Is SHIMOKITAZAWA the new HARAJUKU? ✨ (Tokyo, Japan)

[@francescabrooker-rao9534]

These videos about alternative areas to visit in Tokyo are really useful, in our case mostly as it's not our fist time to go and if you stay out of the centre, accommodation is much cheaper.

[@haidokenshiro4312]

I love shimokitazawa. Whenever i want to just laidback n have coffee during my trip in tokyo, i just go bookends sit, relax read a good book.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Just looked up Bookends, it looks really cosy! It's nice to find little quirky places that are really individual!

[@whatshappening17]

I was lucky enough to go shimokitazawa and found almost all my souvenirs there! I loved the indie vibe and even got Totoro cream puffs 😊 thanks for the video, though it does just makes me want to go back!!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah that's one thing I missed, the Totoro cream puffs! Although I would have felt bad for eating them, they're too cute!! :-)

[@xiaorishu]

Hahah, them playing the midi version of "Let It Go" in the background actually helps youtubers avoid music copyright claims xD

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, good point, yes it does!! :-) Disney won't be coming after me :-)

[@yvettenino1780]

I love to discover new things in Tokyo. Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed it.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'm always on the look-out too! There are lots of videos about the popular places in Tokyo, so I like to share different things! :-)

[@Gazereths1234]

Shimokitazawa is awesome, along with the retro fashion and cafes there's a great flea market there some days. There's a great video games store there as well, I spent sooo much money when I was there, found some nice sealed MGS games for my collection.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Those retro games are always in such good condition as well aren't they! I could believe it.

[@winterkarasu7560]

..Nice to know Flamingo is still open..Shimokitazawa has a laid back vibe to it, looks nice to stroll 'round.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'd like to go back and go in some more cafes or bars - there are lots of gig venues there too.

[@winterkarasu7560]

@@cakeswithfaces ..I see, that's nice - watch some bands play..👍✌

nice video

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!! :-)

[@あいうえお-o6s1f]

Hallo. Shimokitazawa have unique culture. It's one of culture of Tokyo. It's mixed old and modern. Very interesting and impressive ! And, currently changing . Tokyo have many kind of faces . I'm looking forward your next video ! Please have fun !

[@cakeswithfaces]

You're right, Tokyo certainly does have many faces! It seems like a completely different place. Maybe that's what makes it such an interesting city!

[@あいうえお-o6s1f]

@@cakeswithfaces Thank you for comment back. Yes, I think so too. Changing city is also interesting. But, I hope to keep some old culture, things, places, etc. too ! Thanks a lot !

[@boyscodeveronicanoble1422]

THE GOOD OF TOKYO BAY BAY

[@194DAG]

I'm in Tokyo next month and if I get time Shimokitazawa is a place I would like to visit. Thanks for bringing to my attention. Great informative video as always.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! It's always good to explore new places (as well as your "best of" favs!) :-)

[@abumoto1]

Hi, Amy. Your talking is always friendly, cute, and is very easy to understand for me. Thank you for sharing.

[@Tweezy786]

Oh my I love this! This is so interesting! I just added this little city on my list for when I visit Japan! Also I'm diggin th B-Side label shop being there too! They have the best vinyl decal stickers! Thanks for posting & introducing me to a new place!

[@cakeswithfaces]

I could spend ages in B-Side label! I just love the designs :-) Always good to find new places to go (my list is never-ending!)

[@Tweezy786]

Cakes with Faces Oh I bet! I know I’m gonna go crazy over everything they have haha & lol yes I’m beginning to realize my list is never ending too!

[@willsonize2278]

Thanks for this video it looks like a good place to walk around to get away from the madness of Harajuku 👍😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧

[@cakeswithfaces]

Harajuku certainly is madness, exactly! :-) I love Tokyo for how crazy some areas are, but it's nice to go somewhere chilled sometimes too.

[@briandemodulated]

MIDI Let It Go made me laugh so hard I had to pause the video for a while :)

[@cakeswithfaces]

It was one of those surreal moments....! :-)

[@vhinsagcal207]

Wowwww what a nice place shimokitazawa Japan konnichiwa to you mam Cake and faces nice place for shopping galore nice foods and shopping items wish to go there and visit thanks for nice video tour godbless u mam Cake and faces arigato gozaimasu! I like color of your hair your so beautiful mam cake and faces solid fan viewer from the Philippines sir Vhin.😇😇😇☺☺☺😊👍👍👍👍💟💞💝💟💟💕💖💖💖👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you! Can't believe you're watching from so far away in the Philipines! :-) Shimokitazawa was such a fun place to stroll around and explore!

