[Shimokitazawa Stroll] 15 Popular Tourist and Outing Spots! From Deep Areas to Trendy Revitalized Shopping Streets.

Shimokitazawa is a neighborhood known for its deep culture. This area, perfect for couples in their 20s and 30s, is evolving into a unique blend of nostalgic shopping streets and trendy spots created through redevelopment.

In this guide, TOKYO LOCAL introduces 15 recommended outing spots in Shimokitazawa, including shopping for second-hand clothes with your partner, enjoying street food, and exploring the latest attractions in newly opened commercial facilities.,

You can also visit Shimokitazawa’s theaters and live houses, where you can feel the passion of young people chasing their dreams and enjoy a culturally enriching day.

Of course, we’ll also highlight the famous curry spots in Shimokitazawa.

For your next holiday, why not go on a date in Shimokitazawa, exploring both old and new cultures with your loved one?

The Suzunari

The Suzunari is a small theater located on Chazawa Street, dedicated to plays.

This space, combining bars, dormitories, and theaters, embodies the eclectic and charming atmosphere of Shimokitazawa as imagined by contemporary people.

The theater is known for hosting a variety of performances, from underground plays to comedy shows, featuring both young actors and experienced performers.

The close proximity between the audience and the actors offers an immersive theatrical experience.

It opened before the famous Honda Theater and is known for its retro exterior, which is also a highlight.

Mikan Shimokita

Opened in July 2022, Mikan Shimokita is a commercial facility located under the railway tracks, a short walk from the Inokashira Line’s central ticket gate.

The 5-story facility includes not only restaurants but also second-hand shops, accessory stores, coworking spaces, and offices. It offers a unique, eclectic atmosphere.

Ahe facility is divided into five areas (A to E), allowing plenty of space for sightseeing and strolling

It’s a perfect spot for both newcomers and those who haven’t visited Shimokitazawa recently.

Shimokita Ekiue

Shimokita Ekiue is a commercial facility located directly above the southwest exit of Shimokitazawa Station.

It is a station-connected building primarily featuring restaurants.

This facility is conveniently located right above the station, making it perfect for rainy days when you don’t want to carry an umbrella.

The building is designed with a clean, simple structure surrounding a central atrium, making it a comfortable and pleasant space. It’s a great place for those who are not keen on Shimokitazawa’s often chaotic atmosphere.

You can enjoy meals such as Thai food or coffee at Starbucks.

It’s also ideal for everyday visits. The facility’s cute illustrations are a nice touch.

Facility is equipped with clean bathrooms.

reload

Reload is a unique commercial facility that opened in June 2021, located on the former railway land of Shimokitazawa.

The concept of Reload is “circulation and staying, with the theme of “individual shops where you can see the face of the store owner.”

The two-story building includes bars, second-hand shops, restaurants, a bookstore, and even a barber shop for men. It offers a great experience for shopping, dining, and more.

The facility also has an event space, with pop-up shops held periodically. When in Shimokitazawa, don’t forget to stop by and explore!

Shimokita Senrogai Akichi (Railway Land Vacant Lot)

This is a vast vacant lot created on the former railway land of the Odakyu Line, divided into areas such as grass fields, event areas, and food areas.

The concept here is a “free playground,” where visitors can relax, watch live performances, purchase food and drinks from food trucks, and enjoy various activities.

It’s a great place to either participate in events or host your own, making it a fun and dynamic space for creative ideas.

This is a dream space where many possibilities are available, so consider stopping by and exploring.

BONUS TRACK

BONUS TRACK is a new space in Shimokitazawa, opened in 2020. Here, you can shop at various tenant stores, enjoy delicious lunch, or relax at a cafe.

The most popular spot is “Kayu and Sake ANDON,” where you can enjoy authentic porridge in the morning. It has become a local favorite and a popular destination for visitors to Shimokitazawa.

The facility also hosts weekend events such as pop-up shops and markets, so be sure to visit during your next date!

Shimokitazawa Tollywood

Located in Shimokitazawa, this is a compact, movie theater well-known among trendy people.

Due to its rare film screenings, many actors secretly visit here.

The compact size of the theater is one of its charms. During stage greetings or talk shows, you can be close to the actors and directors, which is a key reason for its popularity.

The stylish exterior is also wonderful, and it’s exciting even before you step inside.

While large theaters in Shinjuku and Odaiba are attractive, it’s nice to occasionally immerse yourself in deep art in Shimokitazawa.

For movie lovers, this is a theater you should definitely visit.

Toyo Department Store (Shimokita Garage Department)

This garage, located in Shimokitazawa, is a collection of well-known vintage clothing stores.

