Shimokitazawa - Tokyo’s bohemian district

Search out the rare and the vintage in this cool, calm corner of the city

Shimokitazawa, also known as "Shimokita," is only a stone's throw from Shibuya and Shinjuku, but the intensity of the city drops a few degrees when you pull into the station. This laid-back bohemian district is home to vintage clothing stores, select bookstores, music shops and funky, distinctive cafés and bars. Shimokitazawa doesn't really kick into gear until lunchtime, so schedule an afternoon of select shopping followed by an evening in one of the cozy bars and cafes.

How to Get There

Access Shimokitazawa by taking the Odakyu Line or Keio-Inokashira Line to Shimokitazawa Station.

From Haneda Airport: One hour by train to Shimokitazawa Station.
From Narita Airport: One hour 45 minutes by train to Shimokitazawa Station.
From Shinjuku Station: Seven minutes on the Odakyu Line to Shimokitazawa Station.
From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Chuo Line Rapid to Shinjuku Station, then transfer to the Odakyu Line. Travel time: 35 minutes

An up-and-coming neighborhood

In the area around the recently-renovated Shimokitazawa Station, you’ll find a number of new developments. Mikan Shimokita is a complex just outside the station, with a variety of shops, restaurants serving food from around the world, as well as a co-working space and a Tsutaya bookstore. Reload sits on the site of the old Odakyu train lines. Filled with restaurants, cafés, shops, and a gallery-like bookstore and stationery shop, it is designed to encourage visitors and store owners to interact, with tables and benches, and lots of spaces for people to relax.

In search of the rare and the vintage

If you're looking for vintage clothing or antiques, the neighborhood of Shimokitazawa is the place to go. Browse the clothing racks of New York Joe Exchange, in a building that used to be a public bath. For everyday items and knick-knacks that make good souvenirs, Antique Life Jin and Tokyo Retro a.m.a. are worth checking out.

Streets of words and sounds

More than just a place to pick up authentic vintage clothing, Shimokitazawa has a thriving literary and music scene. The crates at music shops are crammed with rare releases and the shelves of bookstores are full of little-known tomes. At B&B, you can enjoy a cold beer with a wide range of selected books.

Café culture—recharging stations on every corner

Shimokitazawa has a café on every corner, and in keeping with its relaxed, alternative atmosphere, many of the cafés have quirky interiors and are tucked away in interesting locations. If the café has a terrace, grab a seat for some quality people watching. Lunch and afternoon tea are on offer at most places, and the doors don't close when the sun goes down. If you've spent an afternoon on the hectic streets of Shibuya or Shinjuku, head to one of Shimokitazawa's cafés in the evening to wind down with a glass of wine or a draft beer.