If you enjoy leaving the touristy areas of Tokyo, you love exploring trendy and high end coffee shops, and you’re into street art, then here’s a perfect plan for you.
The residential area of Ikejiri Ohashi is only one stop away from busy and non-sleeping Shibuya. On March this year, the quiet neighborhood held a “Coffee Town” festival. Since then, this area has built up a reputation of supreme joe and expert baristas. When you try one at any of the multiple coffee shops is hard to disagree on this.
The original and stylish coffee bars makes the neighborhood fun to explore and hop from one shop to the other. The real challenge is to choose your favorite coffee, the most original shop, and most importantly to pace yourself with the caffeine. Although there are more than twelve stores in the small district, here are some examples of what you might expect.
Jam Stand Coffee is a mix between café, vintage store, common working area, repair shop, and a DIY store. Don’t miss to visit the colorful room with its walls decorated with Frida Kahlo, Virgin Mary and Ganesh.
Paradise Tokyo / Wacko Maria is a clothes store, a bar, and of course, a coffee shop. All the music played is a selection of the numerous collection of vinyl records. Walk to the end of the store and you will see them. Bubbles Chill on the other hand is a tiny corner where you will enjoy the traditional drip style coffee. There are no chairs, but that makes it easier to talk with friendly Yoshi.
Whatever shop you discover, make sure you grab a “Meet Up” card. If you manage to have a stamp from the seven participating cafés before October 16, exchange it for a prize.
On the same area, German based street artist El Bocho is showing his new work. All of it was created during his stay in Japan. Some of his older and famous pieces are also being displayed, including his signature symbol, Little Lucy doll.
The exhibition is being held in two different places, five minutes walking distance from each other. Both galleries are open from 12 pm to 8 pm. 104 Rmond (1-6-4 Shashi) is closed on Wednesday and 104 Galerie (104 Meguro-Heights, 3-22-1 AoBadai) on Monday. The art will be displayed until October 15.
