City Guide
Directions: Tokyo
16 August, 2023
Tokyo is the largest city in Japan and in our opinion one of the best cities in the world which means there is a lot to see and do. We have rounded up our top places to see and explore while you are in Tokyo plus some of our favourite brands.
01
Dutch pancake at Path.02
Tokyo view.BREAKFAST & COFFEE:
Path
Path is open for dinner and breakfast but if you find yourself there for breakfast we recommend ordering the dutch pancake (it's incredible).
Fuglen
If you've been to Tokyo, you've probably been here but it's really good coffee and it's actually open early.
Tractor
The owner of this cafe loved Sydney so much he made a spot inspired by an Australian Breakfast. So if your'e craving avo toast and scrambled eggs after too many salted fish breakfasts, this is your place. It even opens semi early.
03
Avo on toast at Tractor.04
Dinner at Noon.Coffee Country
A reco from a friend. Yummy coffee and food.
Kasiki
Coffee and ice cream by day, wine and ice cream by night.
Obscura Coffee Roasters
05
Curry at Ston.06
Ramen.LOW KEY FOOD:
Afuri
It might be a chain but it's a damn good one.
Ston
Curry and coffee, sounds like an odd combo but the Japanese seem to nail it. They also have a good beer offering if coffee and curry isn't the combo for you.
Noon
Tucked away in the back streets of Meguro, this cool and minimal little place blends Chinese and Vietnamese flavours. With a lovely natural wine list, cocktails and a small menu, it is one of our favourite spots.
07
The Blind Donkey.08
Toco natural wine bar.'We put our feet on the ground, feel the wind, savor the rain, and cook with the changing seasons.'
WINE, SNACKS & DINNER:
Toco
Toco is an amazing wine bar with delicious snacks - probably the best meal we had on the last trip to Tokyo so we highly recommend popping in.
Newport
Falafels and natural wine = perfect combo.
Ahiru
A little natural wine bar.
Winestand Waltz
Best spot is standing at the bar to drink whatever natural wine are being poured that night.
The Blind Donkey
Farm to table food that changes with the seasons.
09
Falafels at Newport.10
Toco.Awai Wine
With a beautiful little cellar, you can buy natural wine to take away or sit and enjoy.
Wine Shop Flow
Same as Awai, take away or dink in.
Taco Shop Ikejiri
While people attend this late at night after a few drinks, we visited early and ate delicious tacos, drank highballs and even came home with a t-shirt.
11
Tara in Tokyo.12
Wine at Awai.SHOPS:
D47
Gallery and shop by D&department.
Tsite
Tsite in Daikanyama is hands down the best bookshop in the world (also opens at 7am).
Pejite
Is like a little antique Provider Store down a side alley.
Beams
Beams in one of our favourite Japanese stores and is well worth making a browse.
YAECA
YAECA has a few stores around. They are all beautiful and sell a blend of minimal fashion and home items.
13
Tsite where we get all our Japanese mags.14
Pejite.Ragtag
Designer re-sell fashion. Expect to walk in with nothing and walk out with an Issey Miyake ensemble and some archival Comme Des Garcons.
Nepenthes
Nepenthes is a Japanese owned company that create lots of brands under its umbrella. From the likes of Needles, Engineered Garments, South 2 West 8 (to name a few), their store in Tokyo is place to take home something you won't see anywhere else in the world.
Dover street Market
DSM is like a fashion museum. It's filled with the worlds best brands and the most avant garde collections.
Close to Dover street in a place called Hibiya Central Market. On the top floor there's a Graphpaper store + a vintage homewares shop.
Bullpen Shop
Filled with local and international home goods, this little shop is one of the coolest places we have visited.
Mogi Folk Art
While we are yet to visit Mogi, it's on the top of our list for the next visit.
Harajuku
Cat street in Harajuku is the best shopping. There's one side that is filled with flashing lights and Harajuku Girls, the other side holds home to some of the worlds best brands. It's worth a day trip to spend all your money.
Tomigaya
Tomigaya is one of our favourite suburbs in Shibuya. It has a nice community feel to it and there's lots to explore around here. We would start our day at Path, followed by a little look in the Monocle Store, a peruse around Lost and Found Store, a sandwich at Camel Back, dinner at Newport, followed by a wine at Ahiru.
15
Tea Ceremony.16
YAECA Homestore.ACTIVITIES:
Nezu Museum
A diverse collection of Japanese and Asian premodern art with an amazing Japanese garden out the back.
Aelu
This gallery space has a rotating range of everyday items and art pieces, hosting monthly exhibitions. It is actually a ceramic store set out like a musesum. Aelu may be hard to find but it's worth the visit.
Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi park is a great spot for a morning run or walk.
Tea Ceremony
Enjoy a tea ceremony at Yakumo Saryo
Koenji
Take a day trip to Koenji and spend the day strolling the vintage shops.
Kichijoji
Kichijoji is well worth a visit when you are staying in Tokyo, it's a little suburb about 30 mins from Shibuya. It has plenty of things to see and some delicious food and stores (it even has a Margaret Howell cafe).
Visit the lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple
17
Lucky cat temple in Setagaya.18
Aelu gallery.STAY:
There are a lot of places to stay while in Tokyo, we have a few options depending on your budget.
Low:
Mustard Hotel - Located in Setagaya, Tokyo (check out our Neighbourhood guide to Setagaya here for extra tips for what to do in the area)
Med:
All Day Place - Located in Shibuya, it's a great place to stay as it's very central. It's only a 5 minute walk to the station and close to lots of things.
Fancy:
Trunk - Also located in Shibuya, Trunk is a great place if you want to splurge on a nice place to stay while still being close to everything.
K5 - Located in Chuo City in Tokyo, this architecturally designed hotel is stunning.
Fav:
Ryokan Yuen Better Daita - Located in Setagaya, we loved our stay here, it was one of our favs and highly recommend.