Harajuku and Shibuya are the twin pillars of Tokyo’s street fashion, a vibrant tapestry that captures the spirit of Japan’s youth culture. The brands that line these streets are curators of a dynamic lifestyle, each adding a unique thread to the fabric of urban style. Tokyo Streetwear Brands are renowned for their cutting-edge designs and unique aesthetic that effortlessly blends street style with high fashion. Few places measure up to Tokyo when it comes to streetwear labels, as the city is a visual encyclopedia, littered with locals in bold fashion statements and home to hypebeast brands with the highest street credit.
Women’s streetwear in Tokyo is tough to keep ahead of, with Japanese designers ranging from international to local. Starting as a subculture in the back streets of Harajuku, Japanese streetwear has since gone on to become a global sensation, with many still dressing and replicating the style today. Harajuku Streetwear Brand Fashion includes A Bathing Ape (Bape), Billionaire Boys Club (BBC), Ice Cream, Stussy, Supreme, X-Large, and more! Other shops that might interest consumers are resale.
To discover Tokyo streetwear, explore the best areas for Japanese streetwear brands in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Mitsukoshi, Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Akihabara, Yodobashi Camera, and more. Takeshita Street is known for its unique and most crowded fashion street in Japan, known for Kawaii culture, souvenir shops, and trendy fashion.
In Harajuku, visit the Harajuku store and GR8, located in Harajuku’s Laforet Mall. This comprehensive Tokyo shopping guide features the best places to go for fashion, streetwear, sneakers, food, coffee, and more.
📹 Tokyo – Where to Buy EVERYTHING | The Ultimate Guide
Today we’re looking at where to buy EVERYTHING in Tokyo. Get Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tokyolens …
Is Shibuya or Shinjuku better for nightlife?
Shibuya and Shinjuku are Tokyo’s two popular nightlife districts, each with its own unique offerings. Shibuya is known for its lively nightlife, featuring live music venues, karaoke bars, and stylish clubs, while Shinjuku offers a diverse scene with traditional Izakayas and upscale cocktail bars. Both districts offer entertainment options like cinemas, theaters, arcades, and the Golden Gai area.
Why is Shinjuku so popular?
Shinjuku, a popular nightlife area in Tokyo, is known for its sexy atmosphere, hostess and host clubs, and love hotels. The area was popular during the 1960s and 70s with students and counter-culture types, and there are still some jazz bars and cafés left. Shinjuku, along with Shibuya, is often featured in Western movies and TV shows set in Tokyo, with Yasukuni Avenue being a visual shorthand for the city. The neighborhood of Nishi-Shinjuku, located west of Shinjuku Station, is a business district with skyscrapers laid out in a neat grid, with the capital building located there.
Is Shinjuku or Shibuya better in Tokyo?
Shibuya and Shinjuku are two popular districts in Tokyo, each with its own unique layout and attractions. Shibuya is known for its iconic scramble crossing and vibrant street fashion, while Shinjuku is a bustling commercial and entertainment hub with towering skyscrapers, department stores, and the lively Kabukicho district. Shibuya is a popular destination for budget travelers and those looking for a laid-back atmosphere, while Shinjuku is known for its luxury hotels and high-end accommodations.
Shibuya is known for its trendy and youthful atmosphere, with multiple hostels, guesthouses, and trendy boutique hotels. Shinjuku is also home to some of Tokyo’s most exclusive and expensive hotels, offering stunning views of the city and top-notch amenities. Shibuya is also home to several major attractions, such as the famous Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue, and Meiji Shrine. Shibuya Center Street and Cat Street are popular for shopping and exploring unique boutiques.
When choosing between Shibuya and Shinjuku, consider factors such as tourist spots, department stores, restaurants, and transport. If you have time for both, consider which district will be more enjoyable for you. Additionally, Shibuya is set to host Coto Academy, a language learning center, in the coming autumn.
Is it better to stay in Ginza or Shibuya?
The best areas to stay in Tokyo for tourists include Shinjuku, Ginza, and Shibuya, with Tokyo Station and Asakusa being other popular options. Staying near the JR Yamanote train line or subway line allows easy access to Tokyo tourist sites, with plenty of shops and reasonably-priced restaurants in these areas.
