A City Guide Through Lomo Eyes

Remember what Holly Golightly said about Tiffany’s? That “nothing very bad could happen to you there”… Well, Tokyo is my Tiffany’s.

* Lo-Fi Tokyo in Google Maps
** Thank you, Deborah, for the comment who prompted this project.
*** This guide is collected from a visit in December 2008.

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新宿・代々木 SHINJUKU & YOYOGI

中古カメラボックス Camera Box
1-13-7 Nishi-shinjuku B1F
Shinjuku-ku

Looking for second-hand camera and equipment?

Isetan Shinjuku
3-14-1 Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku

Probably the best department store and the most amazing food hall in the world. If you only had time for one stop…

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渋谷・代官山・恵比寿 SHIBUYA, DAIKANYAMA & EBISU

A.P.C. Femme
11-9 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

Because there are products I didn’t see in the London stores.

Book1st.
Dai-ichi Kangin Kyodo Bldg B1F+B2F
23-3 Udagawa-cho
Shibuya-ku

There are many bookshops around Shibuya station but I like this one in particular as it stocks back issues of magazines.

チャモロ Chamoro
1-2-8 Ebisu-minami B1F
Shibuya-ku

A small, family-run restaurant. Their deep-fried prawn with omu-rice seemed especially popular while we were there. Since it was winter when we visited, we had comfort food like hayashi rice, corn soup, asparagus butter and vegetable gratin. Kept us warm and happy on our walk back to the hotel.

中華そば すずらん Chuka-soba Suzuran
3-7-5 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku

Noodles made in-house in different styles and widths set Suzuran apart from the standard ramen shop.

Concierge Grand
12-8 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

The interior of the store is more French brocante than any Parisian equivalent I’ve been to. Though not all the products are necessarily antique, they fit in with the mood well.

COOKCOOP
1-11-1 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku

Tasty book store, as they call it. My kind of place.

ドン・キホーテ Don Quijote
2-25-7 Dogenzaka
Shibuya-ku

If for any reason you feel like you need a Louis Vuitton speedy, an animal-shaped cleaning sponge or the latest digital camera at 2:00 a.m., Donki is your store.

FLUffY
4-15 Uguisudani-cho
Shibuya-ku

This tiny bakery specialising in bread made with natural yeast is a sensory treat. A good variety is baked on the premises daily so you’ll be treated to lovely smells while making your selection. Everything is thoughtfully packaged too.

Freshness Burger
2-25-7 Dogenzaka
Shibuya-ku

Burgers might not have been invented in Japan but they have definitely been improved here. You can probably find a prettier branch than the one I was at though.

Hillside Pantry
18-16 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

Grocery, deli and bakery.

歩粉 hoco
1-35-5 Ebisu
Shibuya-ku

Simple and natural-tasting baked goods with season-appropriate flavours. The store is intimate and calm and, I imagine, perfect for relaxing over a cup of tea, scones and cakes after work.

in Touch
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel 1F
26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho
Shibuya-ku

I didn’t even have to step out of my hotel to shop. This design shop has a really good selection of beautiful yet functional objects from Japan and the world.

journal standard luxe
Apple Ohmi Bldg 1F
1-5-7 Jinnan
Shibuya-ku

Part of the Baycrew*s group, journal standard luxe mixes brands like Universal Utility and Daniela Gregis with their own-label products. All expertly styled and merchandised, of course.

Just Dog Market
5-7 Sarugakucho
Shibuya-ku

If you love the corgi breed, you have to visit this pet shop as you will be greeted by four!

暮らす。 Kurasu
20-13 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

Hand-crafted pottery, glassware, fabric and other home products in Japanese style, both traditional and contemporary.

Lotus baguette
29-1 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

Food venture from the people behind Hollywood Ranch Market, Lotus makes Japanese-style breads with natural leaven and organic ingredients.

Maison Martin Margiela
Kyouden Bldg 1F
2-8-13 Ebisu-minami
Shibuya-ku

Margiela shops around the world are always destination storess. This Ebisu one is especially good.

