Off the Beaten Path Tokyo - Alternative Areas Abound

Description:

Gothic lolitas and cosplay kids come out to strut their stuff every weekend on Harajuku's Cosplay Bridge, right between Harajuku and Yoyogi Park. Harajuku is the epicenter of Tokyo's vibrant youth culture, and plenty of fashion houses and entertainment venues tickle the fancy of trend-hungry hipsters. Nekko Dori (Cat Street) is filled with high fashion boutiques and vintage stores, with prices to match. Or, head down Omotesando Dori for some more grown up shopping. Pictures with your favorite kids in costume are generally graciously accepted, but do be sure to ask first.

Description:

Jingu Bashi is the best place to go in Tokyo for adolescent cosplay action on a regular basis. Finding the spectacle is simple—it's just outside the familiar Harajuku Station and easy to spot due to the masses of camera-toting tourists. Saturdays and Sundays in the early afternoon are the ideal time to go for large gatherings of these non-conformist primadonna youth. However, since they sometimes object to the extra public exposure, be sure to ask them before you take their picture. Fun for the entire family, and feel free to join in with your own cosplay theme and be the center of attention! - Erin Sanchez

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Any traveler's image of Tokyo must include the jumbo-trons and neon signs illuminating the thick crowd flooding Hachiko crossing in Shibuya. But there's more to Shibuya than just crowds; it's full of funky shops, off-beat restaurants, and cozy bars that highlight the neighborhood's slightly alternative feel. Don't forget to snap your requisite photo with Hachiko, the statue of the dog in front of Shibuya station; it's Tokyo's number one meeting spot.

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This cafe has already gained quite a following since it opened its doors. If you are looking for a place for brunch but would like to avoid the JPY5,000 price tag of Roy's, this is the spot for you. Sit outside and enjoy heavenly eggs benedict while reading an English magazine placed on the rack for your enjoyment. It offers teatime treats during the afternoon hours and California-style dishes at night. Come with friends or alone, it is a great place to relax.

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If you are not in line super early at this popular Japanese sweet shop, you may as well book a hotel. People arrive as early as 4a to purchase traditional Japanese sweets from this "blink and you will miss it" shop. Kozasa limits its daily trade in sweets to 150 and there is a five sweet limit per customer. These Japanese pastries are filled with azuki, a sweet paste made from red beans. It is a nice change of pace for those who are used to more sugar-coated vices, just be sure to set your alarm clock.

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Just a 15-minute walk from the trendy and youthful town of Kichijoji, this park has enough to keep you interested for a full day. There is a large pond where you can paddle rental boats, a zoo where you can pet some of the caged animals, playground facilities for baseball or Frisbee games with family and friends, and enough space and greenery for an ideal picnic.On weekends the place even comes alive with street musicians and artists. Inokashira Park is also one of the prime locations for viewing the cherry blossoms in late March/early April.

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It's only appropriate that a trip to a museum dedicated to the works of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki (think Spirited Away) feels like a romp through a funky forest. Nestled in the backwoods of Kichijoji's hip Inokashira Park, the Ghibli Museum packs more than the requisite amount of enchantment into a cozy, colorful space that feels less like a museum and more like a playground. Wacky artwork, Rube Goldberg machines, and a playroom make this a must-visit for travelers who have kids, or who never forgot how to be one. As with many popular attractions in Tokyo, the Ghibli Museum fills up quickly; booking reservations a few months in advance wouldn't be a bad idea.

You can only buy your ticket at the ticket vending machines at any Lawson convenience store. Prices range from 100 yen for children between 4-6 years old, 400 yen for 7-12 year-olds, 700 yen for 13-18 year-olds and 1000 yen for adults.

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You will feel like you are in Mom's kitchen in this casual Shimokitazawa haunt. A hippie Mom, that is. Music from the 70's plays in the background and the menu is pretty funky as well. Crispy spring rolls served with cucumber slices and dry curry pilaf are some of the favorites at this place. All of the food is made with organic ingredients, including the rice. The restaurant is not only a blast from the past, it has got ethics too! Even the sake is made from organically grown rice.

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Though Tokyo is filled with interesting locations with intriguing themes, this place is an original. The food here is good but almost everything is combined with hemp seeds. Twisted hemp rope-shaped chips with hemp seed salsa, pasta with hemp seed oil, hemp seed tofu and whole baked fish served with a hemp seed sauce are popular fare. The Hemp theme and concept attracts all kinds of interested souls but everything here is totally legitimate. Some would even consider it as healthy fare. Expect to pay about JPY2,000 for a very enjoyable meal.

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Nestled in the heart of Shimokitazawa, one of Tokyo's plushest districts, Era is the place to be! It is one of the most rocking places in the city with live wire performances, music and drinks galore. The ultimate party hub for the who's who of the city, it is a great platform for upcoming youth bands to showcase their talents on a wider platform. With so much happening every night, Era is sure to please.

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With its narrow counter, this small restaurant is probably not the place where one can bring large groups of people. It is, however, ideal for taking a friend or two and cracking open a bottle of great sake. The food is Japanese in flavor, but casual in arrangement. Try some of the wonderful otsumami (food to have with your drinks) such as eel, asparagus, and cheese tempura. Top this with a list of over 20 types of sake, and you have a great place for a stimulating yet laid-back Saturday night.

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Crowded, flashy, sometimes trashy Shinjuku offers a little bit of everything. It feels like an entire self-contained city and, indeed, a trip to Tokyo could be spent exploring Shinjuku alone. From the world's busiest train station to Asia's liveliest gay district, Shinjuku is like Texas: everything is just a little bigger. Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku Garden), perhaps Tokyo's most beautiful, is also here in case you've seen enough plastic, neon, and portable gadgets for one day.

Our Local Expert Says:

The closest you can come to the old-school heart of Tokyo's drinking culture

Description:

Just a few blocks from the center of Shinjuku, the Golden Gai feels like a well-preserved red light district from 50 years ago. The Japanese-style bars are cramped and can only sit up to four customers at a time. Most clientele are regulars; first-time visitors, if served, may receive not just frosty stares but exorbitant bills. Situated in prime lots and preyed upon by real-estate developers, rumors of its demise have spread for the past 20 years. In 1998 a fire destroyed 16 bars. Walk through the streets while it is still here.

Description:

The best-known gay club in the area, this very cruisy club has been around for some ten years. It is usually very packed at weekends from midnight on, but rather empty during the week. Most of the customers are youngish (25-35) and looking to meet someone. The dance-floor doubles as a backroom for those (much) more intimately inclined. The music is extremely high energy and a pleasant mix of techno, Europop, house and J-pop. With the admission price you get one free drink.

Description:

This casual, tiny, but welcoming women-only bar attracts a regular clientele of mainly Japanese but also foreign lesbians. Weekends can get quite crowded, especially when some of the younger patrons start dancing, making weekdays preferable for those seeking a more relaxed, quiet setting. Hours are Wednesday to Monday 8pm to 4am.