Step into one of Tokyo’s trendiest neighborhoods and explore the bohemian streets of Shimokitazawa: home to vintage clothing, great coffee, and Japanese theater.
Local favorite of the cool kids in the city, Shimokitazawa is a laid-back hub of activity just five minutes by train from Shibuya (or 10 minutes from Shinjuku). With narrow streets dissuading drivers, the area has a relaxed pedestrian feel, with plenty of great spots for people watching and the opportunity to stroll to your heart’s content.
The district is divided into north and south by the station complex. The north side is mostly shops, and has a sophisticated-yet-edgy style. The south side has more bars and restaurants for more of a lively atmosphere. If you’re looking for an alternative afternoon out of the city, look no further: here are some of the best things to do in Shimokitazawa — your new favorite neighborhood.
1. Hunt for your new favorite vintage piece
You can easily lose yourself in the aisles of vintage clothing, which can be had (sometimes) for reasonable prices. There’s a good range of secondhand, bric-a-brac, and retro with a good combination of both Western imports and Japanese clothing brands, too.
Tokyo Department Garage is a good place to start with over 20 vendors packed into a single space. Most of them deal in vintage and second hand clothes in a range of styles, but you’ll also find handmade accessories. New York Joe Exchange and Chicago are especially popular with a good range of mens and womens clothing. And of course Stick Out remains a cheapo favorite, where everything is ¥800.
Pro tip: Skip the trial and error, and get straight to the treasure with this private shopping tour of Shimokitazawa. Your guide will take you to three (or more!) of Shimokita’s best vintage stores, so you’re sure to find some great pieces.
2. Catch some live music
Shimokitazawa is famed for its live music houses. If you’re a fan of indie and rock in particular, this is the place for you. While some spots can be expensive (starting at ¥8,000 a ticket), there are plenty of affordable ones, too. (Sadly there aren’t really any free options).
Kick off your night with an early show at the very cheapo friendly Shimokitazawa Three, where prices usually start from ¥2,000, but can sometimes be as low as ¥1,000. Shelter hosts a good mix of performers and entry prices start from ¥2,000; advance tickets are available at Lawson. Club 251 is a scruffy favorite with shows starting at around ¥2,000.
For a slightly more stylish and laid back night, 440 is another good option with tickets starting at ¥2,000 plus a ¥600 drink. Fever is another popular spot, with entry prices starting around the ¥2,500 mark but with an additional ¥600 drink purchase required.
3. Grab a coffee and people watch
With so many hipsters and hippies, Shimokitazawa is a great place for people watching. If you are interested in the ever-changing but constantly chic styles of Tokyo, this is a perfect place to see them — with enough alternative looks to write a book about.
Coffee-wise you are also spoiled for choice, with plenty of 3rd-wave places and prices as low as ¥200. For good latte art, an even better flat white, and decent prices head to Ballon D’essai, which has a small balcony area and free art displays. The ever-popular Bear Pond Cafe has some good coffee but strict rules: no photos and there are only 30 espressos available a day.
Bookends Coffee Service has a chilled-out feel with records playing in the background; coffee prices here start at ¥200 for a hot cup of Shimokitazawa Blend, while a latte will set you back ¥300. They also have a special take-out menu, often with slightly discounted prices.
4. Stock up on some vinyl records
It’s no secret that records have made a come-back, and as one of the top-5 must haves of the hipster, there are plenty of places to find them in Shimokita. Flash Disc Ranch is easy to spot as you can step through the monster’s mouth (you’ll know if when you see it); prices start at ¥300. The Shimokitazawa branch of Disc Union starts things off at ¥400 and has a decent selection across a wide range of genres.
City Country City is another great place worth checking out. When you’re done browsing their range of records you can grab some pasta, or a cake and coffee before heading on your way.
Have a look at our full article for more ideas!
5. Delve into the drinking dens
Unsurprisingly, Shimokita has plenty of trendy bars and unusual drinking haunts, including its own mini-strip of tiny Golden Gai-esque bars and shops. Luckily, we have a whole video taking you on a tour of some of the best bars — including converted theater the Suzunari, which houses a mix of bars, and Mother’s Ruin, the oldest rock bar in Shimokitazawa.
If it feels like there’s too much to choose from and you’d rather someone else just show you where to go, how about joining a bar hopping tour with a local guide?
6. Try out some Japanese theater
For decades, Shimokitazawa has been the locus of Tokyo’s fringe theater scene, largely centered around the Honda Theater (which can be found above the Village Vanguard store). Others nearby include Off Off Theater, Rakuen, and Theater 711. Shows are regular but mainly in rapid-fire Japanese, so you may have to do some internal storyline-guessing as you watch.
If movies are more your style, check out Tollywood — a movie theater specializing in experimental shorts — and the cinema at the newly built Tefu Lounge for feature length films.
7. Stroll through the streets to Totoro treats
Apparently run by the cousin of Totoro’s creator Miyazaki, Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory serves up adorable Totoro cream puffs in a variety of flavors. Getting here requires a pleasant and peaceful stroll through the quieter backstreets of the area. On a quiet corner surrounded by cute decorations and welcoming signs, you’ll find the bakery on the ground floor with a surprisingly cheapo-friendly cafe upstairs offering homemade pasta lunch sets.
8. Enjoy a plant-based meal
Fully plant-based dining options can be hard to come by in Japan, so imagine our surprise when we found two locations in the one shopping mall! Reload is a new complex in Shimokita’s northside with a number of small retailers, including two gems for plant-based eaters. On the ground floor, you’ll find Ming-Teng Hao Hao serving up vegan dumplings, noodles, and rice dishes all for affordable prices. For dessert head upstairs to Universal Bakes Nicome for a delicious range of baked goods. There’s no dine in options here, but there is a very cute terrace space nearby where you can sit and enjoy.
Once you’ve eaten your fill be sure to check out the rest of what Reload has to offer, including vintage clothing shops (naturally), perfume, books, and tea and coffee speciality shops.
9. Wonder on down to Bonus Track
Opened in 2020, Bonus Track is another one of those hybrid spaces that seem to be springing up everywhere. This co-working space/retail hub was built along the Shimokitazawa Senrongai, the area that became vacant when the Odakyu Line was moved underground. In addition to being home to several interesting shops like B&B (specializing in Books and Beer) and Hakko Department (an all-in-one grocery store/restaurant/bookstore), it has a charming outdoor dining area and hosts numerous events throughout the year.
As an added bonus, on the way you can follow Shimokitazawa Senrongai all the way from Shimokitazawa Station, taking you through the wonderfully overgrown Kitazawa Nonohara Open Space and the slightly more manicured Shimokita Ameniwa Open Space. It makes for a lovely little nature walk, and is quite a popular place to sit and relax.
While we do our best to keep things up to date, all prices and other details are subject to change. Last updated in August 2022 by Maria Danuco.
