Top Things to Do in Daikanyama: A Local's Guide to the Neighborhood

Dubbed “the Brooklyn of Tokyo,” Daikanyama is a chic Japanese neighborhood located in Shibuya, Tokyo. This trendy district offers various stylish attractions for young and hip tourists looking to explore the latest in Japanese fashion and cuisine.

Our post offers a detailed insight into Daikanyama and its many exciting landmarks. We’ll make sure you never run out of places to visit during your stay in the area.

A Neighborhood Overview: What Makes Daikanyama Special

Walking into Daikanyama is like entering a world completely different from the rest of Tokyo. The neighborhood has a chic atmosphere and lacks the noisy shopping malls and obstructive high-rise buildings that plague nearby districts. Instead, Daikanyama is full of small, high-end boutique shops and open-air spaces. Many have compared its shops and low-rise buildings to those of Brooklyn, New York.

The area is extremely walkable due to its compact nature. To tourists, it always seems like the next attraction is only a few minutes' walk away from the last one. Another special trait of Daikanyama is how well it blends local flair with international vibes. You may find an izakaya on one side of the road and a stylish organic cafe right next to it. All of those unique traits and more have made Daikanyama stand out in Tokyo.

How to Get There: Navigating Daikanyama Station

The main access point for people arriving at the neighborhood via train is Daikan-yama Station, the only railway station in the vicinity. Owned and operated by the Tokyu Corporation, it serves as a major train stop on the Tokyu Toyoko Line.

You can take a 2-3 minute train ride to Daikan-yama Station from Naka-Meguro Station or Shibuya Station, as all three checkpoints are interconnected via the Tokyu Toyoko Line. However, some people prefer to walk the distance between them. On foot, it takes 8 to 10 minutes to get to Daikanyama from Naka-Meguro Station and about 15 minutes from Shibuya Station. Ebisu Station isn’t far off either, and you can walk from there to Daikanyama in under 10 minutes. There is no train ride from Ebisu. If you happen to be further away, let’s help make your visit smooth and stress-free. Here are a few tips on how to reach Daikanyama Station from different parts of Tokyo, Japan.

• Tokyo Station: Take a train on the JR Yamanote Line heading to Shibuya Station, and transfer to another train on the Tokyu-Toyoko Line heading to Daikan-yama Station. The journey takes 31-35 minutes.

• Shinjuku Station: Take a train on the JR Yamanote Line heading to Shibuya Station, and transfer to another train on the Tokyu-Toyoko Line heading to Daikan-yama Station. The journey takes 23-25 minutes.

The Charm of Log Road Daikanyama

Log Road Daikanyama is an open-air complex lined with cafés, shops, fashion boutiques, and greenery. Only a few minutes' walk from Daikan-yama Station, the area is often the first stop for tourists. Log Road sits on a pathway that served as a train track for the Tokyu line before it was moved underground. That land has now been transformed into an eco-friendly escape filled with green spaces, clean terraces, and wooden benches.

There are several interesting buildings in the vicinity, including the Kirin brewery, a sneaker shop with three buildings, and a bakery. You can grab lunch at a few cafes in the area that offer takeout beverages and snacks.

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T-Site Daikanyama: A Bookstore Meets Lifestyle Hub

In a world where traditional bookstores are going out of fashion, Daikanyama T-Site continues to thrive. This mega bookstore complex is one of the most brilliant places in the world to read and buy books. It’s a major branch of the iconic Tsutaya Books chain, which is owned by Culture Convenience Club.

Opened in 2011, it consists of three 2-story buildings in the same complex. Japanese firm Klein Dytham Architecture created the complex’s award-winning design, which features white lattice-work as well as enclosed walkways linking all three buildings. On the first floor of each structure, you’ll find all manner of prints, including magazines, literature, travel guides, and foreign publications.

The huge complex does not completely abandon the character of its neighborhood. On its second floor, you’ll find a music store, movie shop, convenience store, reading area, restaurant, and shared lounge. This lounge is called Anjin, and people go there to relax on the leather seats and listen to live music. There is a cafe space in the complex where coffee lovers can enjoy their favorite beverages while reading.

Best Things to Do in Daikanyama

Don’t let Daikanyama’s quiet atmosphere fool you. The district is full of exciting activities and fascinating attractions. We curated a list of the best things to do in the area.

