Good addresses in Shimokitazawa

Do you like to hunt? Shimokitazawa , to the west of the city, is full of vintage shops . Although much quieter than its neighbor Shibuya , Shimokitazawa is also a landmark for trendy young Tokyoites .

Yet here, there are no giant pedestrian crossings or outsized advertising screens, but rather a maze of small streets where there are a jumble of vintage clothing boutiques, small restaurants and very Instagrammable coffee shops.

Vintage clothing and accessories

On the main street, a stone's throw from the north exit of Shimokitazawa station, it is especially the vintage clothing shops that attract attention. If we had to recommend a few: ３びきの子ねこ, which offers very original pieces, Haight and Ashbury , with a sharp selection, and Flamingo for its selection of accessories.

The stocks are sometimes made up of western clothes but if you take the time to dig a little, some nuggets are well hidden. For Japanese pieces, it is advisable to try them on before going to checkout, it is not easy to find your way around with the sizes. Especially for pants, whose leg length is not always the same as those of our French (or American) jeans.

See also: Cheap shopping in Japan

The craze for vintage objects

But Shimokitazawa doesn't just specialize in vintage clothing. You will also find many consignment stores and other small flea markets in the area. Inside: old movie posters, tableware and retro Japanese figurines. What to bring back original memories and full of history at home! Some stores even specialize in vinyl . If you look carefully, you will find Japanese classics, stored next to the hits of Sylvie Vartan or France Gall, exotic!

Finally, and as in many big cities, coffee shops are opening their doors in the Japanese capital. The (persistent) rumor has it that Bear Pond , tucked away on a side street in Shimokitazawa, is the best in the megacity. Do not hesitate to go and test!

Some addresses:

vintage clothes

• ３びきの子ねこ: 〒155-0031 Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−25−8
• Haight and Ashbury: 〒155-0031 Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−2−37-2 パラツィーナ
• Flamingo: 〒155-0031 Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−25, 北沢2-25-12リサビル1F

Flea markets and vinyl shop

• Vinyl store: 〒155-0031 Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, 4 Chome−17
• Flea and consignment: Tokyo retro 〒155-0031 Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, 3 Chome−34−2

Cafes and restaurants

• Bear Pond: 〒155-0031 Tokyo-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, ２丁目36-12
• Nomin Cafe (vegetarian restaurant with heated terrace): 〒155-0031 Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Kitazawa, ２丁目27−8

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