Tokyo, Japan

Galleries

21 21 Design Sight - Roppongi 

Yayoi Kusama Museum - Shinjuku 

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum - Omotesando  

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Museum of Art - Ebisu 

Photographic Museum - Ebisu 

National Museum of Modern Art  

3331 Arts Chiyoda – great as a co-working space as well 

(walk to SyuRo if you’re in the area, really charming store) 

The National Art Centre - Roppongi  

Day Trips from Tokyo

Hakone Open Air Museum 

Kamakura 

Taro Okamoto Museum of Art – Tama-ku, Kawasaki 

Lake Kawaguchi, hire a bike and visit an onsen

Areas to visit / SHIMOKITAZAWA

Eat 

Andrea Crepe’s Iconic pink and white crepe hut completely worn out and covered in old Disney paraphernalia 

Cuore Forte Funky Italian wine bar if you’re over Japanese. You could even just pop in  here for a glass and some cheese! Or head to La Befana for pizza 

Guerrero Pizza If you’re up for slightly more of an adventure, this is one of my favourite finds in Shimo! 

Shirube  A great introductory izakaya! Most of the staff speak English and they have an English menu. Plus you  can find all the popular izakaya food items done really well

Avocado café (Madosh!) Go to see the chairs! The curries are pretty delicious too. 

Anjali Indian 

Cool young Japanese guy running this place, and great GREAT Indian curries.  Young Curry 

Quite heavy Japanese curries but oh so good. You can add an egg and cheese for a little extra. Trust  me on the cheese thing. 

Nōmin Café (yoga café)  

Great vegetarian café serving fresh lunches  

The cage/ Long Vá Quán Vietnamese restaurant  

If the weather is nice, have a drink in the cage next to this yummy restaurant. Dinner here is recom mended too! The cage often has market stalls during the day, so it’s worth wandering by. 

Inning+ 

GLUTEN FREE GALORE! GF muffins if you’re in need. Or they do an amazing curry!

Drink 

Frankie Melbourne Espresso 

Get your fill of allpress beans here. This café is owned by and Australian but all staff are Japanese  staff. Actually, one of Toby’s ex students from Melbourne happens to work here! Ask if Mayumi is  around and say hi from us. Her English is perfect. 

Bear Pond Espresso 

People line up for this place. Toby said the guy is a bit rude, but apparently it’s a must. I’m off coffee  so can’t speak from experience, unfortunately! 

Little Soul Café 

Next door to Cuore Forte and up the stairs you’ll find a bar with wall to wall records. Fun funk and  soul tunes 

City Country City (closed on Wednesdays) 4th floor 

Great for a drink! Sometimes it’s hard just to find a bar around. You can also stay for dinner; they have  a few pasta options. Records for sale too! 

The Tree Bars (our name, not theirs) 

I have no idea what these are called, but if you head for the Shimokitzawa Hospital (kind of feels like  you’re leaving the buzz of the main area) diagonally across is a building with a set of stairs leading up  to the right. Underneath the stairs is the entrance to a small collection of tiny bars. You’ll see a fake  tree, and know you’re in the right spot. Have a wander through them. Super fun on the weekend to  see who wanders inside. The later here the better otherwise it’s pretty quite.  

One of our favourite local places to eat is on this street. All the signs are Kanji and we’ve never learnt  the name. It’s almost diagonally across the street from the bars (same side of the hospital and to the  right). It’s the last building before the corner turns and you see a little Koban (police box). They have  an English menu here! Get the fried chicken set (kaarage) and ask for the tartar sauce on the side.  

Shop 

Book and Beer 

You can spend ages in this bookshop. It’s beautiful! And there’s a big table where you can get drinks  and sit, sipping while flicking through your finds.  

Vintage stores 

There are lots of vintage stores to check out in Shimo. If you’re looking for designer/consignment  stores try Rinkan and ragtag – conveniently on the same street.

FONDUE Recovery (Pilates) beautiful new studio offering Mat Pilates. It will burn!

The Space (Yoga) co-working, yoga and really interesting workshops 

Esthetic Spa Uluwatu treat yourself from your head to your toes

Western Wellness Centre (Physical Therapy) not to be dramatic, but Rozaliia changed my life. If you find yourself needing some holiday physio or have had ongoing pains, she cuts to the core of the issue and is so amazing at explaining the cause. Worth a visit to leave with some useful information, stretching homework and not to mention, having had a great sports massage