TOP THINGS TO DO IN SHIMOKITAZAWA
Shimokitazawa is an artsy/groovy shopping area, just 10 minutes away from Shibuya, that still retains a hippie, mellow vibe - although it has become more trendy in recent years. It's not really a tourist place, except for shopping, eating and hanging out for a while - but it's a good break from the hectic pace of Central Tokyo. See below listings for some things to do in Shimokitazwa!
WANDER AROUND
On both sides of Shimokitawa station there is a small maze of shops, cafes, eateries, and quirky places making it fun to just walk about and check the many eclectic and groovy looking shops. A surfeit of excellent restaurants and cafes make having a lunch or dinner during your visit an excellent option. The network of streets can be hard to follow, so be sure to click the map tab above!
VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOPS
There are many vintage clothing shops on almost every street and alley near Shimokitazawa station. Some places are more flashy and targeting hipsters, but the assortment of styles and fashions make just window shopping interesting. 'The Garage' just out the South side exit is a small mall of retro shops.
GAME CENTERS
Though not really a 'otaku' area, Shimokitazawa has a fair amount of game centers, some quite large, and several have retro video games. If you want to while away a little time playing a game, it's usually 100 yen a pop. Most places also have 'purikura' machines that make small photo stickers - the photos can be a fun way to memorialize your trip.
SHOE STORES
Shimokitazawa has a large number of shoe stores, both new and vintage, offering hipster styles and cutting edge fashion statement makers. As can be well observed with a short walk around, many Japanese youngsters take their shoes very very seriously.
EATING AND DRINKING
Shimokitazawa has some excellent restaurants and cafes, and you can find just about any type of cuisine. Especially popular are small independent coffee shops offering lovingly prepared coffee mixtures. Also nice are the many outdoor stands and counter eateries that dot the area.
