Sep 27, 2025
Favourite neighbourhoods in your region?
Genkidesu blogged about the coolest 'hoods in the world, which places Jimbocho as number one. https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/genkidesu/GB7kY-living What's your favorite neighbourhood in Tokyo or another major city? What makes it a stand-out that brings you back again and again?
Best Answer
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on Oct 3
You probably won't be surprised that my answer is Kawagoe. I love that after 19 years I can still find new-to-me spots and fascinating tidbits of information. I love the alleys in Kawagoe and of course all the historic buildings and the replicas too. And then there's the shrines and the temples ...and the food!
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on Sep 27
Great question! Locally in Minamiuonuma I really love Shiozawa, specifically Bokushi Street. It's an Edo-period reconstruction of what the street would have looked like back in the day, and everything from the post office to banks are all traditional-looking. There are also some cute places to grab a bite to eat. In Tokyo, I feel like picking a favorite neighborhood is a bit akin to trying to pick a favorite child! It's too hard to do, and I love lots of areas for different qualities they have. A few that spring to mind are Shimokitazawa (love the vibe and the second-hand shops), Daikanyama (trendy but not as busy as neighboring Shibuya), and Ueno (the plethora of museums + the park are always a winner).
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on Oct 5
@genkidesu You made me look up Bokushi Street. Wow, it's retro Japan with shelter from snow. How cool! I'm fond of a few neighbourhoods in Tokyo, too. One favourite I've written blogs and reviews about is Shibamata, a retro neighbourhood with old-fashioned shops on Taishakuten Sando. It's the approach to Taishakuten Temple. Nearby is the Taisho era Yamamoto-tei tea house, the Tora-san Museum (a tribute to the longest-running movie series), and the Edo River bank. Another Tokyo neighbourhood I'm drawn back to again and again is Hamamatsu-cho. It's home to two gardens - Hamarikyu and Kyu-Shibarikyu. You get great views of the port from the pier, too. Tokyo Port City Takeshiba is an office building home to a garden that climbs the facade. Last time I was there, my companions and I were surprised by the wet plaza, a horizontal water feature you can step into.
3 Answers