is useful for destinations including:

• Somei Cemetery
• Tokyo Swimming Center
• Nearby schools and sports facilities
• Streets around Sugamo 2-chome and 5-chome

Before leaving through A4, check your destination on the official station map.

5. How to Get to Togenuki Jizo Koganji Temple

Togenuki Jizo Koganji Temple is one of Sugamo’s best-known attractions.

The temple is located along Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street.

From JR Sugamo Station

1. Leave through the Front Exit.
2. Walk toward Jizo-dori Shopping Street.
3. Continue along the shopping street.
4. Enter the temple grounds.

Walking time: approximately 5 minutes.

From the Toei Mita Line

1. Use Exit A3.
2. Walk toward Jizo-dori Shopping Street.
3. Continue to Koganji Temple.

Walking time: approximately 3 minutes, according to the temple’s detailed access guide.

These are approximate times and may vary depending on your walking pace or crowd conditions.

What Should Visitors Know?

Koganji is an active Buddhist temple.

Visitors come to pray and visit the famous Arai Kannon, also known as the Washing Kannon.

The temple is particularly associated with prayers for health and well-being.

Please respect worshippers and follow the temple’s rules during your visit.

The shopping street and temple area can be especially busy on days ending in 4, including the 4th, 14th and 24th of each month.

Official Sugamo Temple and Prayer Information (English)

6. Is Sugamo Station the Best Station for Rikugien Garden?

Not usually.

Rikugien is a traditional Japanese landscape garden, but Sugamo Station is not the most convenient station for its main entrance.

According to the garden’s official English access information:

Station	Walking Time
JR Komagome Station, South Exit	Approximately 7 minutes
Tokyo Metro Komagome Station, Exit 2	Approximately 7 minutes
Toei Sengoku Station, Exit A3	Approximately 10 minutes

If Rikugien is your main destination, Komagome Station is usually the better choice.

Common mistake: Choosing Sugamo Station because Rikugien appears on a nearby area map.

Always check the garden’s entrance before deciding where to get off.

Official Rikugien Garden Access Guide (English)

7. Changing Between JR and the Toei Mita Line

Sugamo Station serves two railway operators:

• JR East — Yamanote Line (JY11)
• Toei Transportation — Mita Line (I15)

The two operators have separate ticket gates.

From JR to the Toei Mita Line

1. Get off the JR Yamanote Line.
2. Follow signs toward the main JR ticket gate.
3. Leave the JR ticketed area.
4. Follow signs for the Toei Mita Line.
5. Enter through the Toei ticket gates.
6. Check your train direction before boarding.

From the Toei Mita Line to JR

1. Get off the Mita Line train.
2. Follow signs for JR Sugamo Station.
3. Head toward the JR station connection near Exit A1.
4. Enter the JR ticket gates.
5. Follow signs to the correct Yamanote Line platform.

There is no need to travel to another station for this transfer.

8. Which Direction Should You Take on the Yamanote Line?

JR Sugamo Station has the station number JY11.

The Yamanote Line operates in two directions.

Direction	Main Destinations
Toward Ueno and Tokyo	Komagome, Tabata, Ueno, Tokyo
Toward Ikebukuro and Shinjuku	Otsuka, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku

Check the platform signs and train information before boarding.

What About the Toei Mita Line?

The neighboring Mita Line stations are:

• Sengoku (I14)
• Sugamo (I15)
• Nishi-sugamo (I16)

For stations such as Suidobashi and Mita, travel toward Meguro.

For Nishi-sugamo and stations farther north, take a train toward Nishi-takashimadaira.

Always check the destination shown on the train.

9. Where Is the Tokyo Sakura Tram?

The Tokyo Sakura Tram, also known as the Toden Arakawa Line, does not stop directly at JR Sugamo Station.

However, you can walk through the Jizo-dori area toward Koshinzuka Station.

Koshinzuka is one of the tram stops serving this neighborhood.

How to Get There

1. Leave JR Sugamo Station through the Front Exit.
2. Walk toward Jizo-dori Shopping Street.
3. Continue along the shopping street.
4. Follow signs toward Koshinzuka tram stop.

The tram provides connections to neighborhoods including Otsuka and Oji.

If you plan to use it, check the correct direction before boarding.

Tokyo Sakura Tram — Official English Route Map

10. Five Common Mistakes at Sugamo Station

Mistake 1: Confusing JR Street Exits with Subway Exits

JR uses named street exits such as Front, North and South.

The Toei Mita Line uses numbered exits A1 to A4.

They are different exit systems.

Mistake 2: Choosing the Wrong Exit for Jizo-dori

From JR, the Front Exit is usually the simplest choice.

From the Mita Line, use Exit A3.

Mistake 3: Crossing Hakusan-dori in the Wrong Place

Hakusan-dori is a major road.

Always use designated pedestrian crossings and follow traffic signals.

Mistake 4: Confusing Sugamo with Nishi-sugamo

Sugamo Station (I15) and Nishi-sugamo Station (I16) are different subway stations.

For Togenuki Jizo and Jizo-dori Shopping Street, use Sugamo Station.

Mistake 5: Getting Off at Sugamo for Rikugien Garden

Komagome Station is usually more convenient for Rikugien.

Check the garden’s official access information before travelling.

11. Official English Information

For the latest maps, train information and visitor guidance, use these official English-language websites.

JR East — Sugamo Station

Official JR Sugamo Station Map (English)

JR East — Sugamo Train Timetables

Official JR Timetables (English)

Toei Transportation — Sugamo Station

Official Toei Mita Line Station Information (English)

Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street

Official Shopping Street Access Guide (English)

Koganji Temple and Prayer Information

Official Sugamo Temple Guide (English)

Rikugien Garden

Official Rikugien Garden Access Guide (English)

Tokyo Sakura Tram

Official Tokyo Sakura Tram Route Map (English)

12. Related Guide on Japan Life Steps

Exploring more neighborhoods along Tokyo’s Yamanote Line?

You may also find this guide helpful:

Shin-Okubo Station: Which Exit Should You Use?

Final Tip

If you remember only three things about Sugamo Station:

JR Front Exit: A convenient starting point for Jizo-dori Shopping Street and Togenuki Jizo.

Toei Exit A3: The recommended subway exit for the shopping street and temple.

Komagome Station: Usually the better choice for visiting Rikugien Garden.

Checking the correct exit before leaving the station can save time and help you enjoy Sugamo without confusion.

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Disclaimer (October 2026): This guide is based on official railway, shopping street and attraction information available as of October 2026. Station layouts, exit arrangements, walking routes, opening hours and train services may change. Always check the latest official information and follow local signs before travelling.