UNFORTUNATELY I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO VISIT SHIMOKITAZAWA SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC SO MY SUGGESTIONS ARE MORE LIMITED THAN I WOULD LIKE RIGHT NOW.
STAY TUNED FOR AN UPDATE ASAP.
Shimokitazawa with kids
Then if you decide to wander through the totally bohemian, trendy area of Shimokitazawa (Shimokita as it’s often called for short) I recommend stopping often to just take in everything.
It’s so hipster and …just so cool in everyway that it’s less about where you go and more about how you walk around and explore. This is the kind of area where you can pick up a second-hand record player, take in the local street art, see a band, find a good cold-pressed juice and dive into an amazing bowl of ramen.
It’s bohemian, vintage heaven but… not even the slightest bit pretentious. The trendy hipsters behind the counter look too trendy to chat – but they love a chat and every boutique, stall and coffee shop has a story.
It’s colourful and vibrant but still dirty and greasy – but in all the right ways.
As well as lots of vintage clothing shops there are lots of 100 yen stores and just general knick-knacks so this is an easy place to grab an extra colouring book or stickers.
However…. one thing that can be tricky in this area…is the fact that little kiddies don’t often share the same joys of “wandering” like I do. Well… at least mine don’t.
So these are the spots that have managed to keep both the big and the little kids interested (and let the big kids still take in all that is Shimokitazawa at the same time.)
If you have a family member who is a Totoro (and all things Studio Ghibli ) fan, then I recommend the 12 minute walk from the Shimo-Kitazawa Station area to the Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory. This shop is run by the sister-in-law of Hayao Miyazaki himself.
There is a cafe that serves bakery goods and pasta on the 2nd floor but I think that the highlight is the ground floor cream puff shop. There is also one long counter with some gift wrapped biscuits that you can buy and take home.
*Even if you only go for the cream puffs, there is a bathroom upstairs on the landing, if needed (no change table though.) *
This kind of gift box is a good souvenir for a die-hard fan. (Approx 1200 yen.)
世田谷区代田5-3-1
5-3-1 DAITA, SETAGAYA
OPEN 10:30AM-57PM
CLOSED TUESDAYS (IF TUESDAY IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY, THEY WILL CLOSE THE FOLLOWING DAY INSTEAD)
Also, in this area, I recommend checking out the knick-knack toy/ novelty shop called Village Vanguard ( they are a chain store so you will find them all over Japan.) This is a great shop for buying keyrings, stuffed toys and presents. My kids love the range of kinder surprise style eggs with the toys inside ( and they are often in movie themes like Frozen or Mario Cart of Sponge Bob etc. They are also great for Disney goods, Muppets merchandise and crazy funny candy options.
These were the toys in the chocolate eggs, Frozen 2 themed. They were 2 for 200 yen.
VILLAGE VANGUARD, SHIMOKITAZAWA ( 2 minutes walk from the South Exit of the Station)
マルシェ下北沢2-10-15
MARCHE THEATRE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 2-10-15 SHIMOKITAZAWA
OPEN 10AM -MIDNIGHT
You don’t need my guidance for vintage shopping as the fun is in the “hunt” but if you decide to look for a second-hand yukata or kimono at an affordable price, Chicago is a good option.
There are lots of western style (lots of funky 70s inspired tees and pre-loved leather jackets) but I love their selection of yukatas ( a light kimono worn in Summer) and obi (the sashes that tie around the middle). There are options for men and women. There is also a few racks of children’s sized traditional wear too.
Recently I purchased two yukatas for myself and two for my husband at their Harajuku store for around US$130 total. The staff also supply basic “how to wear” instructions.
Photo (above) is courtesy of the Chicago Shimokitazawa website.
HARAJUKU CHICAGO SHIMOKITAZAWA
OPEN 11AM-8PM
If you haven’t already all had your sugar quota yet… Gram Factory ! This is a modern and even “naughtier” twist on the Japanese summer treat kakigori (flavoured shaved ice). There is a large buffet of topper treats. 3 yen per gram ….hence the name (I assumed it was in reference to the scales once I’d over indulged!)
GRAM FACTORY
世田谷区北沢2-15-1
2-15-1 KITAZAWA, SETAGAYA
OPEN MON-WED & SAT 1PM-10PM, THURS, FRI & SUN 1PM-9PM
If kiddies are feeling particularly patient I also recommend these vintage shops in Shimokitazawa.
A vintage clothing option in this side of town is New York Joe Exchange. Most items are between 1000-2500 yen. Accessories, pyjamas. clothing… the lot.
NEW YORK JOE EXCHANGE
世田谷区北沢3-26-4
3-26-4 KITAZAWA, SETAGAYA
OPEN MIDDAY-8PM
If you love rare and vintage books ( children’s books, guidebooks and novels – all in English and Japanese) I recommend little linger in Claris books. I loved sifting through a box of postcards and another of old Tokyo pamphlets.
The place just smells like beautiful pre-loved stories.
CLARIS BOOKS
世田谷区 北沢3-26-2-2F
2F 3-26-2 KITAZAWA, SETAGAYA-KU
OPEN MIDDAY-8PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS & MONDAYS
Little additional restaurant tip?
If you LOVE natto ( fermented soy beans) then there is an all you can eat natto restaurant in Shimokitazawa too. There is even a natto vending machine out front for 24 hour access to natto!
SENDAI-YA SHIMOKITAZAWA
世田谷区北沢3-25-1
3-25-1 KITAZAWA, SETAGAYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-3PM ( UNTIL 6PM ON WEEKENDS)
SENDAIYA WEBSITE
If you are struggling for gluten free options in Shimokitazawa, there is a wheat free Pizza rice bowl at Dominos Pizza in Shimokitazawa (please note that the pizzas are not gluten free but this rice bowl is.) See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here.
