After living in Poland for 4 months, it was time to venture off to my next location. I knew I wanted a different experience from the one in Poland and craved a culture away from the Western world. So I turned to the East. I packed a suitcase, found a sharehouse, and established a little routine in a destination filled with millions of people and what seemed to be endless skyscrapers: Tokyo, Japan. Here, I found an internship researching corals, as I wanted to focus more on my environmental studies side of things. However, I also spent many days meeting new people and exploring different parts of the city. After three months, I realized there was still so much I had yet to explore and so much to share. Whether it was finding little nooks and crannies on nights out or during long walks, here I wanted to share 4 hidden spots in Tokyo to check out on your next visit.
The Time Traveller’s Cafe – Perregaux
Okay, so this is not a café like in “When the Coffee Gets Cold” that allows you to time travel. But it does evoke the feel of what a café would be like in the 1960s, or at least what I would imagine it to be. Near my sharehouse, just down the street, sat this little café that would open its doors at 11 a.m. As I walked by, I could peer through, seeing the sign marked “open,” and I had to give it a try. When I first entered with my mom and brother, we found that not only is it a café, but an antique watch shop as well.
They offer reminders of home when you order their meals, with sets such as homemade chicken stewed in tomato sauce or more of a Japanese taste of curry rice. They also have wine and my favourite cake and coffee set. You can get a variety of sweets and different drinks, though I would suggest that this place gains more points for the atmosphere it brings. If you enjoy hole-in-the-wall spots and a quaint, quiet place to sip on your coffee while you look onto the street and passersby, then I definitely recommend checking out Perregaux.
Location: You’ll find this hybrid coffee shop and antique watch store just across from Kagurazaka station.
Wincourt Kagurazaka 304, 3-5 Minamiyamabushicho, Shinjuku-ku.
Website: http://www.perregaux-kagu.com/
A Vintage Treasure- Little Soul Cafe Tokyo
The day is coming to an end. You and your friends start searching for the next best place to go. There’s the usual bar down the street you could go to, or you could suggest something with a little more character. Well, Little Soul Cafe Tokyo may be the next bar to try out. Open from 19:00, this bar offers a vintage feel, labeling itself as the Vinyl music bar. Open since 1999, the bar attracts like-minded individuals such as music lovers or travelers just looking for a unique bar with a variety of delicious cocktails to choose from. Little Soul Cafe Tokyo is one of the bars I found that gained a spot on this list.
Though you can opt for your classic cocktail or whiskey, this bar also offers a taste of drinks from the Dominican Republic, as well as some more interesting mixes such as milk cocktails, Japanese whiskeys, and a variety of long and short cocktails.
Location: Japan, 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 3 Chome−20−2 大成ビル ２階
Website: https://www.littlesoulcafe.com/
For The Veggie Lovers – CORI Natural vegan food & Craft beer
The next destination is for the vegans and vegetarians in Japan, or those like me who just really like vegan food. Eliminating meat from your palate in a place like Japan can be challenging, with seafood and beef being adored segments of many dishes. It can be difficult to find variety beyond the usual vegetarian/vegan options of rice and cold noodles. With vegetarian friends, we tried out this spot for dinner, and not only was the food mouthwatering, but the atmosphere also added to the feeling of being at home with friends, talking endlessly over a homemade meal. Hidden beneath what I believe to be apartments, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant offers vegan karaage, burgers, falafel salads, and many options of hummus dishes. The cocktails and beers here are just as delicious additions to the meal.
Location: 4 Chome-2-20 Kamiuma, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0011, Japan
Website: https://en.cori-vege.com/blank
A Unique Gift for Home- Tsutaya Books Ginza
I’m not sure I can really label this as a hidden spot, as it is located in a mall on one of the famous streets of Tokyo, Ginza. If you’re nearing the end of your trip and are looking for a place to shop and grab some souvenirs for loved ones, this is a great place to go. The bookstore also doubles as an art gallery and showcases beautiful pieces as you wander through the aisles of books. Highlighting different artists, Tsutaya Books will awe you with its Japanese culture, photography, design, and any other books you are trying to find. They also offer great souvenirs made by artists, such as handkerchiefs, Japanese cutlery, posters, and perfume. So this time, you can bring home more than just a keychain or magnet to surprise loved ones with. After all, your souvenirs are only a mere reflection of the culture you so deeply explored, especially after visiting all these hidden spots around the beautiful city of Tokyo.
Location: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 6 Chome−10−1 ＳＩＸ６階
Website: https://store.tsite.jp/ginza/english/
Hope you enjoy exploring the city of Tokyo with these hole-in-the-wall whereabouts, and if you have any places you believe should be shared with fellow travelers and added to this list, please feel free to leave a comment below!
