2025.12.30#Takadanobaba

🐎 Next year (2026) is the Year of the Horse. Plus, it's the once-in-60-years "Hinoeuma".

——That is why you should walk around "Takadanobaba" in Reiwa 8

🎍 1｜Reiwa 8 is the Year of the Horse. And the talked-about "Hinoeuma"

Next year, Reiwa 8 is the Year of the Horse。
And this time,it's the "Hinoeuma" (Fire Horse) which comes around only once every 60 years .

When hearing "Hinoeuma",
some people might have a somewhat uneasy image.

However——
To put it simply and relax a bit, it is actually a rather interesting zodiac sign.

🔥 What is Hinoeuma? (Very briefly...)

"Hinoe (丙)" = One of the Heavenly Stems.Symbolizes fire energy
"Uma (午)" = The "Horse" of the Earthly Branches.Symbol of action and forward momentum

In other words, Hinoeuma is,
"Fire x Horse = A year with exceptionally strong energy"。

In the Edo period,
"Women born in the Year of the Fire Horse have strong wills"
there was such folklore, but

in modern terms,
it can also be said to be a year of quick decision-making and the power to change the flow .

If you want to bring good luck,
walking through a "place with momentum" actually makes a lot of sense.

🏇 2｜The place name "Takadanobaba" itself is already auspicious

In such a Year of the Horse,
there is a town we definitely want you to walk around again.

That is——
Takadanobaba。

📜 The Origin of the Name Takadanobaba

The place name Takadanobaba
originates from the fact that the Tokugawa Shogunate's equestrian training ground (baba) existed here during the Edo period.

A print depicting the shogunate vassals' horseback riding and archery practice grounds, also known from "Chushingura"

A prestigious "place for horses" built to showcase equestrian skills before the Shogun.
A historically significant "place for horses".

In other words, this town
is a "town with a deep connection to horses" right from the origin of its name indeed.

At Suinari Shrine, horses are bred and yabusame (mounted archery) archers are trained.

Shinjuku City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property: Takadanobaba Yabusame

🐎 Why you should walk around Takadanobaba in the Year of the Horse

The Year of the Horse
Hinoe-uma (Fire Horse, bringing intense energy)
Takadanobaba, a town bearing the name of the horse

A year with all these conditions aligned
does not come around very often.

In 2026 (Reiwa 8),
instead of seeing Takadanobaba as "just a student town,"
we want you to enjoy it as "an auspicious neighborhood walk spot."。

🍶 3｜At the end of the year, head to a place to "reward the horse that ran its race"

Horses do not just run;
after they finish running,
they need a place to rest. .

As the year comes to a close after running through it all.
Having a drink in Takadanobaba is not a bad choice at all.

🔥 4｜Sumiyaki Choja Baba Rock｜Last business day of the year: 12/30 (Tue)

In Takadanobaba,
chosen as the "final stop of the night" Baba Rock。

📅 New Year Business Schedule

Last business day of the year: 12/30 (Tue)
Business resumes on:January 4, 2026 (Sun) ~

Today is
the last day of the year you can walk under our noren curtain. .

🥕 A slightly auspicious menu for the final day of the year

At this time of year at Baba Rock,
a quietly popular dish is "Buta Bara Daikon" (Braised Pork Belly and Daikon Radish)。

Daikon = "putting down deep roots"
Simmering = "soaking up good fortune thoroughly"

To eat at the end of the year,
this is a dish as auspicious as it gets.

Before welcoming the "Fire Year" of Hinoe-uma,
calm your body and mind for a moment.
For that reason too, a drink on the final day of the year is highly recommended.

🐴 5｜Summary｜Welcome the start of the Year of the Horse in the "Horse Town"

Reiwa 8 is the Year of the Horse, and furthermore, the once-in-60-years Hinoe-uma
Takadanobaba, a town deeply connected to horses
Wrap up the year with a drink at Baba Rock

To conclude a year of running forward,
and to step energetically into the next year.

Today, December 30th,
the final Baba Rock of the year。
Please make use of us as a run-up to the New Year.

📩 Reservations & Inquiries

Please feel free to contact us for same-day reservations ("Can we come in today?"), banquets such as dates, drinking parties, girls' night out, welcome/farewell parties, or even dining solo.