A Walk around KOENJI - Tokyo, Japan

Exploring Koenji, a chilled Tokyo neighbourhood with vintage shops, cute cafes & bars.
If you like photography or Instagram, you could take so many pictures of the picturesque buildings and Japanese streets. Koenji's a retro area with lots of thrift stores and an alternative feel - similar to Shimokitazawa but less built up. It's not far from Kichijoji and Mitaka, so you could combine it with a visit to the Studio Ghibli Museum. While Koenji isn't a must-visit area, it's an interesting place to wander around on your second or third trip to Tokyo!
Also in the video:
- How much I spent
- Spotting kawaii characters
- A break in Sanshi no Mori Park
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#koenji #tokyo #japan

[@Casey_Jones]

When I was in Osaka, a young woman got off her bike, put the kickstand down, and just went in a shop. As an American I couldn't believe it! Especially doing it right in front of me, a tall bearded foreign man! So trusting!

[@cakeswithfaces]

The culture's very different when it comes to things like that! The stories you hear about people leaving their bags and wallets on the table in restaurants when they go to the bathroom are true. It's so pleasant to be somewhere you don't have to worry about being pick-pocketed or robbed all the time!

[@MoreLocations]

Very interesting town. Looks very peaceful and relaxing. 👍🏻😊

[@cakeswithfaces]

So chilled and completely different from central Tokyo :-)

[@PipkinsUK]

Only been to Koenji once on my travels and that was to see the awesome Star Wars shop STAR CASE (full of rare and expensive toys) which is to the north of the train station. A very nice and quiet area to go for a stroll. PS Bought your book Amy the other day and received it yesterday and think it's a perfect guide for somebody wanting to visit Japan. I only wish I had this kind of guide when I first visited the country. Keep up the good work.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much, so glad you like my book! That was exactly my aim - make the book I would have wanted when I first went! Looking forward to strolling around Koenji again. I love that these little specialist places exist - a real place to indulge in your fandom! :-)

[@jinbutsufumei]

Baabaa-kun must be the most kawaii character you could find running around with a razor! I also thought the spiral on his cylinder looked familiar, so had to dig deeper. Turns out he's a 'yuru-kyara', one of those mascots the Japanese seem to love, representing a national federation of barbers. The cylinder on the costume is red, white and blue like the barber emoji 💈. Loved the random(?) animals on the bridge, too! Thanks for continuing to discover these cute curiosities!

[@joestrong]

Yes, I noticed he was the barber symbol too

[@cakeswithfaces]

I think they’re fascinating (and cute). I find it so interesting how cartoons and characters are seen as for kids in other countries but in Japan it doesn’t always seem that way. You should look up Mondo Mascots on Twitter - he shares lots of yuru kyara!

[@jinbutsufumei]

@@cakeswithfaces Oh, don't worry, Amy, I found out about the mascots and their competitions a while ago. I even have a favourite, but English speakers may have to get past the fact that it is called 'Fukka-chan' 🙄

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@jinbutsufumei Is he your fav because of the name?? :-) He is cute though! My favourites are the Hiroshima tourist bus mascot and Moko, the Sapporo self-defence force mascot (very disappointed I didn't see him at the snow festival!).

[@jinbutsufumei]

@@cakeswithfaces No, I'm far too mature to snigger at his name 😐 but as a vegan I love the leeks growing out of his head 😆 I also got lost for hours in a site dedicated to Japanese access (or 'manhole' if you excuse the sexist assumption) covers. Amazing designs decorating something so mundane. If they introduced them round here I fear they would rapidly disappear!

[@jamesboard76]

I love photography, so I might try go there, it looks amazing!!

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'm sure you'll get some great results! Take a look at Yanaka too if you like taking pictures of little Japanese streets and alleyways.

[@jamesboard76]

I'll sure try, and thanks!

[@simazima9799]

We are glad to see your happy life ,and thank you for your explanation.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@194DAG]

Koenji is a place I would not have thought of visiting but it looks quite interesting. Thanks for another really informative video.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! It's not one of the well-known places but I enjoyed seeing all the picturesque buildings and streets.

[@Cholez_]

Hi ! I'm quite a new subscriber but I really love your channel and I've been binge watching ur vids! before I watched ur vids I was quite worried but exited to go to japan now after watching I'm 100% excited! and I was wondering if you could do a vid on like what's rude in japan and what to do to be polite and stuff like that unless you already have but I couldn't find one !! 😁😁😁

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much, that's great to hear! I was exactly the same before I first went - excited but also nervous. That's part of why I make my videos :-) Great idea - that would be perfect for my Japlanning series, I haven't covered that yet!

[@Cholez_]

@@cakeswithfaces cool I'll be looking forward to that vid 😀

[@honyarism]

Thank you for having interest my hometown!

[@cakeswithfaces]

You live in a fantastic place! :-)

[@theanimelord2877]

That cake looks so good lol

[@cakeswithfaces]

Cozy Corner's the best! I love their strawberry shortcake 😋🍰

[@petergregory6185]

Thank you so much for all of your really informative and fun vlogs. I also have to thank you very much for putting the uk prices up as a lots of items can be pretty pricey. Love you cakes and faces 😛😋

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks, so glad you like them! :-) Food in restaurants actually costs less than the UK (and good quality even if it's cheap!)

