Hello! This is SOSIANRAY. This time, I will focus on the birthplace of Ultraman, Soshigaya Okura in Setagaya Ward. Please enjoy the photos of the Ultraman statue that shines even more brightly at night! (Note: The photos were taken in January 2023.)
The birthplace of Ultraman, Soshigaya-Okura.
The Odakyu Line’s Soshigaya-Okura station, which was once home to the Tsuburaya Productions headquarters (now relocated to Shibuya), is considered the birthplace of Ultraman.
As a child, I moved every two to three years due to my parents’ work, and because of that, I longed to live in one place for a long time, eventually settling in Setagaya, Tokyo. I have been living here for over ten years now. (That said, I have moved twice within Setagaya as well.)
Having lived in Soshigaya-Okurayama for about 10 years on both the south and north sides of the station, I have a deep affection for this place. By the way, my handle “Sosianrei” is derived from “Soshi” in Soshigaya.
The Ultraman Shopping District refers to the three shopping streets surrounding Soshigaya-Okura Station (Soshigaya Minami Shopping Street Promotion Association, Soshigaya Shopping Street Promotion Association, and Soshigaya Shoshinkai Shopping Street Promotion Association). It is a community officially recognized by Tsuburaya Productions that was established in April 2005, born from the “Ultraman Town Development Project” with the slogan “Love, Dream, Light” reflecting the Ultraman worldview. As of 2025, when this article is being written, it marks the 20th anniversary of its establishment.
Congratulations! Ultraman Shopping Street!
The atmosphere of a down-to-earth and livable city.
In the Ultraman shopping district, there was “Kinashi Cycle” run by Noritake Kinashi’s father, and further inside the shopping district, there used to be a bathhouse called “Soshigaya Onsen 21” which is now closed. Of course, it has also been featured on television as the birthplace of Ultraman. There were many small shops such as a flower shop, bakery, supermarket, Japanese sweets shop, coffee shop, butcher, electronics store, thrift shop, Italian restaurant, and bar, all lined up together.
I think everyone has their own image of Setagaya, but as for my impression of Soshigaya Okura, it is a town with a more down-to-earth atmosphere, where the rent and prices are a rank lower compared to the neighboring Seijo Gakuen station area lined with upscale residences, making it easy to live in. That was one of its attractions. I also heard that many housewives living in Seijo Gakuen come to shop in Soshigaya Okura.
And I intend to write about my memories of the public bath “Soshigaya Onsen 21,” which has a very down-to-earth and Showa-era atmosphere, on another occasion.
A statue of Ultraman that emits light in the darkness.
I am not particularly interested in Ultraman or tokusatsu, but I don’t dislike the heroes that have been close to me since childhood, and when I first moved to Soshigaya-Okura, I would peek into the battles between Ultraman and monsters unfolding inside the streetlight poles.
I think it’s a shopping district that Ultraman fans can’t resist, but have you ever witnessed the moment when the eyes of the Ultraman statue light up at night?
After taking the photo below, the next time I visited, Ultraman’s eyes were off.
The whole picture looks like this: ↓ I often used the silver round part surrounding the statue as a bench to sit on.
The Song of Ultraman
The mark on my chest is a shooting star, boasting with my jet, I shoot down the enemies. From the land of light, he has come for us, our Ultraman.
Ultraman, the mark on your chest is a shooting star, how wonderful…!!
（Japan is an interesting country where Ultraman comes from the Land of Light, Doraemon from the 22nd century, and Anpanman from Jam Ojisan’s bakery.）
In the Ultraman shopping district, there are many Ultraman-themed items beyond the photos included this time, making it enjoyable even for those who are not fans. It is said to be the 20th anniversary this year, but I wonder what it will be like in another 10 years.
Just as Ultraman continues to be a beloved hero, I hope that the Ultraman shopping district will also remain a cherished place forever.
Reference / Source
Ultraman Shopping Street Official Website
https://www.ultraman-shotengai.com/
Tsuburaya Station
https://m-78.jp/
Ultraman Shopping Street Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ultraman.syoutengai/
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