Matsunotsuke NY
D-11 Hill Side Terrace
29-9 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

I’ve never been to New England so I don’t have a basis for comparison but the apple pies here are tasty indeed. I wanted to try their biscuits too but they were sold out by the time I got there (slightly after midday).

Nanamica
26-14 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

For the sports and casual wear look rather than actual performance gear. The North Face Purple Label, Filson and more…

おにぎり田田 Onigiri Denden
23-4 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

Perfect for a quick snack of onigiri – rice formed into a ball and complemented with flavours such as parmesan, salmon or kimchi.

渋谷西村總本店 Shibuya Nishimura
22-2 Udagawa-cho
Shibuya-ku

I had breakfast here together with other early-bird Japanese grannies. The menu – strawberry sandwiches, pudding a la mode and banana choco parfait – sounds straight out of a girlish manga although I am recommending Nishimura not because of the quality of the food but for its delightful branding.

Via Bus Stop
28-14 Sarugaku-cho
Shibuya-ku

Multi-label women’s wear store: quite sophisticated, very nice.

Viron Shibuya
33-8 Udagawa-cho
Shibuya-ku

If you are craving classic French breads and pastries while in Tokyo…

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原宿・表参道・青山 Harajuku, Omotesando & Aoyama

Annon cook
5-25-5 Jingu-mae 2F
Shibuya-ku

You’ll feel very looked after in this café – from the food (tastes of healthy home cooking with brown rice as carb) to the service (I was offered a basket to hold my bag so I don’t have to have it on the floor).

Arts & Science
6-6-20 Minami-aoyama
Minato-ku

Stylist Sonya Park’s shop. You have read her shopping guides, right?

Brown Rice Cafe
5-1-17 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Good for when you’re feeling travel fatigue. My pick is their brown rice and steamed vegetables set.

Brown Rice Deli Omote
5-1-8 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Things to take away.

Cabane de Zucca, COW BOOKS and Dragonfly CAFE
3-13-14 Minami-aoyama
Minato-ku

Three good reasons to visit then? Especially miss the mulberry leaf pound cake at Dragonfly.

CIBONE and Dean & Deluca
Aoyama Bell Commons B1F+1F
2-14-6 Kita-aoyama
Minato-ku

CIBONE is a very well-curated store. Goods for interior, kitchen, fashion, health, gifts… everything really. Dean & Deluca may be a New York institution but don’t write off their Tokyo stores. They have selected the best local suppliers to supplement international imports for their deli market.

d’une rarete
GYRE B1
5-10-1 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Choco’ trefle, Cube-B, Bretonne… Oh my, I can’t wait to be back to try more.

DEUXIEME CLASSE
5-3-25 Minami-aoyama
Minato-ku

Another Baycrews production. This one is a women’s select shop with an international flavour.

edit.for LuLu
4-2-14 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

I like edit.for Lulu’s attitude towards dressing.

F.I.L. Tokyo
5-9-17 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Home to Visvim. One of the most visually appealing retail spaces in Tokyo.

Free&Easy The Rugged Museum
2-9-15 Kita-aoyama
Minato-ku

The magazine’s motto is for the young and the young-at-heart. The store stocks Americana classics, utilitarian workwear plus military and outdoor selections. Vintage and reproductions.

Goro’s
4-29-4 Jingu-mae 2F
Shibuya-ku

Mr Goro Takahashi has had a fascinating life story and this is probably what draws me to the American Indian jewellery he creates. If you see people on the benches or rails outside the store, they are likely to be queueing to get in.

Head Porter
3-21-12 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Their bags and accessories are the perfect thing for city living.

hp*annex and A.P.C. Harajuku Underground
4-27-6 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Clothing line from Head Porter plus another A.P.C. branch in the basement.

Natural House
3-6-18 Kita-aoyama
Minato-ku

Organic food shopping.

Omotesando Hills
4-12-10 Jingumae
Shibuya-ku

Favourites: R style (3F, M318), kisara (B2F, MB211) and The North Face (B3F, MB317).

Oshman’s
1-14-29 Jingumae
Shibuya-ku

Excellent sporting goods store. I find things from Champion and Saint James that I can’t find anywhere else in the world.

