Shimokitazawa Guide - Tokyo’s Vintage Thrifting Wonderland
Streets of Shimokitazawa
Nestled in the western part of Tokyo, away from the neon lights and skyscrapers of the city center, lies a neighborhood that holds a unique vintage charm. Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, has garnered a reputation as Tokyo's bohemian escape, drawing in artists, free spirits, and most of all, thrifters, from all corners of the globe.
In this guide we'll explore Shimokitazawa’s vintage boutiques, the best place to get a quality coffee, and our favorite dinner spots.
In this Shimokitazawa Guide
The history of Shimokitazawa
Arriving in Shimokitazawa
Exploring Shimokita’s thrift scene
Shops & entertainment
The food
The coffee
How to get there
Streets of Shimokitazawa
The history of Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa's roots trace back to the early 20th century when it was primarily an agricultural area on the outskirts of Tokyo. However, as Tokyo's urban sprawl expanded in the post-war era, Shimokitazawa underwent a transformation into a residential and commercial hub. Its strategic location, located between major train lines like the Odakyu and Keio Inokashira Lines, made it an attractive destination for commuters and businesses alike.
What sets Shimokitazawa apart from Tokyo's more mainstream districts today is it's bohemian spirit – an atmosphere infused with creativity, individuality, and abundance of thrift and second-hand clothing stores.
Streets of Shimokitazawa
Arriving in Shimokitazawa
When you arrive in Shimokitazawa station you’ll want to take the east exit. Upon exiting the station you end up in Shimokita’s center, a large open space that connects all of the area’s main streets. The long stretch of open space in front of the station is often filled with small crafts markets.
From here your journey can take you anywhere. Head north if you want to dive directly into endless thrift sessions. If you fancy a bite first, your best bet is to head underneath the train bridge on your right side upon exiting the station. There you find Mikan Shimokita, a redevelopment area turned into a shopping mall with tons of modern food spots. Looking for something more traditional? Cross underneath the bridge and head South, you’ll be bombarded with authentic ramen, udon, and curry spots to choose from.
Mikan Shimokita complex
Exploring Shimokita’s thrift scene
One of Shimokitazawa's main draws is its vintage shopping scene. Here, you'll find a treasure trove of retro clothing stores, thrift shops, and second-hand boutiques offering a curated selection of fashion spanning decades. From funky 1970s bell-bottoms to classic 1990s streetwear, there's something to suit every taste and style.
Below you find our three store recommendations to get you started. However, if you take your thrift game seriously, our guide to Shimokitazawa’s thrift stores is coming soon.
Flamingo
Flamingo Shimokitazawa has stood strong since 2005, offering a broad selection of American vintage clothing from the mid-20th century. This brand has actually two stores in Shimokita. The first being Flamingo Shimokitazawa, and the second, bigger one is aptly named 2nd Flamingo.
Regularly refreshed by a US-based buyer, the inventory includes both men’s and women’s apparel, retro tableware, and an assortment of accessories such as leather shoes, belts, and sunglasses. Both stores are easy to spot by their iconic neon flamingo signs. Though some items are priced higher due to their quality, the overall value makes it worth a visit.
Flamingo Shimokitazawa
2nd Street
2nd STREET is a major player in Japan's secondhand market. This chain offers a diverse selection, ranging from high-end designer pieces to trendy everyday apparel, shoes, and accessories. Prices generally fall between ¥4,000 and ¥10,000.
The two-story 2nd Street Shimokitazawa outlet is particularly noteworthy. The first floor features designer clothing, while the second floor offers a variety of general fashion items. Despite its vast inventory, the store is remarkably well-organized. Vintage enthusiasts will appreciate the occasional vintage items integrated into the mix. Regular sales and promotions make frequent visits worthwhile, ensuring there's always a bargain to be found.
2nd Street Shimokitazawa
Stick Out
Stick Out has become a favorite spot for thrifters in Shimokitazawa. This store stands out by pricing every item at just ¥800. Unlike many local shops that focus solely on second-hand goods, Stick Out offers both used clothing, accessories, upcycled fashion and new clothing. Whether you're looking for pristine Lee jeans or stylish leather belts, everything here comes with the same wallet-friendly price tag.
Stick Out Shimokitazawa
These are only a handful of the most well-known and reputable thrift stores in Shimokitazawa. If you want to dive deeper into the Shimokita thrift experience, our guide to Shimokitazawa’s thrift stores is coming soon.
Shops and entertainment
Shimokitazawa offers much more than just fashion and food. A significant portion of Shimokitazawa's property is managed by the Odakyu Railway Group, which invests heavily in urban renewal projects in consultation with local residents. This has led to the development of a range of modern cultural complexes, shopping malls, and small concept stores in the area.
