Things To Do in Tsukishima: Monjayaki and Owls!

What To Do in Tsukishima: Monjayaki and Owls!

Tsukishima is a man-made island located in the Tokyo Bay by the Sumida River, connected to other masses of land by bridges. Although dotted with skyscrapers, it is renowned for “Tsukishima Monja Street”; a row of restaurants serving the local delicacy Monjayaki! If you are not into that, you can also relax at the new highlight in town, The Owl Café!

What is Tsukishima Monja Street?

What is Tsukishima Monja Street?
(image from author’s hand-on experience)

The Nishinaka Street (西中通り) “Monja Street”, is a rather narrow street that can be reached from Tsukishima Station within a minute. As the nickname suggested, the street is filled with many restaurants specializing in “Monjayaki”, the famous local dish.

Monjayaki is one of the three well known Konamon (粉モン), a dish made from wheat flour; a sibling of Okonomiyaki. Unlike the two styles of Okonomiyaki, Monjayaki does not stick together as a slice. You must use the small iron utensil to cut, pick up and eat in one bite!

There are over 40 Monjayaki restaurants in Tsukishima, and 30 of them are right on the Monja Street! They also formed a Tsukishima Monja Promotional Association (月島もんじゃ振興会協同組合). Be sure to drop by and pick up the guide map to all Monjayaki restaurants!

Spot Information

  • Spot name: Tsukishima Monja Promotional Association (月島もんじゃ振興会協同組合)
  • Street address: 1-8-1 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
  • Access: Within a minute on foot from Exit#7 of Tsukishima Station.

So famous that you might have to wait!

So famous that you might have to wait!

Due to the popularity of Tsukishima Monjayaki, many restaurants can be crowded. This means that you might have to wait in line if you visit them around 6PM. Most of them are open for dining as early as 5PM, and some also open for lunch at much cheaper price.

Most Monjayaki restaurants also have Okonomiyaki or Teppanyaki on their menus due to the similarity of the cooking plate (鉄板). Restaurants vary in size, but average to around 30-40 seats per restaurant. Many of them also accept credit cards and have alcoholic beverages available.

Monja Kura (もんじゃ 蔵) is very popular among ladies, containing a special rage of delicious ingredients, while Monkichi and Monjatarou are known for their relationship with manga: “Sangatsu no Lion” and “Doraemon” respectively. You can see autographs signed by celebrities there too!

Spot Information

  • Spot name: Monja Kura (もんじゃ 蔵)
  • Street address: 3-9-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
  • Access: Around 3 minutes on foot from Exit#7 of Tsukishima Station.

Spot Information

  • Spot name: Monkichi (もん吉)
  • Street address: 3-8-10 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
  • Access: Around 3 minutes on foot from Exit#7 of Tsukishima Station.

Spot Information

  • Spot name: Monjatarou (もんじゃ太郎)
  • Street address: 1-24-10 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
  • Access: Around a minute on foot from Exit#7 of Tsukishima Station.

Newest Attraction: Tsukishima Owl Cafe

Newest Attraction: Tsukishima Owl Cafe

Opened in 2012, the Fukurou no Mise (フクロウのみせ) offers you a unique experience with owls while relaxing within the café! The café has reinforced windows so no light can enter, keeping the owls in a comfortable and familiar habitat. Taking photos with flash is also prohibited.

Only 10 visitors are allowed for each hour of visiting. The first 10 minutes will be instruction and guidance on how to handle the owls: The Dos and Don’ts. As a café, you can also enjoy available drinks there too. Have a coffee and be an owl among the owls? Sounds cute right?

Keep in mind that you cannot make reservation in advance, so you will have to go there early so you might get in the timeslot. It is as they said, early bird catches the worm, or in this case, early bird gets to play with owls!

Spot Information

  • Spot name: Fukurou no Mise (フクロウのみせ)
  • Street address: 1-27-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
  • Access: around 6 minutes on foot from Exit#10 of Tsukishima Station.

Getting to Tsukishima

Despite being an island in the Tokyo Bay, Tsukishima is easily accessible through public transport. The easiest way is to take subway, either Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line to Y 21 or Toei Subway Oedo Line to E 16.

Spot Information

  • Spot name: Tsukishima Subway Station (月島駅)
  • Street address: 1-3-9 (for Tokyo Metro) and 1-5-4 (for Toei) Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
  • Access: Station Y 21 on Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line (東京メトロ有楽町線) and Station E 16 on Toei Subway Oedo Line (都営地下鉄大江戸線)

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