Things to do in Daikanyama
While only a couple of minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, Daikanyama feels like a different place altogether – it’s an elegant and refined neighbourhood, populated with stylish shops and cosy cafes. In fact, Vogue has described Daikanyama as the “Brooklyn of Tokyo”.
We’ve put together a guide on some of the must-visit places in Daikanyama to spend a charming afternoon in.
1. King George Sandwich Bar – Made-to-order sandwiches
Image credits: King George
A small lifestyle sandwich bar based in Daikanyama, King George Sandwich Bar was opened in 2013 by a husband-and-wife team and named after their cat.
Image credits: King George
The sandwich bar occupies the second and third floor of the building. On sunny days, you can take your food up to the ivy-covered outdoor terrace.
Image credits: King George
Sandwiches are made with fresh local ingredients that are meant to be both filling and healthy. The King George sandwich (¥1300, ~USD11.95) is its signature sandwich, made with oven-baked turkey, provolone and rye.
Image credits: King George
Wash your meals down with a simple filter coffee (¥500, ~USD4.60), or one of the signature cocktails (from ¥800, ~USD7.35).
Image credits: King George
Image credits: King George
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM – 9PM | Sat 11AM-10PM | Sun 11AM-6PM
Address: 11-13 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website
2. Daikanyama T-Site – A bookstore in the woods
Image credits: @salvagepublic
Dubbed the jewel of Daikanyama, Daikanyama T-Site is a neo-modernist building with award-winning architecture. Its name is short for Daikanyama Tsutaya – Tsutaya is Japan’s largest bookstore chain. Interestingly, the facade of the building features interlocking T-shapes.
Step inside and you’ll find shelves upon shelves of books and magazines. Boasting an extensive selection of the printed word – some already out-of-print – this literary enclave is a must-visit for all book lovers.
Image credits: Daikanyama T-Site
An entire floor of this complex is dedicated to music and movie archives, where you can browse and view them for hours on end.
Image credits: Daikanyama T-Site
It’s easy to get lost in this massive bookstore and spend hours perusing the impressive selection of content they have there. Even for non-book lovers, the elaborate interior design here is reason enough to visit.
Image credits: @daikanyama.cars
Nothing’s more calming than getting absorbed in a good book. If sipping on coffee in a lounge while flipping through a rare vintage magazine is your ideal way to unwind on a lazy afternoon, then head on down to this beautiful mega-bookstore.
Opening Hours: 1st Floor 7AM-2AM, Daily | 2nd Floor 9AM-2AM, Daily
Address: 17-5 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website
3. Spring Valley Brewery Tokyo – A beer break between shopping
Image credits: @followy_l2_
If shopping around the Daikanyama neighbourhood is taking a toll on you, catch a beer break in this small, comfortable brewery.
Located along Log Road with several other cafes, Spring Valley Brewery is a popular haunt amongst shoppers visiting Daikanyama.
Image credits: @londonfoodholic
The restaurant-and-brewery is owned by Japan’s macro-brewer Kirin, but it offers craft beers that aren’t found elsewhere.
The brewpub serves a variety of six craft beers – pamper yourself by ordering a pint (¥780, ~USD7.20). Better still, try the beer flight (¥1,000, ~USD9.20) – a tasting menu of all six beers. The brewery also has recommendations for food pairings with their beers on the menu.
Tasting flight of six beers
Image credits: @yutakurin
You can lounge under the umbrellas and people-watch while you quench your thirst. Alternatively, grab a seat inside to marvel at the steampunk-ish fermentation tanks while sipping on quality Japanese craft beer.
Image credits: Spring Valley Brewery
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-12AM | Sun 8AM-10PM
Address: Log Road Daikanyama, 13-1 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website
4. Kyu Asakura House – Century-old wooden house
Image credits: @elwitz
The Kyu Asakura House is a well-preserved example of Taisho-era architecture and is classified as an Important Cultural Property, having survived earthquakes, fires, and wars that had destroyed much of Tokyo.
The house was built in 1919 as the private home of politician Torajiro Asakura, who served as the Tokyo Prefectural Assembly Chairman and the Shibuya Ward Assembly Chairman.
Image credits: @yumi.8331
Roam around the beautifully conserved rooms in this century-old two-storey wooden house. There is a Japanese cedar room, a zashiki room – a traditional sitting room with tatami flooring – and a garden that’s especially beautiful in spring and autumn.
Image credits: @17kilometer
With few visitors and a ¥100 (~USD0.90) entrance fee, the Kyu Asakura House is an affordable must-visit site for a zen experience.
Entrance fee: ¥100 (~USD0.90)
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 10AM-4.30PM | Closed on Mon
Address: 29-20 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0033, Japan
Website
5. Weekend Garage Tokyo (WGT) – Casual dining in a garage
Image credits: @cafehop_gram
With a belief that “every day is a weekend”, Weekend Garage Tokyo prides itself on being a “secret base for adults” with interest in cars, motorcycles, bicycles, surfing, music, fashion, art, and DIY.
Weekend Garage Tokyo is a stylish and casual restaurant, serving up fusion cuisines inspired by Japan and the West. Teppan, or hotplate dishes, are one of their signatures.
Image credits: @ryo_komura
The restaurant’s 5 metre-high ceilings and interiors are designed to look like a garage and add an interesting twist to the dining experience.
You can find beers from around the world here, such as Blue Moon from the US, which go for ¥850 (~USD7.80) a bottle.
