CREDIT: KO SASAKI FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
The New York Times recently noted that Shimokitazawa is considered by many to be Tokyo's "coolest neighborhood": "The low-key neighborhood of Shimokitazawa in western Tokyo is only one express-train stop from the sensory excesses of chaotic Shibuya — imagine Times Square, amplified — but it’s a world away in spirit. The area, locally called Shimokita, is populated by hip young Tokyoites drawn by the relaxed, small-town atmosphere that makes the neighborhood an anomaly in this bustling megalopolis. The narrow streets are easy to navigate and dense with local businesses, including a high concentration of vintage shops, unusual specialty stores and small boutiques stocked with wares from young artists and artisans."
Do you love Shimokita? What other Tokyo neighborhoods have won your heart? Share your treasures in the Comments section!