Tokyo Hidden Gems
Posted on March 16, 2025 • 3 minutes • 589 words
Today, I was supposed to go on a date to explore what my girlfriend told me was a hidden gem. Now, you might ask, “Why are you here writing this post instead of exploring?” Well, today is a rainy day…
So, with this in mind, I bring you some of the hidden corners of this massive city. If you ever find yourself with a free afternoon in Tokyo, here are some great places to explore.
1. Yanaka Ginza
Close your eyes. If I tell you to imagine Tokyo in the 1960s-70s, what you’re picturing is Yanaka Ginza. This area is essentially a walkable street where you can find handmade products, souvenirs, snacks, and even second-hand kimonos. This street is also known as “Cat Street” (though I’m not sure why), but it features several cat statues called “The Seven Lucky Cats.”
📍 Location: 3 Chome-13-1 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo
2. Kiba
Before moving to my current apartment, I used to live in Sumida. This gave me the chance to explore my surroundings, which is how I discovered Kiba.
The main attraction here is Kiba Park, making it a great alternative for cherry blossom season. Major parks like Yoyogi or Ueno will be packed, but Kiba Park offers a more relaxed atmosphere for a walk and a break from the city’s busy pace.
📍 Location: 4 Chome-6-1 Hirano, Koto City, Tokyo
If you’re planning to visit, you can also walk about 20 minutes to the next hidden spot.
3. Monzen-Nakacho
This area has a lot of interesting spots to check out:
- Naritasan Fukagawa Fudodo Temple – A fascinating Buddhist temple. If you’re lucky (like I was), you might witness a fire ritual, which is an impressive experience.
- Tomioka Hachiman-gu Shrine – This shrine has an interesting history, as it’s said to be the birthplace of modern sumo wrestling.
- River Walk – A beautiful riverside area lined with cherry blossoms, making it a popular date spot during sakura season.
- Cafés – There are some great coffee spots in this area. My personal favorite is Blue Bottle Coffee, which I’ll probably write about in a future post on café hopping in Tokyo.
- Tatsumi Shindo – A small alley filled with micro-bars, similar to the ones you can find in Golden Gai in Shinjuku.
📍 Location: Monzen-Nakacho, Kōtō, Tokyo
4. Kappabashi
If you’re thinking of buying any cooking gear during your stay in Japan, this is the place to go! Kappabashi sells everything from famous Japanese knives to chopsticks at affordable prices (no tourist price in here).
It’s funny how it’s just a 15-minute walk from Senso-ji, yet most tourists end up paying inflated prices for souvenirs there, unaware that Kappabashi exists. If you’re looking for a unique gift or some new kitchenware, this is the perfect spot.
📍 Location: Kappabashi, Taito City, Tokyo
5. Shimokitazawa
Do you like thrift shopping? Then your next stop should be Shimokitazawa, the most hipster area I’ve visited since moving to Tokyo. There are plenty of second-hand clothing shops and even a decent-sized flea market in the summer.
If you visit, I highly recommend stopping by Brooklyn Roasting Company, a great café where you can take a break from shopping and enjoy high-quality coffee.
📍 Location: Setagaya City, Kitazawa, Tokyo
Overview
There you have it! I’ve given you five different afternoon plans to add to your Tokyo itinerary. I’ll probably revisit this topic in the future when I discover more hidden spots. But for now, let’s keep these places a secret—we don’t want them to get overcrowded! 😉