PURE CAFE
5-5-21 Minami-aoyama
Minato-ku

From Cafe Eight’s family, vegan food and sweets.

SOPH.
3-34-10 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

Sophisticated casual clothing for men but I don’t usually let that get in the way since their sizes run so small.

しゃぶ禅 Shabu-Zen
Shibuya Creston Hotel B1
10-8 Kamiyama-cho
Shibuya-ku

The shabu-shabu restaurant as seen in Lost in Translation.

Soup Curry Dining Shanti
Honorary Harajuku Bldg 2F
3-26-11 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku

I thought I accidentally stumbled upon a teenager’s birthday party. So this is where Harajuku kids go for their refuel. Memorable curry in soup style with custom levels of spiciness. I only went to 4 and will aim for higher next time. I get cravings from time to time in London.

Undercover
5-3-18 Minami-aoyama
Minato-ku

I was so impressed by the Grace exhibition. So beautiful. Store is beautiful too.

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目黒 MEGURO

Cafe Eight
3-17-7 Aobodai
Meguro-ku

They make amazing vegan desserts like banana bread pudding (no eggs, no sugar, no dairy!). Pretty cookbooks and small range of original kitchenware.

COW BOOKS
1-14-11 Aobodai
Meguro-ku

I really like Cow Books. They send me magazines that I can’t get easily from Amazon. Even though you may visit their other store in Aoyama, you should still come here.

General Store
1-14-11 Aobodai
Meguro-ku

My favourite Research so far is Prisoner Suit Research. You?

Jantique
1-26-9 Kami-meguro
Meguro-ku

I would happily move half the stock in this shop back to London if I had the resources. Excellent antique and vintage clothing and accessory selection covering many grounds.

金菜 Kinsai
1-27-12 Aobadai
Naka-meguro

Delicious izakaya cooking. Deep-fried nagaimo… I miss you.

とんき Tonki
1-1-2 Shimo-meguro
Meguro-ku

Very established and classic tonkatsu restaurant. If my memory serves me right, the ground floor is counter sitting, table sitting on the next floor up and the top is private rooms. Take your pick.

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駒場・下北沢 KOMABA & SHIMO-KITAZAWA

日本民芸館 Nihon Mingeikan
4-3-33 Komaba
Meguro-ku

I’m recommending this museum/gallery to you though I’ve never been in myself. I happened to visit on the day they were having a renewal. You can see Japanese folk arts and crafts and the area with its traditional Wa-style buildings is beautiful.

Angelica
2-19-15 Kitazawa
Setagaya-ku

Curry buns, Japanese-style! Bread dough stuffed with a dry curry filling then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. This is the bakery to get one of the best in Tokyo.

HARA DONUTS
3-27-2 Shimo-kitazawa
Setagaya-ku

Healthy is the selling point for the soy milk and okara doughnuts here but I wouldn’t touch them if they weren’t delicious. Hara’s ones are so good now I prefer them to the real (greasy and sugary) things.

月天 Gatten
2-1-3 Kitazawa
Setagaya-ku

Antique and junk from Japanese years gone by.

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自由が丘・ 九品仏 JIYUGAOKA & KUHONBUTSU

CIBONE JIYUGAOKA with Table Modern Service
2-17-8 Jiyugaoka
Meguro-ku

Smaller than Cibone in Aoyama but this one has a café upstairs.

d&department
8-3-2 Okusawa
Setagaya-ku

Best pictorial menu I’ve seen. Café food Japanese style meaning dishes hayashi omu rice and dry curry on rice. Also has a good selection of salads and desserts.

IDEE SHOP
2-16-29 Jiyugaoka
Meguro-ku

Zakka. Nice picks.

Patisserie Paris S’eveille
2-14-5 Jiyugaoka
Meguro-ku

Suffering from memory loss at 1:00 a.m. Can’t remember what I ate here but it is delicious I believe.

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六本木・麻布 ROPPONGI & AZABU

Chianti
3-17-26 Nishi-azabu B1F
Minato-ku

Well-established Italian restaurant, feels very homey. The highlight is when they present the dessert trolley: more than 20 to choose from and everything I tried was delicious.