Shinjuku is ideal for easy transportation access to sightseeing and day trips to Mt. Fuji and Hakone, while Shibuya offers a youthful vibe and plenty of restaurants and shops. Ginza or Tokyo Station are ideal for proximity to bullet train rides to Kyoto, Osaka, and other regions in Japan. Asakusa offers a deeper cultural experience and is a budget-friendly option.
While Airbnbs in Tokyo are cheaper and provide a more local experience, hotels in Tokyo offer convenience, reliability, better service, and higher standards of cleanliness. Choosing the right place to stay in Tokyo doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By sharing personal experiences from staying in different neighborhoods, hotels, and ryokans, readers can choose the right place and hotel for their Japan vacation.
Shinjuku has been a popular choice for many readers for the past seven years, with many positive reviews from those who have actually visited the area. The top five best places to stay in Tokyo are listed as unbiased opinions from a typical tourist using their own money.
Which district of Tokyo is well known for its unique street fashion?
Ginza, Tokyo’s fashion and business district, offers a unique blend of international and indigenous fashion housed in architectural marvels. The street style aesthetic is defined by sharp silhouettes, layered ensembles, and a palette dominated by blacks, whites, beiges, and navy blues. Ginza Six features global labels like Dior, Celine, Saint Laurent, Alaia, and new-age labels like The Row, Acne Studios, and Rick Owens. The Tsutaya bookstore on the sixth floor offers art and fashion magazines.
Kenji Yanobe’s Big Cat Bang installation is also a highlight. Valentino’s birthday splurge at Valentino wr
aps up the tax refund process in-store. Sakai offers a glimpse of the globally celebrated Japanese label at Mitsukoshi Ginza.
What is the fashion district in Tokyo?
Shibuya, a popular neighborhood in Tokyo known for its trendy culture and fashion, has seen several additions and revamps in recent years, including high-end malls and mixed-use complexes. Despite these changes, Shibuya remains a vibrant area with numerous neighborhoods ranging from upscale Omotesando to eccentric Harajuku.
One of the best places to shop, eat, and stay in Shibuya is Trunk, a boutique hotel that matched its hip reputation. Located between Shibuya and Omotesando, Trunk Cat Street offers an intimate retreat with a lobby lounge that serves as a coworking space during the day and a lively bar at night. The hotel offers accommodations ranging from cozy rooms to residential-style suites with a focus on sustainability, featuring amenities locally made from upcycled materials.
Trunk’s unique blend of design and fashion has made it a favorite among locals and travelers alike. The hotel’s lobby lounge serves as a makeshift coworking space and a lively bar, while the floors above house accommodations that range from cozy rooms to residential-style suites with a focus on sustainability.
Where to shop in Tokyo for streetwear?
This streetwear shop guide highlights five must-visit fashion and streetwear stores in Tokyo. The first is Supreme, a crazier concept of the iconic American streetwear brand known for its unique stores. Spanning across several floors, it offers the latest drops and coveted collaborations. The Jordan Word of Flight is a unique concept established in Tokyo, dedicated to Jordan exclusively. It features the latest shoe models, sportswear, and streetwear clothing, with rare pieces on-site in a museum-like setting. The store also offers an exclusive clothing collection, making it a must-visit for those visiting Tokyo.
The Jordan Word of Flight is a surprising concept, offering a museum-like setting where rare pieces are on-site to admire the brand’s history and Michael Jordan’s achievements. Other well-known retailers in Japan include Atmos, Undefeated, and Kith. These stores are a must-visit for those visiting Tokyo or looking to explore other cities in Japan.
What is the most fashionable district in Tokyo?
Tokyo’s Ginza is the premier upmarket shopping district, featuring high-end department stores, boutiques, and designer brands. It is home to leading Japanese and international fashion brands, as well as major electronics brands like Sony and Apple. The shopping extends into the nearby Yurakucho area.
