Tour of Shimokitazawa's Newest and Classic Spots

Shimokitazawa is located 7 minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line and 3 minutes from Shibuya on the Inokashira Line. The Odakyu line used to run above ground, but was converted to newly dug underground tunnels in 2013, and the current station building was completed in 2019. Shimokitazawa is a compact town, roughly the area within a 500-meter radius from the station. But into this area are 10 small theaters, over 20 live houses(venues for live music), and countless second-hand clothing stores, restaurants, and other points of interest. This 90-minute tour will focus on fifteen of these.

“Mikan Shimokita” is a commercial facility that opened in 2022. There are 23 stores including bistros, Vietnamese, Thai, Taiwanese, Korean, Italian, izakaya, monjayaki, and other restaurants, as well as general merchandise stores. Literally under the tracks near the station, it added much culinary diversity to the already bustling food scene in the area.

The Honda Theater is one of the most well-known theaters in Shimokitazawa, a theater town with over twenty small independent theatres in just one square kilometer. With 386 seats, the Honda is not a large theater, but it is a favorite venue for theater troupes from all over Japan. Actually it is one of the largest houses in Shimokitazawa, many of which are very intimate venues with only a few dozen seats. Like off-Broadway in New York, Shimokitazawa mostly features original and independent plays, not mainstream commercial productions. Many famous in TV and movies can be spotted in the casts of the many smaller independent productions that show here. The chance to perform in intimate venues for discerning theatregoers is irresistible for true thespians.

Village Vanguard Shimokitazawa is the most famous store in Shimokitazawa, with a maze-like interior that sells a wide variety of books, sundries, CDs, and other items.

"Suzunari Yokocho" is the “deepest” spot in Shimokitazawa. It has two very small mini-theaters, "The Suzunari" and "Theater 711", on the second floor, and numerous tiny bars, snack bars, and other restaurants on the first floor, where artists, writers, actors, musicians, fans and their denizens of “Shimokita” chat over drinks and music all night long.

The “Shimokita Senrogai Akichi” is an event space created when the Odakyu Line, which originally ran above ground, went underground. On weekends, food carts line the street, and a vintage clothing market and various other events are held. Even though the space is new, the funky, bohemian vibe of old Shimokitazawa has taken hold here.

The “BONUS TRACK” is a commercial facility created when the Odakyu Line went underground. There are 13 stores, including one that focuses exclusively on fermented foods, both traditional and newer, a spiced curry store, and a restaurant where you can taste porridge and sake.