Over 20 shops, including vintage clothing and handmade jewelry, are gathered here.

This spot is one of the must-visit places in Shimokitazawa.

You can find everything from extremely cheap vintage clothes to rare vintage items.

If you’re a fashionable couple, you might end up spending the whole day here. You can either find your favorite outfit or enjoy window shopping for vintage clothes.

Honda Theater

A private theater dedicated to performing arts in Shimokitazawa, a town known for its theaters.

It is one of the largest theaters in Shimokitazawa, which is filled with small venues.

At this theater, you can watch performances from famous actors as well as small theater troupes.

The genres are not limited to theater; you can also enjoy comedy live shows and rakugo (Japanese storytelling), which gives you the chance to discover new worlds you hadn’t known before.

This is a spot not only for theater fans but also for many others, so why not visit and watch a performance?

Shimokitazawa SHELTER

Shimokitazawa SHELTER is a famous live house in Shimokitazawa.

It is also the model for the popular anime Bocchi the Rock!, and many fans visit it on pilgrimage trips.

Both major and indie bands perform here, so you might find a band that suits your tastes as you keep coming back.

It is a live house that musicians dream of, and for band fans, it’s legendary, as it has hosted performances from Japan’s iconic rock bands like The Cro-Magnons, Elephant Kashimashi, and Denki Groove.

If you love band music, definitely pay a visit.

Feel the excitement of the venue, reflect on past and future music, and listen closely to the music in front of you – it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine

A famous shrine known as the guardian deity of the northern part of Setagaya.

It offers various blessings, such as for skill development, protection from misfortune, matchmaking, safe childbirth, and longevity.

This shrine is also famous for being the model of a scene in the manga Slam Dunk.

It is known as a pilgrimage site along with the Enoden railway crossing in Kamakura.

One of its highlights is the “Mount Fuji Viewing Place,” where you can see lava brought from Mount Fuji during the Edo period.

This shrine is especially recommended for those who want to fulfill their dreams in sports, music, comedy, or theater.

It’s a peaceful spot for reflection amidst the bustling streets of Shimokitazawa.

Kosyo bi bi bi

A famous used bookstore in Shimokitazawa.

It first opened in 2005 on Suzu-nari Yokocho but moved to its current location in 2009.

Not only does it specialize in rare books, but it also handles a wide variety of used books, making it a place with a broad range of genres.

In addition to major books, it has quite niche and obscure titles, so it’s a fun store to browse, even just for the experience.

The many used books packed into every corner make it a treasure trove for book lovers.

There are plenty of books you won’t find at Book Off or Amazon, waiting to be discovered.

For book enthusiasts, this is the perfect place to embark on a journey to find your favorite book.

Bookstore B&B

A new type of bookstore where you can select books while enjoying a beer.

It’s located inside BONUS TRACK.

The name is an abbreviation for “Books & Beer,” and this is precisely the theme of the store—offering both books and beer

Inside, you’ll find a range of books, including novels, essays, and practical books, and beer is available in several varieties. You can select your preferred craft beer, sourced from breweries across Japan.

There are also coffee and soft drinks available for those who are not into alcohol, so there’s something for everyone.

On a sunny day, it’s recommended to buy a beer here and enjoy reading in the shared space inside BONUS TRACK.

Nasu Oyaji

Shimokitazawa is also famous for its curry.

Among its many curry shops, Nasu Oyaji is the oldest and most loved by many.

The store has a cute signboard, making it hard to resist taking a photo.

The recommended dish is the special curry, which combines chicken, beef, and vegetables for a hearty, all-in-one experience.

Additionally, the eggplant topping is incredibly popular.

The spicy yet fruity curry pairs wonderfully with the eggplant, making it addictive.

It can get quite crowded during certain hours, so be sure to come with some extra time on your hands.

Aoi Renga (blue bricks)

A specialty store for baby castella (small sponge cakes).

It’s a perfect snack to enjoy while walking around Shimokitazawa.

It’s located right near the east exit of Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line or the central exit of Shimokitazawa Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.

When you arrive in Shimokitazawa, buy some baby castella here and enjoy walking around while eating them.

The baby castella here is moist and fluffy.

Even when it cools down, it’s still delicious.

Of course, it’s also great to buy as a souvenir on your way back.

This versatile sweet is perfect for both snacking on the go and for gifting.

Summary

We have introduced 15 recommended tourist spots in Shimokitazawa.

Have you found the place you’re looking for?

Each of these spots is truly worth recommending, so be sure to visit them when you’re in Shimokitazawa.