Daniel Okada20 April 20262 min read
The famous crossings are worth seeing once. The city people actually live in is two stops away in almost every direction.
Nakameguro
A canal lined with low buildings, independent shops and small restaurants. Best in the early evening, walking the water with no destination.
Shimokitazawa
Vintage clothing, tiny live-music rooms and the closest Tokyo comes to a village atmosphere within the loop.
Kōenji
Record shops, standing bars and an unbothered attitude. A good place to end up without a reservation.
Yanaka
Old-town Tokyo: temples, cemeteries, cats and craft shops. Quiet by ten, which is part of the appeal.
Kagurazaka
Sloping stone lanes with a French-Japanese double life and some of the city's most pleasant walking after dark.
