A DAY OUT IN SHIMOKITAZAWA, TOKYO

24/6/2023

Shimokitazawa is an area of Tokyo famous for vintage fashion, live music and great food and drink. Being only 5 minutes from Shibuya (Inokashira Line) and 7 minutes from Shinjuku (Odakyu Line), the area is easily accessible, yet somehow feels like stepping into a different world.
Make a day of it in the village-like atmosphere, slowly taking in the retro ambiance of the area and experiencing the many fabulous spots Shimokita has to offer.
A small sidenote, Shimokita is a sleepy little town with most independent shops not opening until 11am (and some at 1pm). Mondays and Tuesday are often holidays for many businesses and the weekends tend to be packed full of people due to the many, MANY events happening around town.

COFFEE, CAKE & BAKERIES

Sidewalk Coffee, Mustard Hotel
On-site roastery, great coffee, toasted bagels in lots of flavours, delicious sandwiches,friendly staff and a huge deck to sit and watch the world go by. Dog friendly on the terrace.
VISIT SIDEWALK

Brooklyn Roasting Company
A fab place to people-watch while sipping on great coffee. Lots of outdoor table seating under the shade of the Inokashira tracks. Perfect for too sunny or rainy days. Dog-friendly on the terrace.
VISIT BROOKLYN ROASTING

Daizawa 5 Chome Starbucks
One of the original cool coffee shops in Shimokita. Interesting interior design. Dog-friendly at the back entrance.
VISIT 5 CHOME

Sunday Brunch
A classic afternoon tea experience in the middle of central Shimokita. SB is famous for their seasonal flower-adorned fluffy buttercream cakes and seasonal drinks.
VISIT SUNDAY BRUNCH

Nuku Muku
Take out only bakery but well worth the visit to try their amazing baked goods but also to experience the retro interior.
VISIT NUKU MUKU

Shirohige Cream Puff Factory
The cutest and probably most famous cafe in the whole of Shimokita. COme and grab the cutest chou creams around, in the shape of Totoro from Studio Ghibli's 'My Neighbour Totoro'.
VISIT SHIROHIGE

LUNCH SPOTS

Egyptian: Deli Shop Uchimura Egyptian Cuisine
Curries, felafel, lamb/ chicken kebab, houmous.
Lunch set is a great deal. Eat in or at the park nearby.
VISIT UCHIMURA

La Befana
An old-timer but still going strong. Lovely wood-oven pizza. More value for money at lunch time rather than evening.
VISIT LA BEFANA

Bahn Mi Ba Ba
Vietnamese sandwiches and pho noodles.
VISIT BMBB

DINNER & DRINKS

Good Heavens British Pub
Fish and chips and real ale. Go and say hello to my lovely friends Paul & Hisako and soak in the Brit pub atmosphere. The fish and chips is great...with Sarson's vinegar too!
Lots of fun events here including Space Night, comedy nights, live sessions and movie screenings.
VISIT GOOD HEAVENS

Shirube
Lively Japanese izakaya with a fun and loud atmosphere. Be ready to be blasted by energetic serving staff, try some great dishes (a stand out for me is the simmered daikon in a dashi broth and the flaming mackerel) and feel a bit of the old Japan.
VISIT SHIRUBE

Thai Food Laboratory
Yum curries, noodle and rice dishes in a street-market style setting. Friendly staff and quick service. Centrally located in ShimokitaUe
VISIT THAI FOOD LAB

Shimokita is also home to Studio Biku, a tiny shopping experience in the Bikudesigns atelier. 14 international makers are represented in the space, each artist/ artisan displaying their unique take on the Japanese design aesthetic.
We are ready to welcome you for a drop-in during opening times or for a private shopping experience.

VISIT STUDIO BIKU

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