In this article, we will introduce some of Tokyo’s lesser-known hidden spots that have a different charm from famous major tourist attractions! Check out this list of hidden gems such as shopping streets and gardens where you can feel the unique Japanese atmosphere.
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Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street (谷中銀座商店街)
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street is the perfect spot for those who want to eat and walk around. Located near Nippori Station, this retro shopping street is lined with about 60 stores. We recommend sharing a variety of gourmet foods with your friends while walking through the shopping street. The shopping arcade, with its relaxed atmosphere unique to downtown, is a photogenic place, and is also known as a “cat town” because of the many stray cats that live in the alleys. This is also the reason why there are cat motifs all over the shopping street.
Check out our one day trip article!
Kagurazaka (神楽坂)
Kagurazaka is the main street representing the area in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. While there are traditional views that have remained since the Edo period, the area is a fashionable area with an increasing number of stylish Italian and French restaurants and hideaways, combining the good old with a modern atmosphere. There is an abundance of cafes, general merchandise stores, kappo restaurants, taverns, bars, and a variety of other restaurants of all genres. You will never get bored just strolling around. If you find a restaurant that interests you while exploring the maze of narrow alleys, be sure to stop by!
Also check out our article on a one-day trip to the Kagurazaka area!
Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street (巣鴨地蔵通り商店街)
While Harajuku, famous as a center of fashion and trends, is a popular shopping area especially for young people, Sugamo is known as “Grandma’s Harajuku” and is especially loved by older people while having the same lively atmosphere as Harajuku.
The Sugamo Jizo Dori Shopping Street is a shopping street with about 200 stores and stretches for about 800 meters. The warm atmosphere of the locals and the shopping street will warm your heart. Enjoy strolling through the shopping street with its unique local atmosphere while eating and drinking!
Check out other recommended spots in the Sugamo area!
Toyo Bunko Museum (東洋文庫ミュージアム)
The Toyo Bunko Museum is located about a 10-minute walk from Komagome Station. The Toyo Bunko Museum, the oldest research library of oriental studies in Japan, is the largest library of its kind in Japan and one of the five largest in the world. Visitors can view approximately one million volumes, including five national treasures and seven important cultural properties.
The most famous of the Toyo Bunko’s many collections is the “Morrison Collection,” and its greatest attraction is the 24,000 bookshelves lining the walls, a spectacular sight! Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. There is also a café and museum store.
Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮庭園)
Hamarikyu Gardens has a long history, dating back to the Edo period. Visitors to Hama Rikyu Gardens will see traditional Japanese garden styles such as the only seawater pond in Tokyo and the “duck place” used to lure ducks to the garden. There are also flower gardens, teahouses, and a variety of other attractions for those who are interested in visiting. The natural beauty of Hamarikyu Gardens is the perfect spot for those who want to spend a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Kiyosumi Gardens (清澄庭園)
Kiyosumi Garden is a Japanese garden in the style, where visitors can walk around the pond and enjoy the scenery at their leisure. Stones are placed around the pond where wild birds play, and the pond is designed so that visitors can cross it, allowing them to enjoy a dynamic view close to the water’s surface. Deeply connected to the history and culture of the area, Kiyosumi Garden remains an oasis of greenery in oldtown Tokyo.
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