Nihonbashi is a historic merchant district with traditional goods and local foods, serving as a leading center of trade and commerce during the Edo Period. It features the flagship branch of Mitsukoshi, Japan’s first department store, and many smaller shops with centuries-long histories.
Marunouchi is an upscale shopping district near Tokyo Station, home to many of the largest companies. The lower floors of office buildings along central Nakadori avenue contain cafes, restaurants, and numerous shops. Additional department stores and an underground mall can be found at nearby Tokyo Station.
Which parts of Japan are famous for fashion?
Ginza, a renowned Tokyo fashion district, is known for its high-end shopping and Dover Street Market. Many blogs and vlogs highlight Ginza as a must-do part of the Tokyo experience. However, the hype surrounding the district is not entirely accurate. While some stores like Gucci and Louis Vuitton have impressive queues, others, like the author, may not understand the hype. It’s important to consider the unique atmosphere and experiences of Ginza before making a purchase.
Is Harajuku in Shibuya or Shinjuku?
Harajuku is a district in Shibuya, Tokyo, known for its center of Japanese youth culture and fashion. It spans from Harajuku Station to Omotesando, corresponding on official maps as Jingūmae 1 chōme to 4 chōme. The district also includes smaller backstreets like Takeshita Street and Cat Street. Shopping options in Harajuku include small, youth-oriented boutiques and cafés, as well as large international chain stores with high-end luxury merchandisers along Omotesando. The district is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Which is better, Shinjuku or Shibuya?
Shibuya and Shinjuku are two popular districts in Tokyo, each with its own unique layout and attractions. Shibuya is known for its iconic scramble crossing and vibrant street fashion, while Shinjuku is a bustling commercial and entertainment hub with towering skyscrapers, department stores, and the lively Kabukicho district. Shibuya is a popular destination for budget travelers and those looking for a laid-back atmosphere, while Shinjuku is known for its luxury hotels and high-end accommodations.
Shibuya is known for its trendy and youthful atmosphere, with multiple hostels, guesthouses, and trendy boutique hotels. Shinjuku is also home to some of Tokyo’s most exclusive and expensive hotels, offering stunning views of the city and top-notch amenities. Shibuya is also home to several major attractions, such as the famous Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue, and Meiji Shrine. Shibuya Center Street and Cat Street are popular for shopping and exploring unique boutiques.
When choosing between Shibuya and Shinjuku, consider factors such as tourist spots, department stores, restaurants, and transport. If you have time for both, consider which district will be more enjoyable for you. Additionally, Shibuya is set to host Coto Academy, a language learning center, in the coming autumn.
📹 JAPAN TAKEOVER!! Going To The BEST Sneaker, Streetwear, and Vintage Stores in Tokyo and Osaka!!
For the first time ever I went to Japan and found the best sneaker stores, vintage clothing, designer bags, collectables and more!
Image Source: Pixabay.com)
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I went to Japan about 3 months after the ban covid ban was lifted the first time. And I cannot tell you how incredibly lucky I feel to have been there with so few other tourists. Seeing some of the b-roll from asakusa is insane! There were maybe like at most a 100ish people there when I went and most of the shops weren’t even open, but I didn’t care because the shrine was beautiful to look at and appreciating it a little extra now seeing how calm it was when we went (comparatively)
This is the best Tokyo guide that I will always rely on from now on! Left my hometown Osaka three years ago and now I live in Tokyo. Was always difficult to entertain my friends from Osaka but now I will come back to watch this and see what they wanna do. Thank you so much Norm! And also great music selection as well😆✨
I have just returned from Tokyo and this would have been so useful if it were posted 3 weeks ago. The size of the city is amazing and it is packed full of life in all of the little alleys and the buildings with 7 floors of bars and restaurants. It amazes and surprises me even though I have been 3 times now.
The way you filmed this was SO much fun! ♥ I may never get to experience Tokyo in real life, but you made me feel like I was there for a second. The only thing I was missing on this incredible overview was looking at art supply stores – but that’s just the artist in me *laughs*. These are the kind of stores I will seek out whenever I go to a new city.