[@loopyfrog]

how sweet!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Perfect for instagram! :-)

[@MartinaTakano]

The BabaKun so cute, I just find your channel, really nice.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! Welcome to my channel :-) I love how there are so many character mascots in Japan!

[@iskandartaib]

@@cakeswithfaces He's a barber pole! 😁

[@DameDiabolique]

This is where we will be staying when we arrive in Japan in two weeks. Woohoo!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ooh not long to go! Hope you manage to catch the cherry blossoms, just seen they'll be early this year. Inokashira Park in Kichijoji's a great place to see them!

[@jclovesyousomuch]

This was a very helpful video on Koenji!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@bettywing52]

I recognize Koenji from the novel 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. I check out about the different neighborhoods and train stations on the pad when I'm reading from all over Japan.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'll have to give that a read! I've read a few Murakami novels but not that one.

[@Wood_969]

Cool .

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! :-)

[@MariannaVlogs]

Koenji is such a pretty area! The cafes are so cute ☕️ Love this 💕

[@cakeswithfaces]

Even the kind of shabby-looking places are so picturesque, I don’t know how they do it!

[@Tweezy786]

Ohh Koenji seems interesting! Adding this to my list of places to visit!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Maybe see what it's like in the evening when the bars are open?

[@Tweezy786]

Cakes with Faces Oh yes for sure! I’m not really into drinking anymore but in Japan I would be willing to make an exception to the nightlife haha

[@Tweezy786]

Cakes with Faces also random are u still currently living in Japan? If so have you visited the new Starbucks reserve roastery yet? It looks amazing! It’s the biggest Starbucks in the world! I would purchase their best matcha drink!

[@cakeswithfaces]

I've seen pics! Not a fan of Starbucks myself I'm afraid - just a bitter moral objection because they (proportionally) pay less taxes than me! I live in the UK but like to visit Japan whenever I can! :-)

[@Tweezy786]

Cakes with Faces Oh ok gotcha. & sorry I didn’t think about that! Interesting though!

[@dottieland7061]

I love this area, nice and reasonable to buy area to buy secondhand clothes, I love mode off, which is part of the book off family

[@cakeswithfaces]

All the "Offs" are the best!! :-)

[@driftertravels928]

Koenji is a really cool part of Tokyo, hip but understated..the equivalent of say, Dalston, whereas Shimokitazawa is more like Shoreditch or Camden. Very informative video, keep up the good work.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks - it's interesting to compare places in Tokyo to their London counterparts! I always thought of Harajuku as Camden but it's got a lot more commercial and touristy (I guess Camden has too..) :-)

[@driftertravels928]

@@cakeswithfaces.. Use to live and work in Camden, over 10 years ago, never thought of it as like Harajuku, but maybe the area had changed. Plus, Harajuku is quite unique I think :)

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@driftertravels928 Camden changed a lot when they rebuilt the markets (I used to go a lot when I lived near London years ago) - some of them are unrecognisable now! Yes Harajuku's a special place! :-)

[@hanayonayo1922]

6:12 if I'm not mistaken that character (kintaro) is from one of Japanese folklore and I hope to visit here if I'll be able to go to japan~

[@cakeswithfaces]

Just looked up Kintaro and the dolls look like the character on the sign! On Google Translate it says "Boardwalk" at the top then "Suginami ward office" - still don't understand unless he's their mascot! :-)

[@airzulu2733]

Lovely english lady , Have you been to Okinawa. If not it's a must , I fell in love with the place. Happy and safe travels.

[@cakeswithfaces]

No but I'd love to go one day! :-)

[@JohnMiller-zr8pl]

Nice place.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Lovely to stroll around! I'd like to go back in the evening, I'm sure it'd have a different atmosphere then when the bars are open.

[@OurGreenBranch]

There's so much cute in Japan! Convenience store snacks are the best!! I still dream about the fried chicken from 7/11.

[@cakeswithfaces]

So many good things! I discovered pizzaman steamed buns recently - so good!

[@hayleyt8018]

I stayed at an Airbnb in Koenji in 2016 and I actually do have a photo I took of someone's bike against a wall lmao

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, can't resist those bike-against-a-wall pics! Why are they so picturesque...?! :-)

[@satellite1882]

How many times have you been to Japan? I'm going for my second trip in May can't wait love your videos

[@cakeswithfaces]

I’ve been 6 times now since 2010 - I always want to go back! There’s always more to explore :-)

[@mealswithfoods6252]

I just stumbled around to you. It's a great channel!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the videos, there’s lots more I’ve got planned!

[@ZoeThomas]

I miss Koenji so much

[@cakeswithfaces]

Was it your fav place for shopping?

[@sci-buyllc323]

If you go back here at night, please film!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Certainly will! I'm sure it has a completely different atmosphere, and there are loads of gig venues too.

[@bingmalsi864]

Stayed in an AirBNB in Koenji but never got to explore the area. Is it much like Shimokitazawa?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Yes it's similar to Shimokitazawa, very indie - but smaller and more laidback, less of a city feel.

