On a recent trip to Japan , Anna King Shahab finds the perfect base for a first-timer in Tokyo - one that is convenient for the city’s attractions and with a calmness timid travellers will relish Just two stops on the underground from the scramble of Shibuya , Sangenjaya is a largely residential area that flies completely under the radar for tourists. An old district, its name translates as “three tea houses” hinting at its historical renown as a rest stop en route to the heart of Tokyo. Today it’s locally shortened to “Sancha”, and the neighbourhood still offers the sense of being right on the cusp of the metropolis, yet relatively tranquil.
A five-day stay in Sancha, helped along with insider knowledge of the area by a local friend, has me singing its praises as a neighbourhood more visitors should consider as a base for exploring the world’s most populous city. Here’s why: READ MORE: Viva’s Dining Out Editor, Jesse Mulligan, takes his family to Tokyo Enjoy the proximity without the pandemonium.