Hakea Holiday Guide: the best places to shop, sip and surf in Tokyo

Words by Hakea Founder, Casey Eastwell
16 July 2024
I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first visit to Tokyo but I can safely say it wasn’t to stumble across a dreamy surf break. Tokyo was an endless maze of vibrant neighbourhoods, each with a distinct charm and character. From the neon-lit streets of Shinjuku to the vintage-lined streets of Shimokitazawa, the city offers a tapestry of captivating and diverse experiences. It’s a city that stole my heart instantly. Sipping natural wine in Yoyogi Park, shopping in Shimokitazawa, smokey listening bars in Shibuya and catching waves at Shichirigahama. There's truly something for everyone here.
 
 
 
Shinjuku: The Heartbeat of Tokyo
Shinjuku is a must. It’s the perfect place to wander aimlessly, discovering cool little hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants. For a late-night bite or to soak up the lively atmosphere, head to Golden Gai, a pocket of tiny bars, some seating as few as five people. Omoide Yokocho, the restaurant equivalent, is packed with small eateries serving some of the best sushi, ramen, and yakitori Tokyo has to offer. For a touch of cinematic charm, visit New York Bar at the top of the Park Hyatt (closed for renovations until October 2025) for the full Lost in Translation experience.
 
Yoyogi Park: Sip and Relax
After a day of shopping and sightseeing, I recommend heading to Yoyogi Park to unwind. The green oasis in the city is ideal for a stroll, but also home to some fantastic coffee spots like Fuglen, or natural wine bars like Ahiru Store to fuel up or wind down.
 
 
Shibuya: Trendy and Energetic
Shibuya is synonymous with trendy. From bars like Grandfathers and Swig to stylish boutique stores, it's the spot for design enthusiasts and foodies. Spend your days perusing the racks of local boutiques and nights sipping good cocktails at some of the most atmospheric and design-led spots in town.
 
 
Harajuku: Quirky and Fun
Here you’ll find a mix of high-end and thrift shops. The best second-hand designer stores - Ragtag, Kindal and 2nd Street - are sprinkled along Cat Street. A short stroll away are some of my favourite independent boutiques, Deuxieme Classe and Carol.
 
 
 
 

Daikanyama: Little Brooklyn

Just southwest of Shibuya Station lies Daikanyama, a neighbourhood that feels like a slice of Brooklyn in Tokyo. It's chic, laid-back, and perfect for a day exploring the stylish boutiques (Plage) and cozy bookshop cafes along the canal.
 
 
 
 

Shimokitazawa: Vintage Heaven

Shimokitazawa, reminiscent of Melbourne’s inner north, is packed with vintage shops - a haven for those who love hunting for unique, second-hand treasures. Spend your day browsing through its many stores, and you'll surely find something special. 

We spent a few nights in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Shimokitazawa, and this area quickly became our favorite for its more local feel. We received some excellent local tips for dining and drinking, which you can find saved on the Google Maps list below. Try the Obanzai (a selection of small tasting plates originating from Kyoto) and Yuzu cocktails at Kokochi, or the French/Japanese fusion and locally made Japanese natural wines at Musha Musha. Afterwards, enjoy a nightcap at Little Soul Cafe, a cozy, lounge-style listening bar with over 14,000 records.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nishihara: Local Vibes

Nearby Shibuya, Nishihara is another laid-back, trendy neighbourhood with a more local feel. You can find Paddlers Coffee and Forest Limit, a live music venue with DJs and club nights that play an eclectic mix of experimental, ambient and folk. 

Ginza: Luxury and Elegance

Ginza is a more upscale neighbourhood, home to luxury boutiques and some of the best sushi restaurants in the city. It was my least favourite area to just wander around, however, nearby you’ll find the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, an interactive art experience teamLab Planets and the MOT Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo all worth visiting.

 

 

 

Surfing at Shichirigahama

One of the best recommendations we received was from the buying team at Ron Herman, who told us to visit Shichirigahama. A surf beach just an hour's train ride from Tokyo, a longboarder's paradise with streets reminiscent of Malibu and waves that work best during the summer months. The road hugs the coastline, offering a scenic drive with the ocean on one side and cafes and shops lining the other. There are plenty of places to rent boards and restaurants to explore in Kamakura, making it a perfect day trip or overnight stay for the best mix of surfing, shopping, eating and drinking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to stay 

 

General Travel Tips: 

  • Buy a Suico card at the airport so you can top it up easily and use all of the public transport systems without having to buy a ticket each time. 
  • Take your passport shopping so you can get a tax refund. 
  • It pays to have some cash on you at all times
  • Purchase an e-sim before you arrive so you can download the LUUP app and hire bicycles to get around and soak in the city. 
  • Using Google Maps makes getting around a lot easier, plus you can save our ‘Google Maps Lists’ below to find all of the places mentioned above plus a whole lot more to navigate around with ease. 
  • The Holiday Crossbody Bag came with me everywhere. It fit my laptop to travel with on the plane and everything I needed for a full day out exploring. 

 

Download our Google Maps list here.

 

Is there anything else you’d want to know before going to Japan? Email hello@hakeaswim.com and I’ll send through my tips.

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