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銀座・日本橋 GINZA & NIHONBASHI

新丸の内ビルディング Shin-Marunouchi Building
1-5-1 Marunouchi
Chiyoda-ku

Highlights!
B1F: Point en Ligne (bread and black sesame butter), 日本の御馳走 えん En.
1F: Arts & Science, Santa Maria Novella, Delfonics
2F: Dressterior (Yes, yes, yes!)
3F: Margaret Howell
4F: Bshop, Bshop kitchen & garden

Many UK things (not found in the UK) to be found in this building. Lots of stores selling Repetto too.

千疋屋総本店日本橋本店 Sembikiya
2-1-2 Nihonbashimuro-machi
Chuo-ku

Fruit sandwich, mmm…

Postalco
2-2-18 Kyobashi 4F
Chuo-ku

Sartorial stationery, does that make sense? Postalco people also kindly made a free map of the nice things in Kyobashi.

柳屋 Yanagi-ya
2-11-3 Nihonbashi Ningyo-cho
Chuo-ku

I don’t even like taiyaki or sweet red bean that much but I felt compelled to queue for one at this stalwart. You’ll be entertained by the “dance” the taiyaki maker engages in: filling the moulds with batter and filling, grilling and shuffling them over the charcoal, removing the cooked ones just in time and trimming off the burnt bits just before serving to the customer. I mentioned that I didn’t like taiyaki that much but when I finished this one, I wished I got more. So, so good.

洋食小春軒 Yoshoku Koharu-ken
1-7-9 Nihonbashi Ningyo-cho
Chuo-ku

Serving Japanese-style Western food since 1912! I enjoyed it. Completed my Ningyo-cho experience. I really like this area.

有便堂 Yubendo
1-6-6 Nihonbashimuro-machi
Chuo-ku

Japanese art supplies and stationery shop. My favourite part is the display cabinet with rows and rows of pigments made from natural minerals.

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上野・浅草 UENO & ASAKUSA

松葉屋商店 Matsuba-ya Shoten
6-10-1 Ueno
Taito-ku

Other than American sports and military wear, dried goods from various Japanese regions such as golden sesame seeds or purple mottled beans are another feature of the market at Ueno.

お菓子の森 Okashi no Mori
1-11-10 Matsugaya 2F
Taito-ku

There are many cookware shops on Kappabashi-dori but if you’re after baking supplies, head straight to Okashi no Mori. I especially like stocking up on miniature baking trays and moulds that can be so hard to find back home in London. Excellent selection of cookie cutters too.

ペリカン Pelican
4-7-4 Kotobuki
Taito-ku

Pelican only makes two types of bread, butter rolls and loaves, but there is often a queue at the bakery for their freshly-made Japanese-style soft bread.

吉田菓子道具店 Yoshida Kashidougu-ten
2-6-5 Nishi-Asakusa
Taito-ku

Another baking supplies shop, I found cookie cutters shaped like cutlery here and the people in here are very nice.

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吉祥寺 KICHIJOJI

CINQ plus
2-28-3 Kichijoji Hon-cho 1F
Musashino-shi

You might wonder why I have to go all the way to Tokyo for home objects from Europe but a lot of the selections here I have never seen in the UK. This is the sister shop of CINQ in Harajuku.

グルッペ Gruppe
1-25-24 Kichijoji Higashi-cho
Musashino-shi

Part of a chain of natural foods stores, I included this branch because it’s conveniently located opposite Sajilo Cafe, which you’ll have to visit. Good for stocking up on soy, sesame and seaweed products.

百年 Hyakunen
Murata Bldg 2F
2-2-10 Kichijoji Hon-cho
Musashino-shi

Well-presented bookshop with selection of new and old books, magazines and independent zines.

Sajilo Cafe
1-36-8 Kichijoji Hon-cho
Musashino-shi

One of my favourite finds, Sajilo is an airy café serving food from Nepal. The curries have a delicate balance of spices and the naans are some of the fluffiest I’ve ever had. I especially love the pots of succulents surrounding the space.

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