Dear Readers,
In the first Asian edition of Aa Explores, I’m excited to bring you to the bustling megacity of Tokyo. I have taken yearly trips to Japan since I was young, mainly for their famous ‘“Japow”–the renowned powder snow that draws skiers and snowboarders worldwide. Tokyo is always where I’d fly in and out of Japan, serving as the gateway for all my adventures, and my fascination for this beautiful city never subsided, even now solo-travelling as an adult. Beneath the popular tourist spots lies a city full of creatives, a huge subculture scene, and a relentless energy that fuels its ever-evolving identity.
From tucked-away vinyl shops to late-night izakayas where conversations flow as freely as the beer, Tokyo is a haven for those who crave inspiration and connection. In this edition, I dive deep into the heart of the city’s underground scenes and creative hotspots, giving you a glimpse of Tokyo beyond the guidebooks. Let’s explore its hidden gems together.
Shoutout to Tokyo’s favourite IT girl, and our dear friend, Yuki (@babys0uljia), for helping me out with the guide 😉 For the guide in Google Maps, press here.
Xx,
Christina
Guide and visuals by @chr8stina
Shop
APFR Shimokitazawa
My favourite fragrances in the world. Tucked away in the beautiful ‘reload’ building, this Japanese fragrance house takes inspiration from traditional fragrances and herbal medicine culture, mixing it with Japanese subtleties. The serene ambience (which feels like a gentle embrace) is a stark contrast to the overwhelming intensity of many other fragrance houses.
H4LO
An upcoming select shop that intertwines fashion with music, with Japanese and American brands exclusive to the store. Occasionally hosts car meets and pop-ups with DJ events and is known as the centre of a community that fosters a new flavour of cultural diversity in Tokyo.
Ginza Itoya
If you’re anything like me, you love stationery. This 12-storey stationery store will keep you entertained for hours. There’s also a café on the top floor, giving you a sweet view of the busy Ginza below.
The Flat Head
Welcoming owners, with a deep knowledge of Japanese selvedge denim. Located on the busy Harajuku Shopping Street, you are immediately drawn into their world of craftsmanship and heritage. Their passion for high-quality Japanese selvedge denim shines through, offering a curated, playful take on traditional denim and Americana wear
KAKKO Shimokitazawa
With two stores located a stone’s throw away from one another, KAKKO boasts a great selection of curated archive pieces. A must-visit for avant-garde enthusiasts and archival collectors, you’re bound to find something you love.
Pat Market
Located in Harajuku amongst the hundreds (if not thousands) of stores, and boasting a pretty famous clientele with people like A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty and Raf Simons having visited this store, Pat Market is the place to be to find incredible rare pieces.
The Four Eyed
The Four Eyed showcases a curation of younger and up-and-coming designers, emphasising slow fashion and thoughtful craftsmanship.
St-pour homme
A menswear boutique with unique brands focused on details, materials and slow fashion, with top-notch craftsmanship.
Drink
Bar Trench
Ranked 25th on Asia’s Best Bars list in 2022, this stunning gem in Ebisu is sure to leave a lasting impression. A must try: the Trench 75, a spin on the classic French 75, replacing champagne with sparkling sake.
INC Cocktails
I stumbled across this place on a night out, and they have some of the more interesting cocktails I’ve tried (my pick: the ‘Cypress’, it comes in a box). They only play music from their extensive vinyl collection, and they are proud of their ALTEC Lansing Sound System (for those audiophiles out there).
A10
Drawing inspiration from New York’s 1920s speakeasies, this beautiful record bar is a haven for music and cocktail lovers alike. Lined with vintage vinyl spanning genres from jazz to R&B, A10 offers a unique vibe every night with its rotating roster of music selectors who curate sounds for the turntable.
Bar Rocaille
With only 8 seats, this intimate bar with a small menu centered around singular ingredients is one of the coolest, higher-end bars in town.
Grandfather’s
A cosy, retro, vinyl rock bar. Always a good time. After all these years, the interior remains impeccably preserved, providing a sophisticated atmosphere that perfectly suits such a storied bar, adding an extra layer of allure to the music.
Cave Shibuya Music Bar
A vinyl bar with a moody vibe that frequently hosts international bartenders, and with over 3,500 vinyl on display, you’re bound to hear something you love.
Trunk Lounge
A hotel lounge bar that frequently hosts some cool events.
Hachigatsu no Kujira – The Whales of August
The theme of this bar is that each drink is based on a movie, which lets you go in pretty much blind to each drink. It’s a special experience, especially for cinephiles. Try my favourite: Bonnie and Clyde.
Bloody Angle
A bar that also serves some amazing food (perfect for a midnight snack), it’s a place to meet like-minded creatives and socialise.
Party
Music Bar Lion
Known for their deep house, pop and rap, Music Bar Lion draws in an international crowd with a vibrant energy.
Enter
Located right underneath Music Bar Lion is Enter, which plays more electronic music and is where I would end up after an earlier party at Lion.
Mitsuki
A techno club with some groovy beats and local DJs.
Circus
A techno club with some groovy beats and local DJs.
Traffic
My favourite techno club in Tokyo with its’ hard-to-find, exclusive events. But ask around… you never know (you can find a few of their events on Resident Advisor).
WWWẞ
Often has cool events, featuring both local and international artists.
Dine
Breakfast Club Tokyo
A cute diner that serves a variety of both Western and Japanese food. Great community and great food.
Chao Chao Bamboo
Everyone’s go-to Thai spot in Harajuku. Cheap, fast, delicious.
Cantera Harajuku
An affordable Italian date spot, with an incredible terrace view of the Tokyo Skyline.
Chiles Mexican Grill Harajuku
Probably the closest you’ll get to eating authentic Mexican food in Tokyo. Their pork carnitas burrito is to die for…
Fuuki Noodle Factory (富喜製麺研究所)
I just so happened to come into this place after a 25-hour journey and had some of the best ramen of my life here. Their 熊本ラーメン (Kumamoto ramen), with black garlic oil, is delightful, and not too heavy.
Tonkatsuya Sato
A Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated spot that may look modest but they serve some of the best tonkatsu in Tokyo. Known for its coarse panko coating, the pork cutlets are fried to golden perfection—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. Their cheapest meal starts at ¥1,400, which is a pretty sweet deal for a Bib Gourmand restaurant.
Culture
Mori Art Museum
Perched on the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills Tower, this art museum offers more than just insightful exhibitions on Japanese postwar culture, video game art, and contemporary themes—it also boasts breathtaking views of the city skyline.
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
Led by Japan’s legendary design trio of Issey Miyake, Taku Satoh and Naoto Fukasawa, and brought to life by renowned architect Tadao Ando, this is a must-visit if you enjoy architecture and design.
I hope I inspired you to explore Tokyo. I hope you fall in love with this city as much as I have.
Xx, Aa