13 Coolest Tokyo Neighborhoods (my go-to spots as a local)
Tokyo has so many beautiful areas and unforgettable corners to explore. Vibey cafes, manicured parks and vintage shops dot the corners of the trendiest spots — you just need to know where to look!
I’ve been living in and visiting Japan since 2017. And after many trips to its capital city, these are my go-to spots. This is my curated list of the absolute coolest Tokyo neighborhoods.
If you’re in Tokyo, this is where you want to go.
Now let’s do this!
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1. Kichijoji
I lived in Kichijoji for about 6 months and it’s definitely one of my favorite towns. There’s epic shopping streets, yokocho drinking alleys and it has one of best parks in Tokyo — Inokashira koen.
It’s a straight shot from Shibuya on the Inokashira line (which take about 20 minutes).
The park has swan boat rides, endless spots for sitting and is perfect for the spring sakura season. There are also cafes and restaurants sprinkled about (my favorite is Pepa Cafe Forest).
Then there’s SUNROAD Shopping District, which is a covered street with tons of shops, cafes and restaurants. Within this area you’ll also find Harmonica Alley, which is a super cool yokocho drinking alley full of izakayas.
And if you follow the signs for park exit when arriving at Kichijoji station, you’ll walk down one of my favorite streets, which dumps right into Inokashira park.
There’s a Starbucks, quaint shops, thrift stores, restaurants and a super cool sticker shop B-SIDE LABEL 吉祥寺店 — check them out! Give your water bottle or laptop some serious drip.
2. Shimokitazawa
Looking for the ultimate hipster mecca of Tokyo? Shimokitazawa may be the winner.
About 20 minutes from Shibuya on the Inokashira Line, this is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Tokyo to visit. It’s full of vintage shops, thrift stores, cool venues and niche cafes.
I love wandering around and popping into the endless supply of second hand stores, searching for some unique clothes and souvenirs – it’s a thrifter’s paradise!
Just remember to pack like a minimalist and leave some extra space for those epically unique and random finds.
3. Koenji / Asagaya
Koenji has a similar vibe to Shimokitaza. It’s artsy and has a strong hipster aesthetic (emanating from both the streets and the people). But it’s totally different too.
It’s more retro and grunge compared to the hipster-boho-chic vibe of Shimokitazawa.
It’s full of local venues for concerts, cafes, restaurants and shopping. It’s an awesome place to spend an evening walking around and taking in the local art scene.
And right next door to Koenji (about 15 minutes by foot or train) is Asagaya.
Asagaya has some old-school Tokyo vibes and is a fun place to walk around, shop and grab some nostalgic, old-Tokyo style photos. Check out the Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street and Star Road for some good times.
4. Ueno / Ameyoko Street
Ueno is an awesome town to explore. There’s Ueno Park, which has a huge lily pad pond, temples and greenery to enjoy, and plenty of shopping, restaurants and city vibes too.
Ameyoko street is also found in this area. And this is one of my favorite spots to walk around – it hits totally different from other areas of Tokyo. Honestly, it feels more like an Asian street market than Tokyo.
It’s super diverse and is always bustling with people, street vendors and shops to explore. You can enjoy tasty street food while exploring various tiny shops packed full of shirts, shoes, goods and more. It’s fun.
Ameyoko street sits between Ueno station and Okachimachi station. I usually start from Okachimachi station, because it’s smaller and easier to find.
5. Kagurazaka
My first time visiting Kagurazaka, I was instantly hooked. With tree-lined streets, chic venues and welcoming restaurants, I almost felt embarrassed that I hadn’t been there yet (I’d been living in Tokyo for years at that point).
I mean, how could I have missed this gem?? Well, I’m here to make sure you don’t.
Kagurazaka is about 20 minutes from Shinjuku (by train) on the Chūō-Sōbu Line and about a four-minute walk from Iidabashi station (which has some cool ‘bioarchitectural’ metal flowers outside one of the entrances/exits for the Toei Ōedo Line).
Kagurazaka is described as a stylish traditional district, with narrow alleyways paved in stones, inspired by the Edo period. It’s the perfect place to get lost strolling around before stopping into a random shop for some food.
6. Jiyūgaoka
Jiyūgaoka has such an awesome vibe. It’s stylish, relaxing and aesthetic – the perfect place to stroll around for an afternoon.