I’ve been to Japan, and when I went I only spent a few 4-5 days in Tokyo before moving on to Hakone, and I had always felt that despite managing to check out a lot of the places mentioned, I still missed out. Norm killed me with this article, its difficult to phrase it diffirently. I came back from JP some 4 months ago, and I am aching to go back JUST to stay in Tokyo this time I really really really wish I had this article when I left, because despite all my research online, I could not even get close to the comprehensiveness of this vid Norm, do the same for Kyoto will you? I feel like there is a hidden Kyoto full of interesting places, but I ended up spending most of my time the same 4-5 places article gets a 10/10, Norm gets an 11/10 for effort alone
So interesting to know that Tokyo has its speciality areas! I loved the places that showed craft stuff, and I know I’m in danger of overspending if I go near any of the anime shops. I got lost in Tokyo Station during my last visit. I was looking for the Pokemon store but I didn’t realize there were several floors under the station. Ended up just buying some food and enjoying the sights outside the station. Ameyoko and Ueno are my favorite places, and even if Asakusa’s crowded, i liked exploring that area too.
Okay, you’re not only a formidable and enthusiastic presenter, you must also be psychic! Because I was just wondering about stuff like this just a few days ago and here you are, just handing information right in my lap… Very nice and informative article, cool to know that Tokyo is so much more varied than I previous thought! As a fan of sumo, it would be awesome to get myself to Tokyo some day!
I would LOVE to see a article on shops that specialize in kimono, yukata and festival wear! (tbh I’d love a article focusing on each of these areas but that one seems like a great place to start haha) I run a shop where we import and sell kimono directly from Japan so it would be extra special to see where everything comes from <3 It also seems like the shopkeeper who greeted you knows you well and might make a great interview subject!
Tokyo is such an expansive microcosm of things. You’d be surprised at what you’ll find in even the smallest corners and crannies in the most unlikely of places. And the food…GOD the food! Please do a whole article showing what we’d miss out on if we weren’t looking for it because there is just so much.
Wow where has this article been?? Very informative! I think I’ve been able to hit up most of these spots, but now feel I must go back to some and redo my walkthroughs… This reminds me of my first trip to Japan where I walked from Ueno to Asakusa and noticed all the shops in an entire street were dedicated to funeral type items; I remember thinking ‘oh boy I am in Death Street 😬’ lol
I honestly don’t think I could pick which area is my favorite. They all seem to have their own unique style and charm. Seeing all the various architectural styles together makes me really interested in the history of each region as well. Thanks for bringing us along on this fascinating journey! Also, I’d unironically be interested in a article on all the different guardrails!
as a fan of Japan traveling there is worth it but there are so many attractions there that we have to sit there for a long time especially I’m a cute anime hunter 🥺🤣💕🤤 it’s very satisfying to be served and great, Japan has a lot of options in various things, some are cheap and some are expensive, it’s good once
Hey Norm! Thanks for the picture in Harajuku. I realized in the aftermath that I didn’t even properly introduce myself and just rudely asked for a picture. I really didn’t mean to come across that way I was just too nervous to get words out my mouth 😅 Thanks again for the picture and keep on making that great content!!
Akihabara was my favorite area of Tokyo I went to. Shibuya was pretty amazing too, I loved sitting in the Starbucks overlooking the crossing and just perusal the organized chaos. When I was there last time most of my budget went to retro game collecting and most of my meals came from the conbini(which was really good) but next time I want to eat my way across Tokyo. Edit: Ameyoko Street was also amazing, I didn’t spend much time there but I’m definitely going back. I had THE BEST pineapple of my life there.
Thanks for the tip about Meguro and used furniture stores. I’ve only been out there for Sakura. 🙂 I am compiling a list of used furniture stores to check out next year for my house. I have a healthy fondness for the Shitamachi side of Tokyo, since that’s where I first fell in love with the back street shrines, crazy tiny stores, and hidden rooftops back in 03. But I bought a house on the Yamanote side… so I guess I’m fancy now.
