Nakameguro Guide - Tokyo's hub of culture and creativity
Meguro River
Nakameguro is filled to the brim with modern and authentic small food shops, aesthetically pleasing specialty coffee shops, Tokyo’s most iconic river view, and the Biggest Starbucks in the world. In the streets of Nakameguro you find little galleries, studios, and agencies tucked away, making it a hotspot for the creative crowd by day. Once the night falls Nakameguro kicks into high gear. The air fills with the aroma of yakitori sizzling on grills while the sound of chatter from izakayas echoes through the streets.
We show you everything you need to know for a day in Nakameguro. From hidden food spots to the best views, discover all the hidden gaps of Nakame while you stroll your way off the beaten path.
In this Nakameguro Guide
Arriving in Nakameguro
The Meguro River
The coffee
The food
Nakameguro’s hidden street
The shops of Nakameguro
How to get to Nakameguro
Jakuzure-Isewaki Dori
Arriving in Nakameguro
Unless your hotel is located in Nakameguro, your journey will most likely start at Naka-meguro station. From here you can go one of two ways.
Option one is to head East by crossing the road underneath the station bridge, which brings you to Nakameguro’s most popular tourist attraction, the Meguro river.
Or head West, and get lost in the small alleys of Nakameguro and its iconic Koukashita, a wall of restaurants and creative hotspots underneath the train tracks.
Naka-Meguro Station
The Meguro River
This is by far the most popular attraction in Nakameguro. A serene strip of greenery in the middle of Tokyo, filled with small boutiques, good coffee, food, and craftsmanship.
You can even follow the river all the way from Nakameguro to Meguro station, which provides a beautiful and calming walk. During the Sakura season, the streets along the bank of the Meguro river are packed with stalls and crowds to the point that police have to control the traffic.
Meguro River
There is no guidance needed for the Meguro river, simply let the river be your guide and you’ll be sure to discover some wonderful places in Nakameguro. If you are in need of some more directions, we’re exploring the best places along the river and other places in Nakameguro below.
Meguro River
The coffee of Nakameguro
As is the case in most of Tokyo’s wards, there is no shortage of quality specialty coffee in Nakameguro. Beside the Nakameguro Starbucks, you'll discover a variety of excellent roasters dedicated to delivering the perfect brew.
Onibus Coffee
The most famous and Instagrammable spot on this Nakameguro coffee list is Onibus. Despite their popularity, they consistently deliver pure quality. It's almost always busy, but thanks to their unique location and layout, you can still enjoy yourself by hanging out in front of the shop even if the seats are full.
Onibus Coffee
Sidewalk Stand Coffee
This modern coffee shop located just a street behind the Meguro River, offers expertly crafted brews. Sidewalk Stand, with only limited outside seating, hence the name ‘stand’, is the ideal place for a high quality pit stop.
Sidewalk Stand Coffee
Streamer Coffee Company
This modern coffee shop located just a street behind the Meguro River, offers expertly crafted brews. Streamer Coffee Company has in- and outside seating, creating the perfect combo for a meeting, some remote work, or a catchup with friends.
Streamer Coffee Company
Epulor
Epulor is as much a coffee shop as it is a bar. An art and music venue that focuses on specialty coffee and natural wine. The shop opens from 11AM for you to get a morning brew. But unlike other coffee places in Nakameguro, Epulor stays open until midnight, often organizing live entertainment.
Epulor Coffe
Mametora Nakameguro
When wandering alongside Nakameguro Station, you’ll be most certainly drawn in by the irresistible aroma of freshly brewed coffee by small coffee bean shop Mametora. With a wide variety of beans available, it's the perfect spot for those who enjoy brewing their own coffee at home. If you’re not up for taking beans with you, no worries, you order their coffee and mocha-rich soft cream in the shop.
Mametora Nakameguro
Chiyaba
While not a coffee house, nestled beneath the Nakameguro train tracks, Chiyaba is a true hidden gem. Chiyaba is a cozy tea house with a dark calming interior. The menu features classic masala chai and special varieties like lemon masala chai and Khukri Rum chai. They also have their specialty Nepalese teas, coffee, natural wine, or craft beer.
Chiyaba Nakameguro
Good Sound Coffee
A stone's throw away from Nakameguro station, right after crossing the river, you find Good Sound Coffee. Aside their delicious brews, the place is pretty spacious, perfect for remote work or reading while enjoying a good brew near the proximity of the Meguro River.
Good Sound Coffee & Bar
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
While we prefer to steer clear from Starbucks when it comes to coffee recommendations, Nakameguro holds the exception. Why? Well it houses the iconic Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo. In contrast to your regular Starbucks, the reserve roastery combines the art and craft of coffee in an immersive and thoughtfully designed multi-floor environment. Each floor has its own specialty, from dark coffee to tea and pastry.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
The food of Nakameguro
Nakameguro has so many food options you honestly can close your eyes, point in a random direction, and 90% chance you’ll be pointing at an awesome restaurant. But if you want some more guidance in the vast restaurant scene of Nakameguro, let us be your guide.
Junkadelic
If you love Mexican food, Junkadelic is a must-visit on your Tokyo dining list. A hidden gem known mostly among locals, Junkadelic offers a broad menu of Mexican delights, featuring nachos, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and delightful cocktails. The restaurant's unique charm comes from its shabby chic vibe, with an exterior resembling a rundown shack and no prominent signage indicating its name. The food, true to its name, bursts with flavor in every bite, making it a memorable dining experience.
Junkadelic Nakameguro
Y2T Stand
Manten Nakameguro
An offal BBQ place right underneath the train tracks in Nakameguro. If you’re not acquainted with offal BBQ or Horumon, you can grill the offal meat of cow or chicken here, like intestines, kidneys, heart, etc. However, Manten Nakameguro also offers sashimi and great drinks on their menu.
