7 coolest streets to explore in Tokyo

Tokyo is littered with little alleyways known as yokocho, filled with narrow eateries and drink stalls, but none are quite as iconic as Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho. What started as a black market entertainment district in the post-war period is now a classic dinnertime destination for the city’s foodies and sake lovers. As its name – loosely translated as ‘memory lane’ – suggests, Omoide Yokocho is rooted in old-school ways and favours cash over credit, so be sure to have paper bills ready before you go. 

EAT Izakaya Tachan dishes up some of the best tsukune (chicken meatballs) in town. Nothing beats dipping these sizzling hot beauties in egg yolk before washing it all down with some sake.

DRINK Omoide Yokocho normally comes alive after 5pm, but Tajimaya Coffeehouse is open from the morning. This charming coffeehouse is the quintessential Showa-era (1926-1989) kissaten, with a wide variety of beans roasted in-house. 

BUY Looking for a special bottle of Japanese whisky? Whisky Kingdom is the place to go for high quality labels at reasonable prices.

While people flock to Nakameguro for its picturesque river, there’s another little road you should know about. The Meguro Ginza Shotengai is just a two-minute walk southwest of Nakameguro Station and is home to a range of local grocers, restaurants, vintage stores and cafés. On weekends, a portion of the street is closed off to cars, so it’s a perfect spot to stroll around with friends and family. Come summer, the annual Nakameguro Summer Matsuri sees groups of awa odori dancers making their way down the road. Although currently halted due to the pandemic, the street also hosts a regular flea market with locals selling all kinds of odds and ends.

EAT Pick up a snack or settle in for a quick bite at Trasparente, a small local bakery turning out fresh baked danishes, shokupan, sandwiches and more.

BUY Make a pitstop at Migratory, a quaint little zakka shop stocking Japanese-made kitchen tools, ceramics, clothing and home interiors.

DO Renowned bike shop Tokyobike offers daily rentals, so you can pick up a bicycle and pedal your way around the surrounding streets.

Contrary to its name, Tokyo’s Cat Street has very little to do with felines (you’ll want to head to Yanaka Ginza for that). This pedestrian-only strip connects the bustling neighbourhoods of Shibuya and Omotesando, and is home to some of Tokyo’s coolest restaurants, cafés and shops. Here you’ll find big international brands and local independent labels mixed in with seasonal pop-up shops. The little roads that branch off Cat Street are also worth a visit – especially when you want to get away from the busy crowds. 

EAT Hidden just off Cat Street, Menchirashi is a hip udon restaurant known for its housemade noodles, fried-to-order tempura and onigiri rice balls. 

BUY Consignment emporium Ragtag is housed in a massive three-storey complex on Cat Street and stocks Japanese cult labels like Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and Sacai. 

DO The Mass is a sleek art gallery made up of a collection of cool, concrete buildings by Japanese architect Nobuo Ariaki. Look out for curated monthly shows of modern and contemporary art.

This road joins cool Kuramae with old-school Asakusa. Before it got its modern street cred, Kuramae was part of Tokyo’s artisanal district, with craftspeople making beautiful leathergoods, pottery, and even toys. This street is a mix of Kuramae’s past and present, with a dash of Asakusa’s traditional charm thrown in.

At first glance, it looks like any other main thoroughfare, but you’ll find it’s all too easy to lose an afternoon here exploring shops, bakeries and hidden cafés. And we’re not talking about venues tucked down alleyways. Lots of places on Kokusai-dori do double duty, so you might just find your new favourite coffee shop inside a handbag store.

DRINK Tokyo Riverside Distillery makes flavourful, eco-friendly spirits from food waste, and you can sample them all in creative cocktails at the distillery’s dedicated restaurant-bar Stage. 

EAT Stop by the quaint Kashiya Shinonome to pick up scones and pastries that look too good to eat, then sit down for a cuppa at the upstairs café Kissa Hangetsu. 

BUY Typical of the area, Camera is both a café and a shop specialising in locally made leathergoods – pop in to browse for a colourful new handbag, wallet or purse.

This retro shopping street near Nippori Station is lined with old buildings dating back as far as the 1940s. You’ll find 60 or so shops along the winding street selling anything from ceramics and handmade goods to Japanese desserts and street food. Keep an eye out for favourites like takoyaki, chestnut ice cream and croquettes. The great thing about Yanaka Ginza is it’s not just for show – plenty of residents come to this old-school street every week to shop at their local greengrocers and butchers. Yanaka is also known for its love of cats, so you’ll spot plenty of cat knickknacks, signs decorated with illustrations of felines and even cat-shaped food. 

EAT For an afternoon pick-me-up, stop by Waguriya for chestnut confectionery. We recommend the mont blancs and the chestnut soft serve.

SEE Yuyake Dandan (‘sunset staircase’) at the north end of the street is a must-visit in the late afternoon for its spectacular sunset view.

DO Beginning to see the light? Head to Zakuro to decorate your very own Turkish mosaic lamp or candle holder – or just pick up a pre-designed one to give your apartment a pop of colour.

This 1.3km-long shotengai shopping street in Shinagawa is home to around 400 restaurants and shops. It’s one of the longest shotengai in Tokyo and popular for its shitamachi downtown ambience as well as its delicious croquettes – you’ll find over 20 different shops selling them. In summer, the shotengai celebrates its annual Togoshi Ginza Matsuri festival with a number of events ranging from street performances and stamp rallies to sports such as soccer and volleyball. Togoshi Ginza is so popular, the street even has its own mascot called Gin-chan. You can meet the cute cat character at the shotengai’s information centre.

BUY Beautiful minimalist ceramics and kitchenware at Mokumoku Ishi. The store offers Japanese-style kyusu teapots, tenugui towels with different motifs, tableware and more.

EAT Togoshi Ginza is home to some incredible international cuisine, including authentic Irish dishes served at Kyojin Stewhouse.

DO For a break from the hustle and bustle, drop by the quiet, leafy Togoshi Hachiman Shrine. Although it’s just off the main strip, it feels completely removed from the busy shotengai.

If you’ve ever been around Sangenjaya, you’ve probably spent some time along Chazawa-dori, the long main street that starts off at Sangenjaya Station. The major shotengai shopping street in this Setagaya ‘hood, Chazawa-dori is chock full of friendly restaurants, hipster cafés, local veggie stands and bakeries galore. It’s even closed off to cars on weekends so pedestrians can easily wander through. Start by heading north along the street from the station to see everything in one go. You’ll eventually reach Shimokitazawa, so save a little cash for vintage clothes shopping. 

SEE Chazawa-dori is home to the inexplicable giant gorilla above a FamilyMart – one of Tokyo’s most visited monsters.

DRINK Guuutara Coffee specialises in OTT cream soda floats topped with ice cream, fresh fruit and more.

BUY Sift through a well-curated selection of vintage frocks at Zig, a tiny used clothing store that’s open until 10pm.