Norm, this article as an absolute treat! Thank you so much for the run down. I thoroughly enjoyed the editing. My wife, myself and our toddler arrive in japan in only 21 days! I deliberately booked our accommodation within walking distance to Nakano Broadway, since last time we were there in 2019 (before kiddo was born) we loved the food and shopping experience. I’ll be hunting down vintage camera, gameboys and ipods during our stay!
My favourite area? Probably the fabric one. I’ve tried to find out in the past with no real success, but is there a pottery specific or traditional artisan area? You mentioned a craft supply stores. I know about that place outside Kyoto, and recently found out a fellow alumni from my uni here in the UK, Ai Ono is now a potter in Kyoto. But I can find very little info about ceramics in Tokyo. I’m hoping to one day get over there and see all these things.
I’ve been living in Tokyo for about a year now, after being in another prefecture for years, and was not particularly excited at the thought of moving here. I will say that your articles exploring Tokyo have helped a lot in making me want to explore and learn about the city, this article is fantastic, will definitely visit a few of the places you mentioned!
Two Norms!!!!! Imagine the website if two Norms were a thing, it would rule the world hahahaha Loved this article, it’s given us some good pointers for November 😉 plus, I’m aiming to find Christmas presents while there so I’m keeping this article safe! As a foodie, I would 1000000000% want a similar article food related. Yes. Please!
Fantastic country! Will go there again now so thanks for the walk through…👍🙏 Will say one thing to everyone that thinking about going. Do it now. Japan goverment have a goal of attract 60 miljon tourists a year within 5 years ( It’s about 12 miljon/year now) and if you like me have traveled for many years and seen all big cities be ruined, overcrowded and overpriced you can only guess what will happen in tokyo in the next couple of years… One of the things that’s already changed is the japan rail pass because to many tourists take to much seats on already full trains…JUST GO!🙏🤗
I will be taking my first trip to Japan this end of November after thanksgiving with 3 friends and I, been perusal your articles for some time and the excitement only grows more and more. Luckily 2 of the 4 have already been there so my first time won’t be so overwhelming hopefully haha. Thank you for the articles and what you do! We’re gonna be staying like a 8 minute walk from downtown akihabara !!
Wish this was made months ago… was in tokyo last August 2023 but yeah, our main goal was Mt. Fuji, Shibuya crossing, food food food, Shinjuku area, Mt. Takao and Mutsui outlet store … we didnt even got to go to Tokoyo Station and Tokyo Tower, 2wks in Tokyo is not enough unless you want to wake up early and go back to the hotel late at night and that would defeat the travel and relax part Lol This will be filed for future Japan travel.
Hi Norm, thanks for another great article. My inner need is also to visit Japan for sure, but who knows if life will allow it. Nevertheless, your articles are always a little journey as they are always about other interesting topics. Oh and since you asked, Meguro sounds interesting because of the unique furniture, but of course I would want to visit half of your listing . The more I watch your articles the more I realize that you have to take a year “off” to experience Japan with all its facets. Until the next article. Greetings from Germany 😁
I love Norm’s shopping article’s, I wish I’d seen something like this before I went to Tokyo earlier this year. I was one of those marks that bought “souvernirs” from the Asakusa shops. The used watch shops on Nakano broadway are pretty good for picking up a decently priced used luxury watch, especially with the exchange rate at its current value.
I normally hit up Akihabara and Nakano a lot on my visits but this time i have actually been in Harajuku more, not for the fashion but for the small art galleries in the back streets. This is definitely a good article for showing people what area is good for what and that they should look into things further themselves to see if there us an area which is good for their interests
After perusal this vid, I decided to visit Ogawa and I ended up having an hour long conversation with the shopkeeper—He’s so friendly and talkative, I was so surprised! He briefly mentioned a YouTuber he met in the past and I think I knew who he was talking about 😂 At the end, he even gave me a little present—so kind of him!!
Wow, this is one of the best, most concise Tokyo neighborhood overviews I’ve ever seen. I’ve visited a number of these for the specific specialties that you called out (I loved late evening walks in Ochanomizu to look at guitars~) and still learned quite a lot about some other areas I wasn’t aware of their specialty.
