After you’ve been to the more tourist spots in Tokyo, you can drop by this small hipster neighbourhood full of independent retailers, stores, and cafes. “Shimokita” is more quiet and laid back but has the same creative spirit as Harajuku. It has narrow streets with artsy shops, vintage items, and wall murals (to the delight of the photographer in me).
It’s easy to get here from Shibuya or Shinjuku. We visited the place late afternoon but I loved it particularly during the night time. It has a different charm. Try out Bear Pond‘s good coffee and Shirube‘s famous Izakaya. It’s a good shopping place for trinkets and accessories as well. I think I bought too many stuff from this place! Oh and as a bonus, they have a big Muji store just outside Shimokitazawa station.
I remember buying a lot from this quaint little shop!
Katsu Tanaka, Bear Pond‘s owner, doesn’t allow other hands to touch this espresso because he is a perfectionist like that.
How to get to here: Ride the train from Shinjuku JR Station to Shimokitazawa Station. The train costs around ¥154.
