You might be wishing that someone told you about the balance of travel sooner. But luckily it’s never too late to start!

Travel is a balance between seeing what makes a destination famous and also seeing what makes it a home. If you get caught up in the side of flashy sites, you’ll completely miss a deeper side of your destination.

That’s why we recommend you add one of these three best neighborhoods in Tokyo to your itinerary. Tokyo is a can’t-miss destination for many reasons and stopping by Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower or Shibuya Crossing should be included in your itinerary if seeing famous sites is one of your trip goals.

But we’d be remiss if we sent you to Tokyo without telling you that there’s another side of Tokyo that some people never take a moment to see.

These three neighborhoods in Tokyo are unique and won’t be as flooded with tourists. If you’d like us to help you plan for your trip to make it extra effortless, let’s talk about Travel Consulting.

Nakameguro: The Effortlessly Chic Neighborhood

Nakameguro isn’t Tokyo’s best-kept secret, but it’s a shame most people don’t make it out here on their first visit to Tokyo. It’s everything you could wish for in a neighborhood within a metropolis – it’s cozy and homey, stylish but laid back, and effortlessly hip.

You’ll feel like you’re stumbling upon Tokyo’s next best-kept secret around every corner – eateries, clothing stores, art shops, bookstores, you name it. Backstreets and bars sprawl from a beautiful riverside promenade along the Meguro River, lined with cherry trees that exude the seasons. If you’re visiting during the spring or fall, it’s a beautiful neighborhood to see where the wind takes you.

Insider Tip: Nakameguro is easily accessible from various points of Tokyo using the subway or train, but my favorite way to get to Nakameguro is on foot from two of my other favorite Tokyo neighborhoods, Daikanyama and Ebisu.

Kichijoji - The People’s Neighborhood

Any time I’m in Tokyo, I always go out of my way to make it to neighborhoods like Kichijoji. At first glance, it feels ordinary, residential, and full of people just going about their everyday life. But that’s just it, that is why I come here. It’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo and the constant superlative drive to be the trendiest, hippest, most delicious, original, oldest, or most Instagrammable. It’s the real real, which is a side of Tokyo I always like to explore.

I like to aimlessly wander through the shopping streets of Sun Road or sometimes my stomach leads me north of the station to Harmonica Yokocho for a bite. It’s easy to forget the time here and somehow find myself at a standing bar hanging out with the locals.

Shimokitazawa: The Hipster Neighborhood

Welcome to hipster central where vintage and vinyl are the only way to go. Shimokitazawa exudes a similar youthful alternative energy to Harajuku but is more bohemian than Kawaii. The streets are buzzing with artists, funky bookstores, secondhand clothing stores, cafes, and record stores. It’s one of the few places in Tokyo, or Japan for that matter, where you’ll find graffiti-mural art.

Insider Tip: For any coffee connoisseurs out there, it’s one of my favorite neighborhoods to go cafe hopping in addition to Nakameguro!

If you want to add any of these three best neighborhoods in Tokyo to your upcoming Japan itinerary, let us help you add it to your itinerary! With Travel Consulting we will work with you to tailor make a day trip exactly to your interests and goals. With a custom itinerary, you’ll have all the instructions you need to make the most of your visit and how to optimize your time by visiting our personal favorite coffee shops, stores, and restaurants.

Written by Carly Dela Cruz, Operations Manager & Inside Japan Tour Host

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our Travel Consulting services and optional booking service.

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