Ohhh this was fabulous ❤ I was drawn to so many places, haberdashery, books, kitchen ware, furniture, the thrift shops too. All those wonderful shrines, hidden away or the roof tops, fantastic ❤ I’ve never travelled abroad in my life but I found myself without thinking about it, getting excited about all the different areas to see. Your enthusiasm is catching, and the welcome you get from your friends in the shops is wonderful 😊 I’m so glad that i found your website about 2 years ago ❤
I loved this article a lot. There’s a lot of neighbourhoods that have amazing things in Tokyo and get ignored for flashier areas like Shibuya. I had actually never heard of Kuramae or Ogawachi before so, it was nice to hear of new places. I want to explore them now. I was surprised you didn’t mention Koenji which also has quite a few thrift stores or also in Tokyo Station – Character Street which has lots of mascot character goods. There’s also of course Ikebukuro for Ota Road and Sunshine City for anime and toy stores and other big department stores. I would love to see you do a highlight sometime on cool things on the outskirts of Tokyo, sometimes the coolest stores or attractions are out there, but just tucked away.
This was an amazing article for any of us with a japan trip coming up. Theres so many amazing tbings to see. I feel like our time is goung run out too fast. 😅 I loved seeing Ueno most probably. We want to see Ueno park, the natural history museum and do some shopping there. But I’m sure my daughter will want to go to Harajuku to buy girly items, and to anywhere there’s Pokemon or Sanrio stuff. Seeing a Tokyo Lems article is the best part of my sunday. I love how the lovely shop owners jump up to greet you. Such lovely people. 😊
Another great article. I was lucky enough to go with work earlier this month, so moved my flights to give me four days there on my own beforehand. I walked 45 miles and did Akihabara, Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya and managed to get the Shinkansen to Kyoto, to walk to and around Mt Inari. What struck me most was the beautiful shrines. Staying in Omiya, I woke early on the first day so walked to that shrine and just saw locals worshipping. So humbling. I made a list of everything I wanted to see (including of course the Tamiya shop, Kyosho Village, Seiko museum, Senso Ji and a huge number of places in Akihabara). But your article has shown there’s still so much I want to go back for! It’s not all about the shopping for me – it’s the beauty of the place and the whole culture. But yes, what struck me there was how you really can buy everything! I even found a tiny shop with about eight women in making jewellery, so bought my wife some earrings that she loves, for only about £45. That was just off the main street in Ginza… You wouldn’t get that just off Oxford Street in London! After that, the work part involved riding motorcycles in the mountains to the north west of Tokyo. Yeah, ‘work’. I love Japan…
Wow Norm, this is such a helpful article! Going to be in Tokyo on the 2nd and the thought of how big and overwhelming shopping will be in Tokyo was giving me low key anxiety. I think I asked you in a previous article the best place to buy Japanese plates and china and you answered this plus more with this article. Thank you, thank you!! ❤️
When I saw the title I first thought this was about Don Quijote, where it seems like you can buy everything, but this topic turned out to be far more interesting 🙂 While we certainly have some specialty stores for books, music and the likes here in Sweden, I don’t think I’ve ever seen multiple of them gather in an area and I’ve never something like a knife shop selling only knives. Then again, considering that there lives more than 3 times as many people just in Tokyo as it does in the entire country of Sweden, it might not be that surprising that there’s far more room for specialty stores & areas like this.
Beautiful article. This is great because I hope to be traveling to Japan and spending a few days in Tokyo next year. Ochana-Mizu, Jimbocho, and Akihabara. I collect GameBoy games and will have to stop by Akihabara and Nakano Broadway for that. I would assume that one could find shamisen and koto in Ochana-Mizu?
As a recent traveler and avid book/figure enthusiast, my two cents on this topic would be: 1) Book Off: amazing normal and second-hand store for article games, books, manga, vinyls and DVDs. If you’re into getting some rarer manga titles long out of print, Book Off may just have you covered. On occasion they’ll even have entire series neatly packaged and ready for purchase at amazing prices. I almost bought the entire “History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi” series for about 2k yen, but it would have taken up an entire suitcase to transport, so I had to settle for a picture. 2) Trader2: found this little gem in Akihabara. Stalls lined back to back with used games and second-hand figures; even spotted some extremely rare switch games (Dead or Alive) but with matching prices. I even found the one figure I wanted most of all (Mona from Genshin Impact) at a bargain price (around 22k), but the dang thing was wider than my suitcase! Again, had to settle for a pic. Cheers!
