Shimokitazawa Guide - Vintage Shopping, Coffee, Traditional Festivals & more!

Shimokitazawa -- often shortened to Shimokita -- is a trendy, bohemian neighborhood just a few train stops from central Tokyo. The narrow streets here are stuffed with vintage clothing shops, quirky cafes, healthy and vegan food, live houses, indie fashion outlets, and artist studios. It's an oasis for creative types, as well as cheapos looking to snag some bargains.
Read our full area guide here: tokyocheapo.com/locations/wes...
Also mentioned in this video
Ballon D'essai Coffee Ballon D'essai: tokyocheapo.com/restaurant/ba...
Mustard hotel: tokyocheapo.com/accommodation...
Awa odori festival: tokyocheapo.com/events/shimok...
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Thrift & Vintage Shopping
2:21 Antique & Vinyl Shopping
3:43 Coffee and Vegan Food
5:50 Mustard Hotel
7:05 Bonus Track
8:26 Shimokitazawa Festivals
★★★ TokyoCheapo ★★★
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★★★ Credits ★★★
Intro sequence by the most talented Peter Laugesen
Creative commons images used in the intro:
* Gundam Robot Statue in Odaiba www.flickr.com/photos/picsofl...
* Japanese Salaryman Asleep www.flickr.com/photos/istolet...
* Domestic Cat commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Us...
* Saraninman commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Us...
* Wild Cat www.geograph.org.uk/profile/34298
* Ginza Holiday Promenade www.flickr.com/photos/yoshika...
* Shibuya Crossing www.flickr.com/photos/3102986...

[@tokyocheapo]

Have you heard of Tokyo's trendy neighbourhood, Shimokitazawa? Join Chris and Aimee (@royandaimee) as they explore the narrow streets filled with vintage clothing shops, vegan eateries and great cafes. Is Shimokita on your list when you visit Tokyo? Let us know!

[@terencesilva4499]

Does Kyoto and osaka have street like this to?

[@Pbairsoftman]

I adore Shimokitazawa, such a great little neighborhood.

[@DownTheDrainOutoorssince2013]

Super helpful video. My Fiance and I are currently wokring on planning our honeymoon! You've made our choice of where to stay in Tokyo much easier!

[@josecarlosbarrosogadelhane8169]

Just great, very informative and on point.

[@tokyocheapo]

Thank you for your lovely comment and for watching!

[@Lauzangular]

I really liked this video and I find Aimee and Chris very calming to watch 🥰 I have been wondering if I should visit Shimokitazawa on my next trip and I think I will after this video!

[@TScalibrate]

I only now just discovered this place thanks to your video.
7:06 the two dancing off is the best part!
Can't wait to finally visit Japan this May

[@tokyocheapo]

Haha glad you enjoyed our dancing and the video! Hope you have a great trip in May!

[@dickwintered]

Love, love, love Shimokita! Such a great vibe and so relaxing. The only downside is most of the vintage stores have jacked up their prices as they know people flock there for shopping :(

[@tokyocheapo]

Yeah, there are definitely less cheap stores than there once was. Koenji is a good area to look at if you've had too much of Shimokita.

[@richardwilliams877]

Thanks for highlighting! What a cute lil area! 😱
Definately going to drop by here next time I visit Japan :D

[@tokyocheapo]

Have fun 😊

[@johanneszhengdu4625]

Watching this right after finishing Bocchi the rock! What a perfect timing! :))

[@uvu1282]

Can't believe they made an entire city based on the anime!

[@ed_cmntonly]

​​@@uvu1282 for real they went so hard making this i respect aki hamaji for this effort

[@hikkipedia]

thanks so much!

[@ukgladiatorsfan]

I’m going to be in Japan in less than 35 days and you had me at cheap records!

[@Little_Duck_]

Thank you for the vegan options!!!

[@tokyocheapo]

You're so welcome!

[@ThisMusicIsToogood]

I've heard of Shomokitzawa for the vintage clothes shops and a bar there I want to visit when I go to Japan next month. I also booked Yuen Bettei onsen near by for a night. After this video I really can't wait to check out the vibe of the place more, I may even have to add another night here. I was going to change a hotel night to the Mustard hotel too, so maybe I'll actually do that.
Basically it's the Shoreditch (London) / Williamsburg (NYC), Mission (San Fran) of Tokyo/Japan?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there, thanks for watching! Not sure about NYC and San Fran, but yes you could describe it a little like Shoreditch 😊 Some say Shimokita has changed a bit in recent years but if you’re coming for the vintage shops and bars, hopefully you should still find a lot that interests you!

[@robertwolff3221]

"Idiots Savant" in Shimo is a great bar.

[@edvhollywood4544]

Thanks , for the last 15 years I’ve been shopping thrift stores then get rid of them if I travel, I’m a nomad and On my way! To japan.

[@verreal]

It's lacking the answer to a bit of essential info on the hotel: price, and can you get a private toilet or shower? But it's good to see the updated situation there since they completed the railroad renovation.

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! Thanks for the comment. Some of our staff stayed at Mustard hotel for a few days and the price was around 8000 - 14000 yen depending on the day for 2 people with a private room and private bathroom. Hope this helps!

[@farahathiqah8174]

hi, what time is open & closed?

[@tokyocheapo]

Shimokitazawa is a very casual and relaxed district and most cafes and shops don’t open until 11:00 a.m. or even later. You’ll also find that many places are closed on Tuesdays.

[@travelshorts7216]

Beautiful video...I wish Tokyo cheapo also covered speciality food like Halal food for Muslims in Tokyo.

[@tokyocheapo]

Thank you for the suggestion! That's an important topic to cover for visitors to Tokyo.

[@user-ov4wr5yu4r]

Wasn't Stickout 700 yen before? 😢

[@tokyocheapo]

It was! It's gone up 100 yen

[@richardtaylor1255]

Smoke your brains out at the Shisha or get drunk in one of the many bars too

[@juliusdelacruz7549]

Kokeshi dolls, toys for lonely ladies?

[@richardtaylor1255]

Why are the presenters talking like 5 year olds ?

[@tinaeliseyreskleiv9453]

millenials