Other Interesting Neighborhoods in Tokyo
One thing I love about Tokyo is how much there is to take in while just walking around the city, even when there’s no particular attraction to see. The three neighborhoods below are great places to visit without any plans.
Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa oozes cool. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to spend your day hanging out at little cafes and browsing indie shops for clothes, records, and tchotchkes.
The layout of the neighborhood itself is a little maze-like; you’ll probably get a little lost but you also probably won’t mind. The area has lots of alleys too narrow for motor vehicles, which means that you can walk wherever you want without worrying about traffic.
Click here to compare prices for hotels in Shimokitazawa
Akihabara
Famed for its electronic stores, Akihabara is geek heaven. Other things of note: maid cafes, manga and anime stores, and video game shops. Akihabara Hokoten (pedestrian paradise) is held every Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. (until 6 p.m. from April to September).
Click here to compare prices for hotels in Akihabara
Sugamo
This is not a common tourist destination, but that’s exactly why I went. When I visited, I mostly only saw old Japanese ladies. This neighborhood is not known as “Old Ladies’ Harajuku” for nothing.
Old people flock to Sugamo to visit Koganji Temple, where there’s a statue that is said to have healing powers. Shops that cater to the elderly line the Jizo-dori street from the train station to the temple, selling clothes and food items at reasonable prices.
The area is also equipped with conveniences for older people. For example, there are plenty of seats along the street and signs pointing to the nearest defibrillator machines in case a heart attack happens.
Loved it! We’ll be in Tokyo next week, very handy! Thanks!
You’re welcome! Have fun in Tokyo. :)
This is super helpful with ideas and maps! This is going to help us big time in how to spend our time in Tokyo! Thanks so much for putting this together!
My pleasure, Megan! I did so much research for my own trip to Tokyo that it would’ve been a waste to not write it all down and share it. :)
I absolutely love your guide and will follow it during my stay in Tokyo next August. All the best in the world for you :)
Thank you, Paulina! Glad you like it! :)
Hello, I love you blog. How many hours did it take to visit places in 1 neighborhood? For example, all the places you mentioned to visit in Shibuya. I am going to Japan next week for 4 days. Thank you :)
Hi Leanna, I’m not sure if this will reach you in time, but it depends. The route in Shinjuku, for example, would take a whole day, especially if you go shopping or sit at a bar for a couple of hours. For me the other routes take maybe half a day, so I could do two neighborhoods if I spend the entire day exploring. It gets tiring though, so bring good walking shoes!
Thank you for this guide !
It will be very useful :)
Glad to have helped! :)