Ooh, Tokyo station was on my rainy day list for my trip. But my single Tokyo rainy day was spent at Nakano broadway and hitting several Hobby off stores in the west side of central Tokyo. I can highly recommend Nakano Broadway if you have a few hours to kill in Tokyo. As for my favourite area. it’s a cliché. Akihabara is just too good. I visited it on my second day in Tokyo, right after exploring Ueno park at the start of my 50 day trip. Found myself drawn back to it 3 days in a row, generally exploring the city during the day, then head off to Akihabara for the evening. I was overwhelmed by the tech and anime goods. Loved it so much that I simply booked the Apa hotel in the middle of the shopping area there for my last 5 days in japan. Still finding new stores and places on my last day there. It is incredibly touristy though, and after traveling and shopping in more areas in Japan I realized that many shops including some thrift stores are overpricing their goods. From my experience, amiami and Surugaya were the best stores for general anime goods when it comes to pricing or getting deals. And you can’t go wrong with hobby off/book off stores.
Thank you Norm👍. For when a article about areas in tokyo on food, like best areas / places for ramen, tonkotsu, eel, fish, street food, good quality matcha tea, teas in general and markets w/ supermarkets too ( small or big) we love the packaging and the cultural gastronomy of Japan, tjere is so much to roam around👌Is Donki still there?, Tokyu hands an all those fabulous stationery stuff, the quality of paper, pens, pencils, notepads…endless pleasure! We havent travelled since the pandemic started😣
During the trip to Japan I just recently had, I stayed at a hotel in Jimbocho and it was so nice walking by all of the bookshops! I really liked the area. :yougotthis: A walk from there to Akihabara brought me through Ochanomizu and it was really cool passing by all of the guitar stores! A different hotel I stayed at that was close by I now realize was in Ogawamachi! I remember wondering if I was imagining how there seemed to be so many sports-related stores nearby (especially winter sport ones)! 😂 I missed the sports themed guard rails though! Bummer! 😢 I’m curious what you would say about Ikebukuro! Thanks for the article Norm! :virtualhug:
I’m a vinyl nerd and (thanks to the internet) a fan of Japanese pop music from the 70’s & 80’s, and when I saw the shot in that Akiba record shop, I wanted to hop on a plane right that moment. I would like to visit someday, and being a train enthusiast, I had this plan to travel as much of the country on ‘Limited Express’ trains as possible, and avoid using the Shinkansen. I believe the Kato model railway shop is in Ueno (don’t quote me on that) so that would be another place I would have to visit.
when I was in Tokyo this spring I enjoyed a lot the area between Ameyokocho down to Akihabara. the density of shops, the food street at the end of the shopping going back to Ameyoko. Plus I found a really nice Japan Exclusive mechanic Seiko as a souvenir for myself. When I get back I need to hit up Nakano. never heard of it somehow!
when the first time I was there, I forgot to do my homework (scouting place). so I just wander around the obvious place like Akihabara, Shinjuku, etc without knowing what I expect to see. it was fun getting lost in multi story store for hours but also regrettable because I miss a lot of stuff that was just few jump away.
So many places too see and discover and that’s just Tokyo City. I’m beginning to be a bit afraid. The fear of planning my trip to Japan. Where to start and where to end without missing some the interesting and beautiful things and places you’re showing us. A hope that my brain will not have a meltdown from all the new impressions. But could I leave tomorrow without thinking about when to departure back home I would definitely do it!
I believe I could easily spent a week in Kappa Bashi area and bury myself with all the kitchen stuff and on the other side I would be lost in the knife shops, lol! Other place interesting for me would be Shimokitazawa and all the vintage clothing. Please make the food article too, everything eating related is so much fun in Japan. Beautiful rooftop shrine.
