Shimokitazawa is just one stop away on the express train from Shibuya, and when you arrive you’ll find a mix of small, independent businesses, vinyl record shops, quaint cafés and more curry restaurants than you can imagine. While some neighborhoods in Tokyo are livelier on weekends than on weekdays, there are no off-days for the nooks on these streets that come alive past 9pm into the early hours of the morning. But what’s really worth your time is the hands-on activities you can do, including striking a pose at the Paralympic podium and filming yourself jumping over hurdles. Inside, it’s a very curated look into the Kusama cosmos, with the fourth floor dedicated to changing installations and the rooftop featuring even more artwork. Entry is free and you can even spot Mt Fuji on the horizon on clear days.
Begin in Shibuya, watching the crowds at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing before exploring the shops. Finish the day overlooking the stunning night scenery at one of the city’s high-rise bars. Japanese cuisine is world famous so try your hand at learning to make some dishes by taking a cooking class. Ramen is a cheap option, with chain store Ichiran famous for its solo dining booths. Tokyo doesn’t just have the advantage of being one of the safest cities in the world; its people are busy, so many establishments are geared to solo customers. With high-end retail and quirky fashion, Michelin-star dining and hidden cafes, modern skyscrapers and tiny shrines, the city is a place of contrasts.
As tech lovers, we always leave this shop with a few new gaja vip pieces… smartphone cases, USB desk gadgets, massage guns. It’s the largest BicCamera in Japan, with NINE floors of the quirkiest, most absurd tech you can imagine. It’s worth a visit on its own, with 12 storeys of the world’s largest selection of this iconic Japanese brand. But they also have major flagship stores here, like the Uniqlo one. And we say that as two people who are very much not into upscale shopping. The ground floor is always the most touristy.