Thursday, August 11, 2016

Sayonara, Shinjuku: Tokyo"s coolest neighborhoods right now

(CNN)Shibuya. Shinjuku. Harajuku.

Most Tokyo visitors are well acquainted with these neighborhoods, destinations for all things new and noteworthy.
Though they"re still worth your time, a new wave of talked-about neighborhoods filled with unique shops, cozy cafes and hip restaurants has emerged in Japan"s capital.
    Ready to go beyond the usual haunts on your next Tokyo trip?
    These are the neighborhoods generating buzz around the metropolis in 2016 that offer new perspectives on the city.

    Shoin Jinja-mae

    Tucked away in Setagaya Ward, Shoin Jinja-mae is just starting to attract attention.

    A photo posted by ayumi yamamoto (@leonardo_abc_) on

    Yukako Izumi, an editor at Time Out Tokyo, sees a lot to like about the area.
    "A shopping district sprawls in front of the train station at Shoin Jinja-mae, lined with popular bakeries, nice bookshops and trendy restaurants," she says.
    Among the must-visit spots are Matsuzaki Senbei Shoin-Jinjamae, a restaurant operated by the famous Japanese rice cracker manufacturer of the same name, and Marusho Ariku, a Japanese izakaya known for locally sourced oysters and vegetables.
    And new spots are opening up all the time.
    "It"s a gathering place for people who simultaneously love their town the way it is, but also endeavor to build it into a progressive city," says Izumi.

    Kiyosumi-Shirakawa

    Nothing marks a neighborhood in Tokyo as "trendy" quite like an influx of third-wave coffee shops.

    Blue Bottle I like the cute logo #coffee #cafe #blue #white #architecture #bluebottle #tokyo #japan #vscocam #vsco #vscodaily #vscophile # # # # #

    A photo posted by Yoshiyuki Shimizu (@joshuawaters17) on

    Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, located on the metropolis" east side, has become the destination for those craving high-quality coffee in the capital.
    It lured Tokyo"s first Blue Bottle coffee shop, a San-Francisco-born cafe that attracts huge lines.
    But the neighborhood features an abundance of Japanese spots too, from the intimate Arise Coffee Roasters to the relaxing Monz Cafe.
    Beyond beans, Kiyosumi-Shirakawa has seen a rise in boutique bakeries and craft stores, with local media dubbing the area the Brooklyn and Paris of Tokyo.
    It"s also got some ancient vibes, thanks to the presence of stores and museums that celebrate the city"s Edo period.
    Kiyosumi-Shrakawa is also home to the absorbing Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, which is now undergoing renovations.

    Tomigaya

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    Highlights of the laid back neighborhood include The East, a small mall-like complex featuring a coffee roaster, a burger shop and a barber, and Hostel & Bar Lounge Nui., an Instagram-ready budget lodging option/bar.
    Kakimori, a stationary store where you can order your own customized notebooks, is also worth a visit, along with the Nakamura Tea Life Store.
    Kuramae has a high concentration of fabric stores, including East Side Tokyo, which also sells flowers. Even if you aren"t looking to buy, the colorful arrangements are nice to take in.
    It"s also a great place to take in views of the Tokyo Sky Tree.

    Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/09/travel/tokyo-coolest-neighborhoods/index.html

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