Mikan Shimokita
Mikan Shimokita is one of these development projects. A modern shopping and entertainment complex describing itself as “an ever-changing district, with the project concept of Work and Play.” Here you can take a casual stroll, stop for a decent lunch, or take a stroll in Shimokita’s book haven Tsutaya.
Inside Mikan Shimokita
Tsutaya Shimokitazawa
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. In Shimokitazawa, Tsutaya is located conveniently in the Mikan Shimokita complex, providing you with a collection of both English and Japanese reads.
Tsutaya Bookstore Shimokitazawa
Thai Food Stall 999 (タイ屋台999)
A gimmicky Thai place in the Mikan Shimokita complex. The facade and interior of Thai Food Stall 999 are pretty over the top stereotypical, but that’s the whole point. Here you can find classics lik Khao Man Gai, Tom Yum, Gai-yang, and more.
Thai Food Stall 999 (タイ屋台999)
B-Side Label Shimokitazawa
The premium Japanese sticker brand B-Side Label has three shops in Tokyo, located in Harajuku, Kichijoji, and finally Shimokitazawa. B-Side Label is made up of Japanese artists who create stickers and express themselves through their individual pop art styles. All of their stickers are waterproof and covered with UV protective film. This means you can put them on your car, bike, surfboard, and even on everyday items such as washable food containers or water bottles.
Robata Ishikura Akihabara
DORAMA Shimokitazawa
Dorama Shimokitazawa used to sell video games but today the shop focuses fully on trading cards. Here you can start digging for Pokémon, One Piece, or other card gems. In the back is a card space for games.
Dorama Shimokitazawa
The food of Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa’s food scene combines traditional eateries with a selection of new concept stores or fusion restaurants. While it’s always a good idea to venture off on your own and stumble on amazing food places, we provide you with our recommendations for a snack, lunch, or dinner in Shimokitazawa.
Kamui Shimokitazawa
An authentic dan dan noodles place in the backstreets of Shimokitazawa. Kamui Shimokitazawa is a cozy Chinese restaurant serving classic dishes like mapo tofu or shirunashi tantanmen topped off with kinshi tamago for a mild touch. You can choose the thickness of your noodles yourself.
Kamui Shimokitazawa
Marugame Seimen Shimokitazawa
Quick service, slurpy noodles, and delicious light broth. Marugame Seimen Shimokitazawa is guaranteed to provide you with a traditional udon experience in the heart of Shimokitazawa.
Marugame Seimen Shimokitazawa
Tori-soba Salt
Tori-soba Salt is one of the few places in Shimokitazawa that specializes in chicken broth ramen. Enjoy a light yet creamy tori Paitan ramen topped with chicken, pork, and an egg on top. This place is slightly more pricey than your average ramen place, but definitely worth a visit.
Tori Soba Salt Shimokitazawa
The coffee of Shimokitazawa
At this point Shimokita has it all. Good food, endless thrift shops, and enough places to have a quality coffee break. The coffee shops here will introduce you to a new level of coffee experience.
Ballon D'Essai Latte & Art
Ballon D'Essai is a charming café whose name means "trial balloon" in French. This spot aims to give customers a unique experience, much like viewing the world from a hot-air balloon. The café's main attraction is its exquisite latte art, with designs created using advanced techniques. Opened in June 2012, BALLON D’ESSAI merges the worlds of coffee and art, featuring works by emerging artists on its walls and providing a platform for art lovers to interact.
Ballon D'Essai Latte & Art
Norah’s Coffee Table
If you’re in for a wholesome coffee break, Norah’s Coffee Table is your spot. This small cozy coffee spot is run by a warm middle-aged couple. You can enjoy both breakfast and lunch here, or just go in for a cup of quality brew.
Norah’s Coffee Table Shimokitazawa
Bear Pond Espresso
By far Shimokita’s most iconic coffee shop. Bear Pond Espresso enjoyed quite some media attention in recent years, skyrocketing its popularity. After spending over 20 years in the U.S., owner Katsu Tanaka returned to Japan to open his coffee shop, with a La Marzocca machine as the store’s centerpiece. You can expect nothing but quality at Bear Pond. Just know there’s some shop rules. You can’t take photos, and when you finish your drink, it’s time to get out, no lingering around.
Bear Pond Espresso Shimokitazawa
The Usual Shimokitazawa
How to get to Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa Station is serviced by the Odakyu Line or Keio-Inokashira Line.
From Shinjuku Station:
Odakyu Line to Shimokitazawa
From Tokyo Station
JR Chuo Line to Shinjuku
Transfer to Odakyu Line to Shimokitazawa
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