[@a0niy0shi]

In the vending machine, there are variety of Natto's, like Natto with Edamame, Natto with Umeboshi...etc, and the word "Sa - Bi Su " is "service" in English, they wanted to tell you they were on sale, and the discounted items are Natto's with grated Radish.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!!! I thought someone might be able to help me out in the comments! :-) Glad I didn't try them if they're all natto..! :-)

[@craigmaddison8254]

It's a great place, one of the first places I visited when I was in Tokyo in June, not really interested in shopping but the shops are a bit quirky and they're just great to look at.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Me too - the clothes in the shops weren't really my sort of thing but I enjoyed looking round anyway! I'd like to go back and go in some more cafes or bars.

[@darthbukowski6894]

Another quality video!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!! :-) I enjoy sharing new places with you guys!

[@kikimg1]

After watching your Osaka video in DenDen Town with the animé store playing ChittyChitty Bang Bang. I randomly came across it 🤣 and was like 😮 this is the shop! and I found a real cheap animé action figure compared to the other stores (because it had no box obviously lol) thank you for your videos 😁

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah you went there too! :-) There are some great bargains to be found from the secondhand figures - and they're mostly in such perfect condition, you'd never know they're not new apart from the missing box (and half the time I don't keep the boxes - you can fit more in your suitcase that way!)

[@rarefactioncurve]

Yes, Shimo kitazawa is one of my fave areas in Tokyo. A bit quirky yet laid back. I totally agree that Harajuku has become really touristy (last time I was there, I heard more Chinese and Slavic languages spoken than Japanese) and sadly observed groups of "not-so-well-behaved" foreign tourists, leaving trash on streets and talking so extra loud at cafes. By the way, I just love the color of your hair! Will there be more great vlogs from hidden gem places in Tokyo?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Glad you liked it too! I'm always on the look-out for new places apart from the main areas that you hear about all the time! :-) I'll be sure to share them with you guys!

[@rarefactioncurve]

@@cakeswithfacesHave you been to Nishi Ogikubo and Kichijoji? Nothing fancy but nice residential areas I just love to hang out!

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@rarefactioncurve Kichijoji yes (mainly to Inokashira Park), Nishi Ogikubo no (always get it mixed up with Shin-Okubo, Korea Town!). Thanks for the rec! I'd like to explore Harmonica Alley in Kichijoji after hearing Simon & Martina talk about it!

[@joits]

Definitely loved this neighborhood so much more than Harajuku, which almost felt like a tourist trap to me.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Harajuku's more my style but for the atmosphere I loved Shimokitazawa! More and more I see things in Harajuku just for tourists.

[@keishasicat7159]

Did u filmed this on a different month? Or is summer over in Japan now?

[@cakeswithfaces]

This was filmed back in February :-)

[@TheRealJapan]

Thanks for posting this Amy. I love this sort of video - one that focuses on less well known alternatives to all the tourist flooded places. I didn't know this area before watching your video - and looks right up my street (as it were!). Also, I COMPLETELY agree with your observations on the variety in architecture is what makes it so interesting. I published an article about that very thing on my blog a couple of years ago. You might want to take a look: www.therealjapan.com/the-unpredictability-of-japanese-architecture/

[@cakeswithfaces]

Wow, I'm impressed I managed to show you somewhere you didn't now! :-) Hope you can make it there sometime! Interesting article, thanks for sharing! I'd noticed that about shrines and historical buildings being rebuilt as well - they often look brand new - such a contrast to how it is in the UK and Europe.

[@ChuckieMcHaggis]

Ushitora's a good wee bar there. Also, you're well tough wearing a scarf in August...

[@cakeswithfaces]

Just looked it up, it looks cosy! Haha, this was filmed in February so it was much colder...! :-)

[@ForUploadin]

I didnt know that Shimokitazawa had BIG BEN. About 15 year ago, I used to go there to the live show of indie bands whose members were my friends and one of them became unexpectedly very big years later. The area is famous for indie’ theater companies and indie rock bands as well as used clothes and cafes although I did not like folks of Shimokitazawa. Two weeks ago, I walked through Shimokitazawa after going to Komaba for the famous hand craft house and found that tourists start appearing there as you say in the video that iit would next the next Harajuku Harajuku is just like Camden. When you come to Japan, please do videos on Futagotamagawa including seikado museum and Kagurazaka.

