Known for
Vintage clothes, records and small bars. By the Odakyu east exit, a short scatter of theatres around Honda Gekijo.
Records, vintage, small bars
Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa · 下北沢
south shopping grid, Odakyu east exit toward Honda Gekijo
Shimokitazawa sits where the Odakyu and Inokashira lines cross. The station has gone underground, and the streets stayed low. The south shopping grid is vintage clothes, records and cafes. From the Odakyu east exit come the small theatres, Honda Gekijo among them, and the bars. Nobody comes for a view.
Why go
Shops by day, bars and live rooms in the evening. It is a young, local neighbourhood, with no shrine for a postcard. Sunday afternoon is the busiest. Late night is quieter than Kabukicho, and the streets are not empty.
Where to stay
A good base if you want to live in a neighbourhood rather than at a crossing. The classic sights are a ride away: Shibuya is a few stops on the Inokashira line. In the evening everything is a walk, and the morning is quiet.
Local guide
Fedor Samorodov · guide
The south side of the station is the dense grid of second-hand clothes and cafes, the Shimokitazawa south exit. Honda Gekijo (Kitazawa 2-10-15) and the small halls beside it are two or three minutes from the Odakyu east exit: straight on, then the turn toward the theatre signs and the stairs by the Inokashira viaduct.
Where to have it
- Jazz Kissa Masako — Имя и часть пластинок достались от зала 1953 года, который снесли вместе с кварталом. Хозяйка снова открыла второй этаж и крутит джаз.
- Little Soul Cafe — Хозяин здесь один: ставит пластинку, наливает и не повышает голос. На стенах тысячи дисков, и следующий он выбирает сам.