Komagome has a long history since 15th century or earlier. It was a farming village on the outskirts of Edo (Tokyo ) in the Edo period (1603-1868). Rikugi-en (photo below) was constructed by a feudal lord in 1695-1702 as a suburban residence and, after the Meiji restoration (1868), transferred to Iwasaki family, the founder of Mitsubishi Group, and used as their residence. The total site area of Rikugi-en is approximately 88,000 square meters.
Fujifilm X-Pro2 / Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR
There was a gardener’s village in the north-west of Komagome station in the Edo period, which moved to Omiya (20km north of Komagome) after the Great Kanto earthquake (1923). In the 18th century, a gardener in the village developed a new variety of Sakura (cherry tree) by crossbreeding and the variety “Somei Yoshino” became the most common and popular cherry tree in Japan (Approximately 80% of cherry trees in Japan are Somei Yoshino). Below is a photo of a park commemorating the village.
Fujifilm X-Pro2 / Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR
Below is a photo of a residential area around Kaomagome station with signboards of a barber shop and a public bath.
Fujifilm X-Pro2 / Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR
Many of shopping streets in Tokyo have vanished in competition with supermarkets, however, shopping streets and private shops in Komagome are good and active and loved by local people.
Fujifilm X-Pro2 / Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR
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