Image credits: @cafehop_gram
Live bands play every week. The weekly schedule is updated on their Facebook page.
Image credits: @weekend_garage_tokyo
Opening hours: 11.30AM-11.30PM, Daily
Address: 1-1 Grava Daikanyama, Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0034, Japan
Website
6. Henry’s Burger – Wagyu burgers to go
Image credits: @henrysburgerdaikanyama
You won’t find your typical fast-food fare here.
Henry’s Burgers are made with 100% kuroge (Grade A5 black beef) wagyu beef. Each cow is chosen by chef Kentaro Nakahara, who went by the name of Henry when he was living in California. The beef is then coarsely ground into patties so that it retains its original texture.
Image credits: @henrysburgerdaikanyama
The shop itself only has four seats, with the bulk of its orders being takeaways.
A single patty burger starts at ¥880 (~USD8.10) and the combo with fries and drink is ¥1,180 (~USD10.85). You can also choose to pair it with a draft beer for an additional ¥300 (~USD2.75).
Image credits: @je.mayuuuko
If you are craving a taste of Henry’s premium burgers but Daikanyama is out of the way for you, there is a second outlet in Akihabara.
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Address: 1 Chome-36-6 Ebisunishi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
Website
7. Shuichi – Curry ramen
Image credits: @dontstopmenow0119
Shuichi is a nondescript ramen restaurant frequented only by locals, occupying a basement on a quiet road closer to the Ebisu neighbourhood.
It specialises in curry ramen, which is technically an Indian-Japanese fusion dish. Patrons have described its curry as an umami explosion, and that the chargrilled chashu pairs well with the spices.
Do order the classic Curry Ramen or Curry Tsukemen, which are Shuichi’s signature dishes. Each one costs ¥980 (~USD9) if you want all the toppings, including wonton dumplings and chashu pork.
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11AM-5AM | Sun 11AM-11PM
Address: YAMA Building B1F, 1-9-2 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
Website
8. Le Labo – Tokyo-exclusive fragrance
Image credits: @kxx_xx2
Le Labo is a New York-based fragrance company, best known for its Rose 31 and Santal 33 fragrances.
At the Daikanyama and Ginza outlets, you can get the Tokyo-exclusive fragrance, Gaiac 10. It’s a subtle skin scent suitable for all genders and has notes of guaiac wood, musk, cedar and olibanum.
Image credits: @zodwa
You can personalise the labels of the perfume bottles to make great gifts for your friends. Candles and lotions are popular souvenirs too. You’ll even get to see your perfume made right in front of your eyes.
Image credits:@______lotus
Like other Le Labo outlets around the world, the Daikanyama branch boasts an instantly recognisable cosy yet minimalist design.
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Address: 1 Chome-35-2 Ebisunishi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan
Website
9. Lift – Avant-garde fashion and art gallery
Image credits: @blueyoui
European haute couture fashion finds itself a home in this fusion of an art gallery and fashion store.
Image credits: @blueyoui
Lift is made up of Lift écru, Lift étage and Lift Showroom. Lift écru is the store, while Lift étage is the art gallery.
Image credits: @from_1mman
There are frequent collaborations with fashion designers and the exhibits are regularly refreshed. This is a must-visit spot for fashion enthusiasts in need of some inspiration.
Image credits: @akio_kaburagi
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Address: 16-5, 1F Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0034
Website
10. Hollywood Ranch Market – Quality casual clothing shop
Image credits: @miuranaoko
Hollywood Ranch Market may be a small and casual clothing shop, but it’s filled with interesting and quality clothing. Many drop by when visiting Daikanyama to purchase a few items as gifts, or just to acquire some well-made statement pieces that’ll last a long time, unlike fast-fashion clothing.
Originally from Segandaya, the shop made a name for itself by selling casual apparel, like used denim, chambray, and flannel shirts.
Image credits: @hollywood_ranch_market
The shop relocated to Daikanyama in 1979, where it now imports clothing brands from around the world with a focus on its own brands from Seilin & Co. Hollywood Ranch Market was crucial in the development of Daikanyama’s status as a fashion centre in Tokyo.
Image credits: @hollywood_ranch_market
Opening hours: 11AM-8.30PM, Daily
Address: 28-17 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0033, Japan
Website
11. Okura – Indigo-dyed clothing store
Image credits: @khanh_vu_
Okura is the flagship store of Blue Blue Japan, a clothing brand that’s also under Seilin & Co. Okura specialises in casual and modern indigo-dyed clothing. The shop opened in April 1993 in Daikanyama, just down the road from Hollywood Ranch Market.
Image credits: @okura_official
The clothes in Okura are distinctly Japanese, with traditional motifs and prints along with its signature rich-indigo colours.
Image credits:@okura_official
Fun fact: Okura is housed in an old Japanese warehouse, or kura (倉).
Image credits: @blue_blue_japan
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11.30AM-8PM | Sat – Sun 11AM-8.30PM, Daily
Address: 20-11 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033, Japan
Website
Guide to Daikanyama
Daikanyama has been described as the “Brooklyn of Tokyo” by Vogue, and it’s easy to see why. Take a short stroll from nearby Shibuya and discover these quaint spots in this charming neighbourhood in Tokyo when you’re in the city!
Check out these articles:
- Barista-recommended speciality coffee shops
- Next level Japanese pancakes
- Cheap restaurants in Tokyo under USD8
- Cafes in Tokyo with unique menus
- Authentic Japanese ramen
Cover image adapted from: @henrysburgerdaikanyama and @17kilometer
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