Manten Nakameguro
Loncafe
If you fancy a decent sandwich or would like to satisfy your sweet tooth, Loncafe Nakameguro is the place to go. Their menu offers a variety of classic sandwiches with a side of thin french fries, as well as different french toast options. It’s located at the exit of the Tsutaya complex underneath Nakameguro station, close to the Meguro river.
Era Kokyu Nakameguro
Caldo Nakameguro
If you’re in for Spanish Tapas, Caldo is the place to be. This warm and intimate place tucked away under Nakameguro Station’s train tracks will surprise you with delicious Spanish dishes and drinks. From mixed seafood paella to yuzu rebujito.
Caldo Nakameguro
Nakameguro Torimachi
This yakitori izakaya is a little more high end. The restaurant is supervised by Meguro Torishiki, who runs one of Tokyo’s best yakitori restaurants called Torishiki, which has one Michelin star. So expect nothing but the best yakitori quality for a decent price in Nakameguro Torimachi.
Nakameguro Torimachi
Odenya Takeshi
A small and often crowded oden restaurant near Nakameguro station. Odenya Takeshi is a franchise with quite a few locations in Tokyo. This one in Nakameguro has a cozy vibe, with classic oden dishes on the menu alongside other options like sashimi or some fried dishes.
Odenya Takeshi
Okamo Club
A traditional izakaya with fresh and traditional dishes at a reasonable price. On the menu you find a variety of small dishes like sushi, oden, sashimi, and umaki. Okamo Club can get pretty hectic and loud on busy nights such as Friday and Saturday, which might be a little much for some.
Okamo Club Nakameguro
Toridashioden Samon
A very intimate and small oden restaurant underneath the train tracks. If you want to skip the franchise and support a local business, Toridashioden Samon is the place to go. It isn’t the cheapest oden option, but their prices are reasonable. The mellow broth and large variety of high quality vegetables and meat will leave you satisfied.
Toridashioden Samon Nakameguro
Nakameguro’s hidden street
The true heart of Nakameguro. While most tourist activity takes place East of the station, around the Meguro river, Nakameguro’s most cozy yet lively street lies on the West side of the station.
Jakuzure-Isewaki Dori is filled to the brim with local boutiques, eateries, fresh produce stores, barber shops, and craftsmen. From higher end restaurants to local football pubs, this 1km long street has it all.
So for a taste of authentic and local Nakameguro life, Jakuzure-Isewaki dori is the place to explore.
Beer Boy
A standing craft beer bar on Jakuzure-Isewaki Dori. Beer Boy Nakameguro falls under the Craft Beer Market brand, which has locations all over Tokyo. However, Beer Boy is one of their most unique locations. Their menu features some small bites, but mainly focuses on craft beer.
Beer Boy Nakameguro
Le pere
Le Pere is a stylish yet calm izakaya and sake bar on Jakuzure-Isewaki Dori, where you can spend an evening filled with quality drinks and good company. The interior is pretty spacious, but the atmosphere inside is rather relaxed compared to your usual izakaya experience. You can go for small bites like fried chicken or a full plate of pasta, whatever you fancy.
The shops of Nakameguro
Tsutaya
Whether you're a true bookworm or just like a casual stroll through the magazine or stationary store, Tsutaya tailors to both, and more. As Tokyo’s largest and most international oriented book store, each Tsutaya location creates a unique atmosphere due to the layout of their location. Often combined with bars like Starbucks, Tsutaya houses several buildings loosely connected with each other, creating their own mini book shopping complex.
Tsutaya Nakameguro
I’m donut?
This one could have been categorized as a food spot. But with their limited selection and lack of seating, it feels more like a shopping experience. I’m donut? is Tokyo’s most exclusive donut shop. The store offers a limited selection and stock of in-house baked donuts. Most days they sell pit before 3pm, so be sure to check in early.
I’m donut? Nakameguro
Cowbooks
Nakameguro’s alternative bookstore. Cowbooks stands as an intimate and low-key store offering a broad selection of vintage, secondhand books and periodicals. Want to explore a book before you purchase, or simply enjoy the calm atmosphere? Cowbooks has a coffee bar to do just that. Enjoy this book heaven right next to the Meguro river.
Cowbooks Nakameguro
Don Quijote Nakameguro
Don Quijote needs no introduction. Japan’s number one discount chain has a big store in Nakameguro.
Don Quijote Nakameguro
At the heart of Nakameguro lies a strong sense of community spirit and a commitment to urban renewal that shapes its landscape. The transformation of Nakameguro Koukashita, once a neglected space beneath the train tracks, into a vibrant hub of creativity and commerce reflects the neighborhood's resilience and adaptability. Here, locals and visitors converge to celebrate art, culture, and camaraderie, fostering a sense of belonging and collective pride.
Nakameguro captures the imagination with a fusion of tradition and innovation, culture and creativity. As we traverse its streets and immerse ourselves in its mix of experiences, we uncover a neighborhood brimming with artistic treasures, culinary delights, and cultural wonders. From its picturesque cherry blossom-lined riverbanks to its thriving arts scene and culinary hotspots, Nakameguro invites us to embrace its essence—a harmonious blend of past and present, nature and urbanity.
Nakameguro at night
How to get to Nakameguro
Nakameguro Station is serviced by the Tokyu-Toyoko Line and Tokyo Metro's Hibiya Line.
From Shinjuku Station:
JR Yamanote Line to Ebisu
transfer to the Hibiya Line
From Tokyo Station
JR Yamanote Line to Ebisu
transfer to the Hibiya Line
Find your stay in Tokyo
Discover other neighborhoods of Tokyo
