5 Cooler Places in Tokyo (Updated)
Tokyo: Top 5
cool spots WORTH VISITING in 2023/2024
Hello again!! If you’re familiar with my original 5 Cool Places in Tokyo I wrote in 2018 and you’ve visited Japan recently, you’ll come to find that all those places are.. not very cool anymore. Lol, just kidding, they’re still amazing - BUT they’re nearing oversaturation now that tourism’s spiked and some of that local charm has disappeared. In the last year, you’ve probably seen a billion reccommendations, highlight reels, and other random posts highlighting these not-so-secret gems.
Since everyone’s Japan trips were postponed after borders closed, Tokyo has gotten chaotic (good and bad). Shibuya is slammed. Shinjuku is on steroids. Garbage is everywhere and I’ve seen a handful of rats - surprising even coming from NYC. It’s not the same, stereotypically clean city it once was.
Anyway - there are hardly untapped areas of Tokyo. Below is a list of my personal favorite areas I continue to visit in 2023 that’s a great mix of spunk and modern Japan. :)
5. Shimokitazawa
Shopping (5) | Drinking (5) | Food (4) | English (3) | Location (2) | $$
Shimokitazawa. A repeat from my original list. It’s definitely changed over the last few years, but the core vibe still holds true. Tons of individual makers/sellers, thrift shops, cafes, wine bars, and small izakayas and restaurants. Shimo is on most Japan travel lists so I won’t spend much time explaining why you should check it out — but I definitely think it’s worth visiting if you’ve got time.
A refreshing perspective from the classic Tokyo you’ve probably been touring!
📷: cafetyo, floracracy
4. Nakameguro
Shopping (3) | Drinking (4) | Food (5) | English (3) | Location (3) | $$
Nakameguro. One of my favorite parts of Tokyo and I always make an effort to introduce this part of town to my friends. It’s the perfect place to spend a slow day when you want to escape the Daisos, traffic sounds, and any other unpleasant characteristic of a big city. Perfect lazy Sunday.
The area is most known for its fantastic cherry-blossom viewing in the springtime. Sakura trees line the river and you can see all the pink petals floating down. I try to avoid this area during this time due to how crowded it gets.
Great spot to shop niche Japanese workwear/camp brands and spend $$$ (think Snow Peak). On a good day, I highly recommend walking through Nakameguro to Daikanyama.
📷: steezy_panda
3. Koenji
Shopping (4) | Drinking (3) | Food (4) | English (2) | Location (2) | $$
Koenji. Koenji was also on my original list, and I still don’t see it pop up as often as other places on most Japan-Must-See lists. I’ll keep it on here because I still think it holds true to its untouched, cozy, neighborhood vibe. Cool thrift shops and offers a unique variety that slightly differs from Shimokitazawa.
Unless you’re staying in Shinjuku, Koenji is pretty annoying to get to but is a great day trip. If you’re tight on time, I don’t think I’d recommend both Shimo and Koenji in the same trip as their differences are very.. nuanced. But definitely check it out if you’re staying in Shinjuku!
2. Daikanyama
Shopping (5) | Drinking (2) | Food (3) | English (4) | Location (5) | $$$
Daikanyama. My favorite area to walk around and pretend like I’ve got unlimited money to drop on cool Japanese + designer brands. Beautiful architecture that gives into the modern-wa fu style that’s been trending.
You’ll find galleries, popups, and cafe/concept stores that will never make you want to leave. It’s a great location in between Ebisu and Shibuya.
Be prepared to walk through beautiful buildings, narrow streets, and residential bliss.
📷: ___a.xx18, timeouttokyo_, architecturalreality, rinbow00_
1. DAIKanyama t-site
Shopping (5) | English (5) | Location (5) | $$$
T-Site Daikanyama. One of my (surprise!) favorite spots in Tokyo and can spend days here. Daikanyama the area is already on this list, so I put my favorite store in the area here as well. This is probably my favorite book store I’ve been to. It doesn’t have the fairytale European wooden cottagecore bookshop vibe that “amazing bookstores” usually come with, but it’s entirely its own thing. I actually think it’s more of a media store than book store - similar to Helsinki’s new public library Oodi.
There’s this spacious outdoor area with a restuarant/cafe, pop up/activity area, and 2 buildings with outdoor seating. The 2 buildings connect and are separated by the type of media. You can find international, Japanese, design, cars, travel, animal, etc. reads here. There’s usually a pop-up selling exclusive or interesting merch as well.
In one of the buildings is a really swanky “reading room” where you can order drinks and chat or relax. Definitely a nice space to take a break if not outside.
📷: daikanyama.tsutaya, yuzu_reading, inth.w0nder, hihidadawang
That’s my short list! Regardless of the Japan tourism boom that’s overtaken 2023, my above list holds true to their core. There are, of course, a billion other incredible places to see - but I’ve just been enjoying these specific areas lately. An honorable mention - which will likely be on next year’s list - is Akasaka/Azabu.
Note - I left out some major destinations (Asakusa, Shibuya, Harajuku, etc.) due to the major tourist population. I find that the heightened tourism influences the shops, eatery quality, and atmosphere. Japan’s culture and “ways” are so unique that I’d want you all to truly experience them alongside other locals.
Happy traveling! <3
- Emilia Liu, Champloo