So many good places not sure where to begin but I do love a good used book store. I do hope that when I get a chance to visit I can find a Fender Sakuraburst Stratocaster used though. Made in Japan Fender colors resonate more with me than the USA ones. As for everything anime figurine related I started that dark path of collecting those like over 20 years ago and if it wasn’t for the pandemic making the prices ever so much more expensive I would be all over buying them again more frequently. I will have to watch this article many more times to get a list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’ve never been to Japan, but your articles give me the vicarious experience of traveling there. I always find my way to the music districts of cities. So the record shops would be high on my list. The lingering question I have that you raised in the beginning of your article in the jewelry district is robberies. I’ve watch many of your article and often wondered how you have never been a victim of an opportunity crime (especially the night articles) because of your camera gear?
Finaly a useful article! I have been going to Japan for many years and have seen all the mainstream areas. But finaly i can get recommended lesser known areas in a quick and useful article. I just added a lot to my list for the next trip. My favorites are Nakano (they have a lot of great food, esp yakiniku next to broadway) and Shimokita (i love clothes and second hand).
Man i love to see Kappa Bashi again last time i was there i bought like 6 new kitchen knifes ( fun fact in Sweden where i live the brand Global is a rely good brand of professional kitchen knifes and are pretty expensive but in Japan they dont like that brand due to the knifes are not pure 64 layers of Damascus steal hand crafted sooooooo i bought all my knifes soooooo cheap more then half the price to the in Sweden ) 😀 😀 man i miss Japan so many good memory’s
Probably my favorite article in the past couple months, but they’re all great so it’s hard to choose. I remember researching best areas to buy specific craft supplies, books, clothes etc and was stoked to learn exactly what you are showcasing here. I definitely didn’t have enough time to get to everything I wanted to, but it’s one of the neat things about this huge city. One of the funniest memories from my trip this year was in Shimokitazawa – I was wearing a 20something year old shirt, still in good condition, and a couple of the vintage shop sellers were giving me thumbs up and saying they liked my shirt. I’m just frugal and hate clothes shopping so wear out my clothes before having to buy new ones. Who knew I was repping the local “in” fashion. I also saw some items in other shops that I owned back home 😂
there’s so much I would want to see but could not cover in one trip. Lifetime hobbies/passions and interests are all covered here. I’d have to make a trip to Nakano broadway, Akihabara of course and certainly “guitar street. ” That would leave little time left to explore the rooftop and alcove shrines (to take a break) before diving into the bookshops and obscure retro hobby (trains) and airsoft specialty stores. Ueno for street eats on the go because, who would have time to sit down and eat with all of the places needed to visit?
I’ve never commented on your articles and have been a fan of your website for some years now but man what an awesome article you pulled here, love the camera work and the editing! I’m definitely going one day and when I do your work will help so much. Thanks so much for your hard work! Regards from Mexico City
This makes me realise how much of Tokyo I missed exploring on my previous two trips! I can’t wait to go back soon and hopefully check out some of these areas that I missed, and further explore the areas I have already visited. I noticed myself saying a lot “I didn’t know x store was there!” Some I’m guessing is because of new stores popping up since I visited last in 2019, and probably a lot more I missed because of not knowing where to look XD
It’s getting pretty boring perusal you travel the world and only showing us sneaker stores. You can do the same type of shopping pretty much anywhere now, it’s the same tired content over and over again. Show us the more unique experiences not the same ish you keep showing in LA, Dubai, and countless other places.
Dope article. Its sucks they wouldn’t allow you to by the super rare kicks. In the US they will if the price is right😂😂. Thanks for letting me know about the settlement between bape and nike. I arleady got one pair if bapes. If possible my next pair of shoes might be bapes. I hope the shape and look don’t change alot.
Looked like an awesome trip for you guys! Wish we had streets like those here in the us with so much good stuff in them with friendly people running them. Loving the new “format” of the articles bro, keep it going! Thanks for sharing the awesome trip with everyone. Definitely looks like a place to put on the travel list for the fam and I.