There are tons of cafes, boutiques and restaurants, like Monsoon Cafe Jiyūgaoka, Rusa Ruka pancake shop and Jiyūgaoka Burger. So I’d recommend spending at least the afternoon there to do some shopping, have some lunch and then grab a coffee or a drink.
Some areas give off a European/Venice vibe, such as the La Vita area, and others are great for strolling and shopping, like Marie Claire Street.
7. Omotesando
Omotesando is a super cool spot. It’s also easy to access other popular areas in Tokyo.
It sits right next to Takeshita street (if you like kawaii culture), Meiji shrine and Yoyogi park (towards the top of the hill and next to Harajuku station). So when you visit Omotesando, you can knock out a few itinerary items all at once.
For shopping, there’s Omotesando Hills, which is great for luxury shopping and cool architecture. There’s also always a giant mascot floating in the center of the mall, which is great for pictures and a general vibe.
Outside of the mall, you can find tons of shops and side streets to explore. And if you’re visiting Tokyo during the New Year’s, you can see some pretty cool illuminations here.
8. Ginza / Yurakucho
I used to work in the Ginza/Yurakucho area (they sit right next to each other). And I always loved strolling around and window shopping.
I say window shopping because Ginza is mostly full of luxury brands and high-end shops. BUT, there are still affordable spots, like the flagship UNIQLO store, which is definitely worth checking out!
If you’re in the area, you’ll want to also check out Ginza Five, GINZA SIX shopping complex and the area around Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan shopping mall (which is the building I used to work in).
There are also cool bars and restaurants underneath the train tracks near Yurakucho station – perfect for an evening drink.
TIP: It’s easier to explore this area by using Yurakucho station (over Ginza station). The super-convenient Yamanote line stops there and the station is also above ground, unlike Ginza (making it much easier to find).
9. Daikanyama
Daikanyama was one of the first towns I heard about when moving to Tokyo as an English teacher. But it took me years to actually visit. Now, it’s one of my favorite spots.
Like Omotesando and Ginza, Daikanyama is also fancy. It’s perfect if you love that fresh, boutique aesthetic.
It’s my last (but favorite) fancy schmancy place on this list. It’s well worth a trip. So throw on that chic outfit and spend an afternoon or evening in Daikanyama.
10. Asakusa
Asakusa is a touristy area, no doubt about that. But it’s still a cool spot to check out! It’s probably most known for the famous Buddhist temple Sensō-ji and the Nakamise shopping street right behind it.
But there are also lots of restaurants and attractions to explore in the area (like kimono wearing).
It’s also a popular spot to see the Sumida River Fireworks (Sumidagawa fireworks) during the summer. But if you do go for these, just be prepared for insane crowds (so show up early and maybe wait a bit before rushing to the trains to leave).
11. Odaiba
Odaiba is a super cool spot to spend the day in. It sits in Tokyo bay and it’s technically an artificial island, which is pretty interesting!
Odaiba is famous for the Odaiba Marine Park, the Rainbow Bridge, museums and game centers, a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a Life-Sized UNICORN GUNDAM Statue.
If you’re planning a visit (and like walking), I recommend walking across the rainbow bridge, which is one of my favorite things to do in Tokyo.
12. Jinbōchō
Okay, so Jinbōchō doesn’t immediately stand out as one of the “coolest” Tokyo neighborhoods. But it does have some unique and noteworthy things going for it.
There are tons of snowboard and skateboard shops (which I love), lots of old vintage Japanese book stores and some music stores too. Plus, the town is known for its curry.
I always go there when I feel like perusing new snowboard gear (or pretending I can read a Japanese book lol).
So if you love these adrenaline sports like me (or curry), Jinbōchō is worth the trip.
13. Kamakura / Enoshima
Okay, so Kamakura isn’t technically in Tokyo, but it is super close and an easy day trip to take. Plus, no Tokyo trip would be complete without seeing Kamakura! It’s a staple and a super cool town to see.
Beachside vibes mix perfectly with cultural cornerstones – like the large buddha statue, Kotoku in, and the famous Enoshima Electric Railway train.
And while visiting Kamakura, don’t forget to see Enoshima island. You can walk across the Enoshima Benten Bridge to get there. This is actually my favorite thing to do in Kamakura.
Enoshima island is an awesome hike with a temple, restaurants, stores and caves to explore. You can get some epic views of Mt. Fuji and the ocean here.
But that’s all I’ve got for you in this list! If you’re looking for some more inspiration, check out my post on the best unique things to do in Tokyo!
Otherwise, later ✌️
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