Shimokitazawa, Tokyo

Spend some time in Shimokitazawa, one of Tokyo’s hottest hipster neighbourhoods where all the cool kids hang out, chock full of cafes, second hand / vintage stores and vinyl record shops.

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There are several sweet as shopping areas in Shimokitazawa, from the creative coolness of Bonus Track or the new railroad Reload complex to the old school delights and hole in the wall hang-outs along Kitazawa Azumadori Shopping Street.

There is also fine food delights to suit all budgets (and tastes) from the Shimokita food truck space through to the official Studio Ghibli Totoro cream puffs at Tolo cafe / Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory.

Referred to by locals affectionately as Shimokita, here is our ultimate guide to visiting Shimokitazawa in Tokyo in 2024 with photos:

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How to get to Shimokitazawa by public transport

The best way to get to Shimokitazawa by public transport is to take the train to Shimo-Kitazawa station, a non JR line connecting Shibuya Station through to Kichijoji. It is also a good link to the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo.

Alternatively, you can alight at either of the nearest JR stations (Setagaya-Daita Station or Higashi-Kitazawa Station) but the walk to most central parts of Shimokitazawa may take a little longer.

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Shimokitazawa recommended hotels and accommodation

Mid-Range ($$)
Mustard Hotel Shimokitazawa
Modern 3 star hotel with airy, minimalistic rooms that feature retro record players as part of the decor. Check rates and availability for Mustard Hotel Shimokitazawa

Luxury ($$$)
illi Com Shimokitazawa
Five star spacious apartments with well-fitted kitchen and living room spaces. Perfect for groups of friends. Check rates and availability for illi Com Shimokitazawa

Check out the best hotels in Tokyo via Booking.com >

Things to do in Shimokitazawa

1. Village Vanguard Shimokitazawa

Our first port of call when exploring Shimokitazawa was Village Vanguard – a kind of a cross between Mandrake meets Don Quijote.

A vast shop selling everything from cutesy character merchandise through to the most random of stationery, Village Vanguard Shimokitazawa really is a cavern of collectibles and cool stuff.

From Funko Pop to Mofusand, Hangyodon to Ultraman, Village Vanguard has got you covered.They even have gachapon machines galore outside.

At the time of writing, there are 15 Village Vanguard Japan stores in Tokyo and many more across the country. The Village Vanguard Shimokitazawa branch is open from 11am to 11pm.

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2. Reload Shimokitazawa

There are normal Tokyo malls and then there are Shimokitazawa malls, with Reload and Bonus Track being some of the most original and innovative. Newly opened in 2021, Reload is ahem…loaded…with hipster hangouts and trendy retailers, plus cute cafes.

The first thing you notice as you approach is the white walls and multi-level lay-out. Reload feels quite different (it has a village vibe) and this might be because it is housed on an old railway track.

The upper levels have several cafes and restaurants with outdoor terraces and it is a nice viewpoint to look out over the local neighbourhood.

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3. Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory – Tokyo’s Totoro Cream Puffs

Heard about the official Studio Ghibli bakery in Shimokitazawa? Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is a must visit for any true My Neighbour Totoro, chock full of cute choux pastries and super cool cookies all themed like Totoro.

Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Daita consists of a ground floor bakery (where you can grab takeaway treats) and also an upstairs seating area and Studio Ghibli / Totoro themed cafe (also known as TOLO). It can get very busy though so be prepared to queue or go early.

This totally unique Tokyo cafe is allowed to produce Totoro themed cream puffs and Cat Bus shaped cookies as it was founded in 2007 by the sister in law of Studio Ghibli’s visionary founder, Hayao Miyazaki.

Prices are reasonable given this is such a unique treat – Shirohige’s Cream Puff’s start from 600 Yen (around £3 / $3.80 USD) in 2024 for the standard custard cream puff or chocolate cream puff. Seasonal / special flavours all cost 640 Yen.

Check out our guide to visiting Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory here >

4. Kitazawa Azumadori Shopping Street

It is easy to spot when you’ve arrived at Kitazawa Azumadori – there are cool signposts which feel kinda vintage / retro (perhaps they’ve just been around for a very long time!).

The shopping street was fairly sleepy on the weekday morning we visited, but there were lots of restaurants and hole-in-the-wall hangouts opening, ready to explore later in the day.

You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku

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Where to stay in Tokyo guide

5. Shimokitazawa second hand, thrift and vintage stalls

As Shimokitazawa is so popular with younger visitors, this happening neighbourhood has one of Tokyo’s largest collections of thrift stores and second-hand clothing shops – a veritable vintage indeed.

This stems from when Shimokitazawa became a second-hand market of US goods after the end of the Second World War

Most stores have a range of Japanese and international clothing brands, with some surprising big names available – so if you want a genuine Chanel on the cheap, Shimokitazawa second-hand stores are the way to go.

Some of the more popular Shimokitazawa second-hand clothing stores and bargain boutique stores include:

TreFacStyle
Boasting a huge import luxury brand section, many Tik Tokers rate TreFacStyle as the best second-hand clothing store in the whole of Shimokitazawa. Prices are reasonable given the quality and includes everything from Gucci to ZARA.

