Shimokitazawa — often shortened to Shimokita — is a laid-back neighborhood just a few train stops from central Tokyo. The narrow streets here are stuffed with vintage clothing shops, cafés, live houses, boutique fashion outlets, independent theaters, and artist studios. It’s an oasis for creative types and cheapos looking to snag some bargains.
In fact, because of the extremely high hip-to-yen value ratio, we once voted Shimokita as the #1 neighborhood for cheapos to live in Tokyo.
Pro tip: If you need help working out where to go, then check out this private shopping tour. There’s also this Shimokita tour, where the guide will not just take you to clothes shops but record stores and a café.
Where is Shimokitazawa?
Shimokitazawa is a neighborhood in Setagaya, a large residential ward to the west of Shibuya. It is just a few stops from the major train stations Shibuya (Keio Inokashira Line) and Shinjuku (Odakyu Line).
What’s new in Shimokitazawa?
Regular visitors to Shimokita will know that there always seems to be construction going on. The new bus station in front of the train station is all but open, but, for the time being, it’s mostly being used as a space for weekend markets and other seasonal events.
In addition to other bigger developments like Mikan, Tefu Lounge, Bonus Track, and the seemingly ever-changing Reload, smaller additions have popped up, too, like NAT Records from Shinjuku, who have moved in near the station.
As always, there’s a handful of new thrift stores like the pay-per-pound Straight From LA, and a new sushi train across from Don Quijote. And with the demolition of the Peacock building near the station, we can expect new developments there in the near future.
What is Shimokitazawa like?
Shimokitazawa was originally a farming community, and to this day it hasn’t lost its laid-back attitude — despite its close proximity to some of the busiest parts of Tokyo.
Fashion and music
Shimokitazawa is considered a fashionable area, but in an unpretentious way: think vintage band tees and skate shoes as opposed to the high-end brands you’d find in Ginza or Aoyama.
It’s best known as a popular and affordable shopping and live music area. Shimokita ranks among Tokyo’s best spots for thrift shopping and vintage clothes, with more than a few well-known vintage clothing chains, such as Chicago and Flamingo, as well as many smaller independent shops like Jarmusch or Link Ray.
If you’re into vintage fashion and find yourself in Osaka instead, check out our guide to everything vintage in Osaka.
Theater and comedy
It’s not just music and fashion, though. Home to a bunch of underground theaters and comedy bars, on any given day, you’ll see a new production loading in, or catch comedians promoting their upcoming set and rehearsing lines.
Festivals and food
In summer, the neighborhood returns to its more traditional roots with popular events like the Shimokitazawa Bon Dance Festival and Awa Odori Festival.
As for the local food scene — once known as a sushi town, curry is now the neighborhood food of choice, with the town hosting its annual curry festival each October.
From mid-September until early October, you’ll find the town filled with art installations and a giant moon for its annual Moon Art Night festival.
What to see and do in Shimokitazawa
One of the best things to do in Shimokitazawa is wander through the streets, stopping in anywhere that sparks interest. In addition to secondhand clothing stores, there are excellent record shops, cafes, restaurants, and markets on the weekends — particularly in Senrogai Open Space.
The newer retail developments like Reload and Bonus Track also offer browsing options, and on any given night, you can wander into a random gig, jam session, play, or snack bar. Local favorites include music venues like Basement Bar and bar spaces like what you’ll find around The Suzunari.
Check out our article on things to do in Shimokitazawa for even more ideas.
Is Shimokitazawa a good place to stay?
Given its easy access to both Shinjuku and Shibuya, Shimokitazawa can be a great place to stay. Especially if you’re looking for an area that’s a bit more laid-back but still offers plenty of food and nightlife options. Unfortunately, there aren’t actually that many hotels or hostels in the area. Luckily for you, though, we’ve done the groundwork and can recommend Mustard Hotel Shimokitazawa .
Where and what to eat in Shimokitazawa
Here’s what to eat and drink in Shimo:
Coffee
Independent coffee shops are the go-to in Shimokita. You’ll find them all over the neighborhood, each with its own unique atmosphere. Keep in mind that most of these places are quite small, so they’re more suited for individuals or small groups of two or three. If you need somewhere with more space, Sidewalk coffee at Mustard Hotel and Brooklyn Roasters near the station have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
Curry
The town specialty is curry, and you can pretty much find any type you can think of, from traditional Indian and Nepalese curry to Japanese katsu curry and coup curry. For other international offerings, Mikan is home to a range of Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants (among others) and a popular bakery.
Snacks and food trucks
For quick bites, you’ll also find restaurants selling tacos, pizza, and kebabs dotted throughout the streets, complemented by casual Japanese classics like takoyaki and ramen. You’ll also almost always find food trucks at Senrogai Open Space serving up things like Cuban sandwiches, taco rice, sausages, and Japanese sweets like dango. In general, food prices are reasonable — you can get a vegan donut for ¥340, or a curry and naan set for around ¥1,000.
Nightlife and entertainment in Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa is not known for its nightlife in the way that Shibuya or Roppongi are, but it still has its fair share of things to do. There are plenty of small izakaya, cocktail bars, music bars, and snack bars tucked away in the narrow streets, so you can definitely make a night of it.
There are also more than a handful of small live music venues, fringe theaters, and karaoke places like Maneki Neko, Mokomoko, and Karaokekan.
Shopping in Shimokitazawa
Shopping in Shimokitazawa is all about vintage and thrifting. You don’t come to Shimokitazawa for brand-name clothing; however, if you’re willing to put in some elbow grease and dig through the racks, there’s a chance you’ll find a treasure.
The thrifting nature of shopping in Shimokita also extends to other things like records and even antiques. Disk Union and Jet Set are popular go-tos for records, and from antique furniture to books and random trinkets, Tokyo Recycle, Bibibi, and Antique Life Jin have more than enough to keep you covered.
How to get to and from Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa Station can be reached via the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station (10 minutes) and the Keio Inokashira Line from Shibuya Station (6 minutes); on both lines, all trains (including express and special express) stop at Shimokitazawa Station.
Note that because they are owned by different railway companies, the lines have different entrances, exits, and ticket gates. So when you’re heading home, make sure to enter the correct part of the station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lingering questions?
Is Shimokitazawa a cheap place to stay?
Since Shimokita is a popular neighborhood to visit, it’s close to central Tokyo, and there aren’t many accommodation options there, it’s not the cheapest place to stay. That said, you can usually get a room at Mustard Hotel for around ¥20,000.
Is Shimokitazawa good for vintage clothing?
With more vintage stores than you can shake a stick at, it certainly is a go-to spot for vintage finds. Is it the cheapest place to go for vintage clothing, though? Not necessarily. You’ll definitely pay a premium at certain places, especially if you’re after rare vintage band or movie tees. Depending on what you’re after, though, if you look in the right place, it’s possible to find a bargain.
Is Shimokitazawa a walkable area?
Yes, definitely — especially since the Odakyu Line has gone underground. Getting from the top of Shimokitazawa, basically the Ichibangai shopping street, to the bottom of Shimokitazawa, towards Sangenjaya, could take you less than 20 minutes if you were in a rush. That said, with limited traffic on the roads and many streets closed to traffic on weekends, it’s easy to take your time, wander from shop to shop, and take it all in.
