This story is part of the August 18 edition of Sunday Life. See all 15 stories . Zan Rowe, Radio and television presenter Shimokitazawa is like the Newtown or Fitzroy of Tokyo, says Rowe.
Tokyo is both huge and regenerative ...
you can go back time and again and always see something new. On my last trip, I stayed in Shimokitazawa. It’s like the Newtown or Fitzroy of Tokyo, full of excellent vintage stores, boutiques and bars, and famous for its soup curry.
If you’re craving vegetables, Rojiura Curry Samurai will make you a big bowl. Then wander to Jet Set Records and find some of the best house, soul, disco and techno vinyl, with a brilliant selection of limited-edition Japanese wax. If you’re a fan of homewares, seek out Claska Gallery & Shop for beautiful ceramics, kitchenware and even miniature foods.
JBS (Jazz Blues Soul) is a well-known bar among music lovers, and really is special. It has walls of records front to back, with the owner choosing the tunes and pouring the drinks. It’s beer or whisky, so sit back with a highball and enjoy the master selector introducing you to something new.
I recently found heaven walking along the river in Nakameguro while browsing the design stores. The sway of the cherry trees almost transported me to another era. Season two of Take 5 with Zan Rowe is now showing on ABC iView.
Sarah Blasko, Singer/songwriter “Visit the amazing Naoshima Island and I Love Yu, which is both a public bath house and an artwork.” I first when to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto with my husband Dave, before we married and had kids. We also visited the beautiful art island, Naoshima.
In Tokyo, I highly recommend tokyofoodfile.com for a foodie tour. We put in the hard yards and queued up for countless amazing places – our favourites were Kagari for ramen, Kamachiku for udon and Narutomi for soba and tempura.
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