Ever heard the name “Shimokita”? Officially called “Shimokitazawa,” this area, in western Tokyo’s Setagaya City has given rise to a unique culture that stands out even amid the chaos of the metropolis, just three minutes from Shibuya on the Keio Line, or eight minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line. Nicknamed “Shimokita” by crowds of young subculture fans, the streets are lined with theaters and vintage clothing stores. Recent new developments around the station are stirring things up, bringing new vibes to the area. Even first-timers find the streets unexpectedly familiar, while repeat visitors always find new allurements, so let’s take a deep dive into this town and see what everyone’s talking about.

The three cultures of Shimokitazawa

Shimokita’s got attractions galore, but its real claim to fame in the subculture world are its three cultural dimensions: theater, music, and vintage fashion. Small theaters and live houses abound, offering spaces for original performances and artistic expression. The neighborhood is alive with the unique passion and energy of young people thronging to the area in search of such inspiration.

Also, there is a wide range of second-hand clothing shops, from reasonably-priced to vintage. One of the most well-known spots in the area is the Toyo Department Store, a garage space shared by many boutiques carrying vintage fashion and accessories. Searching, finding and making use of the value still retained in high-quality and well-designed items is a way to enjoy the spirit of sustainability through fashion and music, a lifestyle that attracts many to shop on the streets of Shimokitazawa.

Great food in Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa’s new look

Elsewhere, major developments, such as relocating railway lines from the surface to underground, are ongoing, opening up spaces where new great places are popping up one after another. Not only young people but those of all ages are finding more and more reasons to drop by the area.

Mikan Shimokita

Opened in July 2022 right by Shimokitazawa Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, this complex has a restaurant area with more than 20 shops, and an attached workspace. Despite being brand new, the facility is true to its Shimokita roots, with one corner reminiscent of an Asian street food market lined with restaurants serving Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Thai cooking and more, while the Tsutaya Bookstore offers a serene space to relax and choose your next read.

Find out more about Mikan Shimokita in this article:
https://ikidane-nippon.com/en/features/a01001

Shimokita Railroad Street

A new “town” born on the site of a former surface railroad track that stretched roughly 1.7 km from Higashi-Kitazawa Station to Setagaya-Daita Station on the Odakyu Line. Among the many unique points in this area, here are two of the best.

One is the multi-use complex BONUS TRACK. This reimagining of Japan’s shotengai shopping streets is designed as a single community with residences sharing space with retail boutiques, restaurants, and open plazas. Aiming to support small business and create opportunity for young people, all of the unique shops here share the same concept to be a business where “you can see the owner’s face.”
https://bonus-track.net/ (Japanese version only) The other standout on Railroad Street is Yuen Bettei Daita, one of the exceedingly rare hot spring inns of Tokyo’s 23 cities. At this ryokan with an open-air bath filled with flowing waters brought in from Hakone hot springs, you can feel the pleasures of staying at a mountain village inn even in the urban jungle. Special day-trip plans including hot springs and dining are available as a set, even for those who don’t stay overnight, so feel free to stop by for a few hours.
https://www.uds-hotels.com/en/yuenbettei/daita/ The one and only Shimokitazawa is a hub of individuality, filled with places to experience everything from one-of-a-kind culture to cutting-edge sensibilities. Just minutes from Shinjuku and Shibuya, discover a new side of the city in Shimokita.