Plan My Japan tip – bring your passport along so you can benefit from tax free purchases.

New York Joe Exchange Shimokitazawa
One of the longest established thrift stores in the area, New York Joe Exchange opened in 2010 specialises in imported, unbranded second hand clothes and even has a generous trade-in policy – so more clothing for your coin!

2nd Street Shimokitazawa
A popular clothing outlet with branches all over Japan. It has lots of second-hand items to suit all budgets.

BookOff
One of the more upmarket BookOffs, you can even buy second-hand Chanel hand-bags – so take a look at BookOff.

Bazz Store
It has the A to the Z of fine fashion thrifts from Abercrombie to Zara, via Gucci and Manolo Blahnik shoes.

Love fashion? Read our guide to the world’s largest UNIQLO store in Ginza >

6. Shimokita Senrogai Open Space

Located between Reload and Kitazawa Azumadori Shopping Street, Shimokita Senrogai Open Space is one of Shimokitazawa’s best street food spots.

Shimokita Senrogai Open Space Shimokitazawa

An open air park with a dozen or so food stalls, bars and the occasional craft-store, Shimokita Senrogai Open Space is an easy place to try local and international bites or share a craft beer or coffee with friends.

There is ample outdoor seating and it is a super place for a sunset session. As of May 2024, the street food area is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 9pm (although individual food truck and stall times may vary).

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7. Honda Gekijo Theatre and Tollywood

Located above Village Vanguard, the Honda (Gekijo) Theatre in Shimokita is one of the most well regarded theaters in Tokyo, with around 400 seats and hosting plays from established and new writers

Down the road, the area is also home to Shimokitazawa Tollywood, an independent cinema that hosts local film festivals, native movies and animated shorts.

Honda Gekijo Theatre and Tollywood Shimokitazawa

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8. Gallery Hana Shimokitazawa

A quick mention to Gallery Hana Shimokitazawa, a great little gallery if you are looking for original pieces to take home.

It works with up and coming artists to put on small exhibitions – check out their latest events and openings here.

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9. Star Beers

Kanpai to Shimokita’s coolest craft beer shop, Star Beers (like Star Wars but it is full of craft beers – just don’t tell George Lucas – got it?).

Shimokitazawa Star Beers craft beer bar shop

With hundreds of different craft beer cans to chug / sip (delete as appropriate), this is a very merry way to round of day of sightseeing in Shimokitazawa.

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Love craft beers? Check out this special craft beer 7-Eleven in Yokohama with over 500 different craft beers >

10. NY Cup Cakes

After all that craft beer, how about something sweet?! American style cupcakes complete with fondant icing and floral flourishes, the NY Cup Cakery in Shimokitazawa is sublime spot for sweet-treats.

As well as takeaway treats, there is a small seating area outside and this a nice respite from retail therapy and second-hand shopping – the classic red velvet cake is a must eat!

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11. B Side Label

A sublime sticker and stationery store, this is where we usually spend the most money – from onigiri necklaces to graffiti style neko waving cats, we often stock up at B-Side Label.

Staff will give you a little basket to shop with (which soon fills up) and there are numerous B-Side Labels stores all over Tokyo and Japan – but this one of the best!

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12. Tsutaya Bookstore Shimokitazawa

For the most epic collection of Manga books or anime comics in Shimokitazawa, head on over to Tsutaya Bookstore.

A huge chain of Japanese book-stores, digital nomads in Tokyo might also be interested to hear this one of the select few Tsutaya Bookstores in Tokyo that doubles as a co-working space, even offering free flow drink packages (we’re talking tea and coffee though, not craft beer!)

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13. Bonus Track

Along with Reload, this is one of the coolest creative hubs and outdoor shopping districts in Shimokitazawa, if not the whole of Tokyo.

Bonus Track is a bohemian of cute cafes, craft beer bars and artisan plus retro record stores – your ‘vinyl’ destination in Shimokitazawa.

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14. Flipper Pancakes

You had us at pancakes! See that big queue on one of Shimokita’s side streets? That likely be the flipping massive Flipper Pancake queue (luckily there is also a takeout area).

Flipper Pancakes is one of Japan’s best known fluffy pancake chains, renowned for their wonderfully wobbly and pretty as a picture pancakes.

Pancakes are available in most sweet versions (cos desserts are more decaden).

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15. B&B (Book and Beer)

Located in Bonus Track, B&B (Book & Beer) Shimokitazawa is a rather neat concept – browse and read books whilst you have a brew or too (craft beer is best obviously but you can partake in something lighter too).

So sit down, relax and read – have a Hoegarden with your Harry Potter or a BrewDog with your JG Ballard – probably.

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16. Other things to do in Shimokitazawa

Visit Neil’s Place, a community cafe run by Neil Storkey where locals can practice their English or try British bar style drinks and snacks – a bit like a Hub Pub, Japan’s chain of British pubs

Hiroki – hand’s down the best okonomiyaki in Shimokita!
Brooklyn Roasting Company – New York style coffee comes to Shimokitazawa – we reckon this would go well with the NY Cup Cakery.