[@francescabrooker-rao9534]

It looks like a very cute area, we will be staying in Kichijoji next time which is not far from Koenji, lost of cute cafes and jazz places there too. You are right that if it's not your first time in Tokyo it's nice to explore these areas, and they are cheaper for accommodation too, we were able to book an airbnb for a whole month for the price of a hotel in central Tokyo for half of that time.

[@Mwoods2272]

Kichijoji is a very nice place. It has everything, vintage shopping, park, movie theatres, Yodobashi store, restaurants and a nice big mall with every store, you will need. It was voted one of the top five neighborhoods to live in for the last few years.

[@francescabrooker-rao9534]

@@Mwoods2272 I can't wait to go! We were there briefly last year as it's near the Ghibli museum and we really loved the area, my children loved the park especially, although I sadly won't manage any jazz clubs with the kids!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah I love that park too! I didn’t go in but did you know it has a guinea pig petting zoo? 💕 You’ll be able to explore loads if you have a whole month, and see a different side of Japan staying a bit like a local! Have an amazing time!

[@francescabrooker-rao9534]

Cakes with Faces oh that sounds lovely! I saw there was a small zoo. Thanks, we love Japan so much! Hope you enjoyed your latest trip there. Look forward to the videos xx

[@largesmallworld]

If you like the anime New Game that park was used aa the setting for season 2 episode 1.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Really? I had not idea! It's been on my watch list but not got around to it yet - gotta see it now!

[@towada1066]

ア！ ... you were somewhat close to Mitaka (hmmm, actually that's wrong, it's a number of stations away but it's on the same Chuo line). I think you'll like Mitaka,... the Ghibli Park is there and the walk along the canal is really pretty,... then too it's where Dasai Osamu committed suicide! ...

[@cakeswithfaces]

Yes, I did enjoy Mitaka! It was nice walking to the Ghibli Museum from the station - the Totoro signs along the way are so cute! Inokashira Park is nice too!

[@towada1066]

@@cakeswithfaces um, please excuse me, now I'm very curious,... what brings you to Japan? ... for myself, I have to go back every year to visit relatives and then (somewhat sadly) move to Tokyo permanently.

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@towada1066 I just enjoy visiting! I keep discovering more places I want to visit, and I always miss it.

[@theanimelord2877]

I wish I can go to Japan it's my dream to go someday

[@cakeswithfaces]

Hope you can make it one day!! :-)

[@theanimelord2877]

Me too

[@theanimelord2877]

I love your channel

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

6:11 He is: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintar%C5%8D

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you! :-) Why would he be on that sign?

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

@@cakeswithfaces 1) The green gates made from steel pipe are actually barricades against for bicycle riders where installed at the end of the pedestrian road. 2) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqCmf6N4dpuVqdE As sung by this children's song, Kintaro is famous that he practiced horse riding when he was a kid, through riding a bear instead. (Because he was a child, he did not have the physique to ride a horse, but had the courage to ride a bear.) So, the sign says that: "You can not ride bicycle ahead but able to ride a bear, like as Kintaro did." "You should change from a bicycle to a bear at here, like him."

[@Lonewolf3000X]

Next stop Coolsville, Tokyo, Japan.

[@cakeswithfaces]

All aboard the Yamanote Line!

[@ThatBrunetteYouTube]

Are all of the thrift stores clothing?

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'm thinking most of them are, yes. I'm sure there must be some record stores too, given the amount of gig venues in Koenji. Shimokitazawa's another place for all kinds of thrift stores (I found a secondhand glasses store there ie an opticians!).

[@ThatBrunetteYouTube]

@@cakeswithfaces thank you for responding so quickly! My son just discovered selling on eBay and wants to do a thrift shop (motani?) crawl. Normally, he just buys Godzillas. Unfortunately, he is now to old to escort you and your husband into Legoland.

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@ThatBrunetteKZbin I'll have to find some other way to sneak into Legoland then! He'll like Nakano Broadway - lots of Godzillas, models and secondhand collectibles - there really is all sorts!

[@winterkarasu7560]

..weird kabocha roll,making a squeaking sound haha..nice name for a shop Daddy's Socks... :-)

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really want to know the story behind it...!

[@winterkarasu7560]

@@cakeswithfaces ..gave me an idea for another band name - Daddy Sucks...that chocolate cake was really mouth watering,did Phil gave you some?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Nooo!!!! 😭 Chocolate is one thing Phil does not share!!

[@winterkarasu7560]

@@cakeswithfaces ..haha bad Phil, don't give him any cute Gachapons..😅

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@winterkarasu7560 The battle is on! :-)

[@joestrong]

Poor little kid falls over at 6:45

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ahhh nooo! It’s not in the video but someone had a kind of trolley that they were pushing several kids around in!

[@axis0879ify]

Hello. I am in japan I would like to meet you. Is it possible?

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'm back in the UK now! But if you ever see me walking around Japan (or the UK I guess!) always come say hi! :-)

[@axis0879ify]

@@cakeswithfaces 😢😢😢😢😢

[@FLC293]

Can we be friend ?????????