Toyo Department Store Annex
Toyo Department Store Annex is located in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. It sits inside the MIKAN SHIMOKITA commercial complex beneath the elevated tracks at Shimokitazawa Station on the Keio Inokashira Line. From its base in Shimokitazawa, a neighborhood known for its subculture scene, it showcases the area's unique appeal.
So many of the products are familiar Japanese brands.
It kind of feels like being back in an old-school Japanese department store.
Jidaiya Asakusa
Asakusa Jidaiya is known for revivaling rickshaw riding in Asakusa. Apart from rickshaws, visitors can experience traditional Japanese cultural activities such as Kimono rentals and Japanese cultural experiences.
The staff are super friendly and attentive! Even if you don't speak Japanese, no worries—their English is pretty good and they're really helpful.
Towada Art Center
The museum was opened in 2008 as the central facility of the city's art-based local cityscape project. Many of the works are large three-dimensional works in which the entire space becomes the work of art, rather than paintings. The art square across from the museum, as well as the streets surrounding it, are scattered with artworks, transforming the entire town into an open-air contemporary art museum.
You don't need to be an art expert to enjoy this place. It's designed to be super approachable and easy to get into. Even beginners or kids won't feel any pressure here.
Aomori Nebuta Festival
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is held in central Aomori City between August 2 and 7 every year and attracts as many as 1 million visitors every year. With records dating back to the late Edo period (around 1842), this historic festival is one of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
If you're into photography, the lights, colors, and movement at night are perfect for taking photos. But it does get pretty crowded, so make sure to grab a spot early.
Yakiniku Gyugujo
Owned by the comedian Hiroyuki Miyasako, his friend and YouTuber Hikaru promotes this shop, making it a trending Yakiniku restaurant far before opening. Ever since opening in March 2022 at the Shibuya red light district, its high quality menu and trendiness with celebrities endorsing the restaurant made it popular as “Japan’s most trending restaurant”.
This was my first yakiniku experience in Japan and picking this place was a win. The meat quality is top-notch. Even though it’s hard to get a reservation, it’s totally worth it. I’d love to come back and try more of their signature cuts.