[@Indygt3]

that vending machine mainly sells "Natto", fermented soy beans & soy related items. the donuts are natto donuts. : )

[@cakeswithfaces]

Really? Natto doughnuts???! I'm glad I didn't try them - although that would be interesting...! :-)

[@inessilva7779]

Once again another amazing and very i formative video!! I would like to know how are the sizes in most vintage/second hand shops in japan? Thanks in advance 😉👍

[@cakeswithfaces]

Some of them specialise in US clothing, so you can find western sizes. Otherwise in general sizes are a little smaller - you might need to get the size up from what you usually wear. One size (they call it "free size") is also quite popular. Fitted clothes will be quite small, but other styles are quite loose and baggy, so fit larger sizes.

[@zJKOz]

Toyonchi no Tamago Pudding there is fantastic

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks for the recommendation! :-)

[@B.Mamentu]

Any shops sell used luggage or travel bags ?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Not something I've noticed, but then I haven't been looking for suitcases or bags in Japan. There are some recommendations here: www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?1+121371 Hope that helps!

[@B.Mamentu]

@@cakeswithfaces Thanks for the info and link. Keep posting !

[@Mrspiderwalk]

When I go to tokyo, I plan on getting rid of some of my clothes to make room in my luggage. Hope the shops there take it lol.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I've heard of people throwing their clothes away to make room for more stuff, so yes this would be a better option!! :-) PS Check if your airline allows 2 suitcases - I usually take a large suitcase, pack a medium suitcase inside it & then my clothes in that, for more room on the way back just in case (haven't actually needed it though..!).

[@jwrappuhn71]

Good vid Amy.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!! :-)

[@ThatBrunetteYouTube]

It is more hipster than Harajuku. My son and I did that section of town this summer. The Flamingo and Chicago resale stores are *everywhere*. I was hoping for more true thrift stores.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I agree! A different vibe. Did you go to Koenji? Lots of thrift stores there!

[@ThatBrunetteYouTube]

@@cakeswithfaces we did not get over there. It was rainy and miserably hot that day.

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@ThatBrunetteKZbin Maybe next time! :-)

[@driftertravels928]

Shimokitazawa is more “hipster” to me, so more vintage stores, craft beer pubs second hand bookshops and third wave cafes, which I like ;) But not really kawaii, lolita and so on like Harajuku. I can see it becoming a lot more touristy though, but maybe not as much as Harajuku because it is a little further from the “ downtown” area of Tokyo.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Absolutely agree! A different vibe from Harajuku, and interesting in its own way. Yes - I can see the perceived locations outside central Tokyo being a barrier (even though it takes hardly any time to get there!), and it's not usually listed in "Top 10 Things to do in Tokyo" like Harajuku.

[@oscarpaiz79]

Heeey! Nice video ...I'll be there and hope to find some cool stuff. Talking about somewhere else..did you guys already visit this ramen shop in Shibuya where ir serves a blue broth ramen? I know you like kawaii stuff so you can take a look at it...I know you are vegetarian but maybe your boyfriend/husband can try it and give you (and us) his impressions

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah I've heard of that blue ramen! Surely it's made for the colour and can't taste as good as authentic, natural-coloured ramen I'm guessing!!

[@oscarpaiz79]

@@cakeswithfaces actually John Doub from Only in Japan channel made a video of it and he said that it tastes like the regular ramen and the fact of getting this blue color doesn't change the chicken flavor...it only gives an ocean-blue like color but the flavor is the same...try it :)

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Hey amupy gruesomely what I’m getting Japanese birthday cake in two months.

[@terrapinalive8686]

What is a.midi version?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Midi is music made on a computer, without any real instruments. So it sounds really fake and computer-generated. (Maybe there's a proper name for that type of music, I don't know..!) :-)

[@dottieland7061]

I like this area, but it is starting to get a bit commercial as well. I still prefer the other side of Takeshita street.

[@kazuthesamurai7346]

Why do you guys pronounce saunas snonas ? That's fucking weird lol

[@ktao7624]

I could see soy stuffs , natto, and so on in some vending machine.

[@raphacbjbr6635]

so boring!