Best of Shimokitazawa 2022! Cool classics and the latest news
Here are the latest and greatest spots of Shimokitazawa, a city full of character!
Shimokitazawa lies in Tokyo’s Setagaya City. Commonly called “Shimokita,” the city cradles a culture of originality while a massive ongoing redevelopment promises plenty of new things to see and do. It’s just one train ride away either on the Keio Line from Shibuya or the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku. The perfect place to head for a change of scene from the city center!
Mikan Shimokita
Mikan Shimokita
A new shopping and dining complex that opened on July 28 this year near Shimokitazawa Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.
| Address | 2-11-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, etc. |
| URL | https://mikanshimokita.jp/ |
Speaking of Shimokitazawa …
The area has so much to offer, but these three are particularly deep-rooted in Shimokita’s image. Many small theaters and concert halls among a wealth of secondhand clothing stores are a scene found only in Shimokitazawa.
The City of Theaters
The sight of many small theaters and show bills posted throughout the town makes us feel close to the world on stage.
The City of Music
Flash Disc Ranch
A store carrying secondhand imported records, open since 1982 The wide selection and reasonable prices are drawing a growing number of overseas buyers. Shimokitazawa is renowned for its countless record stores.
Business hours: 12:00-20:00&
Closed: Wednesdays
Address: Misuzu Building 2F, 2-12-16 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
https://www.instagram.com/flashdiscranch/
The City of Secondhand Clothing
Shimokita garage department
Stores selling used clothing and accessories gather in this garage. Discover unique items that can only be found in Shimokitazawa. Don’t forget the annex in Mikan Shimokita.
Business hours: 12:00 (some shops 11:00) to 20:00 (some shops 21:00)
Closed: Varies according to the shop
Address: 2-25-8 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.k-toyo.jp/
A new kid on the block “Shimokita Senrogai” (Shimokita Railroad Street) opened May 2022!
Since the Odakyu Line was moved underground, the site of the former track running from Setagaya Daita through Shimokitazawa to Higashi-Kitazawa stations has become the new urban playground Shimokita Railroad Street. All 13 areas fully opened in May 2022.
BONUS TRACK
BONUS TRACK
Japan’s “shotengai” shopping street is reimagined as its own little town with houses that double as restaurants, shops, and plazas. Here you’ll find a collection of unique shops where you can meet the owners, who range from sole proprietors to young people in search of a new challenge.
| Address | 2-36-12 to 15 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| URL | https://bonus-track.net/ |
Yuen Bettei Daita
Yuen Bettei Daita
An inn in the city center with open-air hot spring baths fed by waters brought from Hakone, a famous onsen area in Kanagawa Prefecture. Relax amid an atmosphere as serene as a ryokan in a mountain village, even while in Tokyo. Choose from a range of dining and day trip onsen packages as well. 
Yuen Bettei Daita
| Address | 2-31-26 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| URL | https://www.uds-hotels.com/yuenbettei/daita/ |
From travel writer Lisa! Learn about what she loves in My "Shimokita"
A decade living in Shimokitazawa! Lisa, a writer of many articles showcasing Japan, tells us about her beloved Shimokitazawa!
Lunch at Magic Spice
In the past few years, curry shops have proliferated to the point where Shimokitazawa is now known as “sacred ground for spice curry.” Even in such a fiercely competitive market, there’s a crowd lined up every day at this soup curry shop. The spicy excitement of the curry piled high with vegetables and meat will have you coming back again and again. 
I like the hottest level!
| Address | 1-40-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Business hours | 11:30-23:00 (weekdays 15:00-17:30 break) |
| Regular holiday | Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| URL | http://www.magicspice.net/framepage11.html |
Take a break at BALLON D’ ESSAI
A store specializing in lattes with an attached art gallery. Enjoy the classic flavor and latte art crafted by the barista. With its calm atmosphere, the cafe is the perfect place for a rest. You can also experience making latte art.
BALLOND’ESSAI
| Address | 2-30-11 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Business hours | Monday to Friday 11:30 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 to 19:00 |
| Regular holiday | Open 365 days |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/ballondessai.latte_art/ |
Hunting for “kawaii” at the Tokyo Retro a.m.a.store
Shimokitazawa’s streets overflow with antique shops. Focused mainly on Japan-made interior goods from the 1970s, the shop offers a stellar lineup of retro pop furniture and homeware. Step into another age and enjoy the good ol’ days of Japan.
Tokyo Retro a.m.a.store
| Address | 3-34-2 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Business hours | 13:00-19:00 |
| Regular holiday | No fixed holiday |
| URL | https://www.amastore.jp/ |
Get a take-out drink from Shimokita Chaen Oyama
A well-established Japanese tea specialty store whose staff includes a “10th Level Chashi (tea master),” the pinnacle of achievement in the Japanese tea industry. In October 2021, it relocated to “reload,” one of Shimokita’s newest complexes. The rich flavor of the matcha latte is unparalleled.
Enjoy the refined atmosphere of reload ♪
| Address | reload1-11, 3-19-20 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Business hours | Sales: 9:00-19:00, Cafe: 14:00-18:00 |
| Regular holiday | Wednesdays (excluding special items on the 27th and 28th of every month) |
| URL | https://shimokita-chaen.com/ |
Shimokitazawa, the source of vibrance and originality of youth culture. The town’s evolution continues as new fashionable spots pop up, deepening the area’s allure. Come experience what everyone is talking about. ♪
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The information herein is as of Aug 2022
Writer
Minami
Born in Aichi Prefecture, my name is Minami and watching theater is my passion. Having studied abroad in France and the UK, I worked at a travel agency after graduation, which sparked my love of travel both in Japan and abroad! In particular, I enjoy travel related to art galleries, seasonal flowers, or the settings of stories. Whether manga, anime, or 2.5D musicals, please leave it to me!