• Browse concept fashion stores: Fashionistas will love the high-end fashion houses. We recommend a visit to the Muji Labo store for exciting concept fashion items and Carboots for second-hand designer goods.

• Explore art spaces: There are a few galleries showcasing contemporary art and historic pieces. Art Front Gallery and Hillside Forum are probably the most well-known galleries in the area. Enroll in a painting class at Artbar Tokyo, or stop by Débris, which hosts the occasional art exhibition.

• Listen to music in record shops: T-Site Daikanyama’s music store offers small cubicles where you can get a desk and listen to sample records from its 120,000 CD collection. You can also dine at Tableaux, which offers live music every night.

• Stroll down the streets: Take a stroll along the mellow and walkable streets, including Log Road. There are sidewalk cafes and brunch spots offering refreshing beverages to slow travelers. Feel free to stop by Hillside Terrace and Kyu Asakura House, home to the former chairman of Tokyo’s Metropolitan Assembly.

• Shop for souvenirs: Spend on mementos and gifts from the small boutique shops, stationery stores, and candy stores of Daikanyama.

• Eat and drink: Diners, cafes, and bars dominate the local culinary scene. Besides the cafes at Daikanyama T-Site and Log Road, you should check out Garden House Crafts, Café Façon Roaster Atelier, and Urth Caffe. For restaurants, we recommend P.B. Restaurant in Débris, Spring Valley Brewery Tokyo, Dolce Tacubo, and Hacienda del Cielo.

Where to Stay: Top Hotels in Daikanyama, Tokyo

Local boutique hotels and peaceful accommodations reflect the area’s elegant charm and ideal location. However, you’ll find luxury options offering more spacious rooms, premium room service, better air conditioning, stunning city views, and free wifi just outside the district’s center. Hotel Graphy Shibuya and Tokyu Stay Shibuya Shin-minamiguchi are fantastic choices. However, Do-c Ebisu, which is a little further away, costs a lot less than those options.

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Forest Daikanyama: Urban Greenery and Community

Forestgate Daikanyama is a serene residential and retail complex that blends architecture with nature in true Tokyo fashion. Located near the exit to Daikanyama Station, this landmark serves as a gate, ushering visitors into the neighborhood. It consists of two buildings surrounded by green trees and grasses. One of the structures is the main building, and the other is called TENOHA Building.

The main building consists of ten floors and a basement reserved for private parking. The ground floor and 2nd floor feature a coffee shop, retail store, and restaurant, while the 3rd floor is used as a shared office space. Residential apartments with air-conditioned rooms occupy the space from the 4th floor to the 10th floor. As for the TENOHA Building, it only has two floors. They contain a cafe, retail shop, and event space.

Dining in Style: Daikanyama Tokyo Restaurants Worth a Visit

In Daikanyama, there’s something delicious for everyone thanks to its array of dining options, including restaurants, bars, and cafes. Health- and environmentally conscious people will love the organic cafes in the area, which sell products made from pesticide-free and fertilizer-free ingredients. Check out Bombay Bazar, one of the best organic cafes in Shibuya.

International cuisine is a big deal in the local dining scene. For French-Japanese fusion dishes, we recommend Les Enfants Gates and Maison Paul Bocuse. Visit Hacienda del Cielo for Mexican food and Tacubo (Michelin-starred) for Italian cuisine. Don’t forget to enjoy craft beers at Spring Valley Brewery Tokyo.

Daikanyama Tokyo Shopping Guide

Get the latest cool and trendy items from Daikanyama’s unique boutiques, high-end fashion, and design stores. You’ll find a wide range of fashion items in the boutiques on Log Road. There is a Vermicular flagship store in the neighborhood where you will find high-quality cookware and other kitchen utensils.

Head over to T-Site Daikanyama, where you can buy books, movies, music records, and other lifestyle goods. The 17 Dixsept shopping mall is a hidden gem that’s much smaller than you might be used to but offers a familiar experience.

When to Visit and What to Know Before You Go

The best times to visit Daikanyama and other parts of Tokyo are from March to May and from October to November. Sundays are ideal days to tour the district because of the crowd levels. It helps to see how locals interact with the various attractions. Many of them will be out enjoying the neighborhood with family, friends, and loved ones, especially in spring, when cherry blossoms are out. Feel free to strike up conversations with other tourists or hotel guests, but avoid being intrusive in your approach. Also, do not make loud noises, as they disrupt the calm atmosphere. Stick with all of the local etiquette to enjoy Daikanyama like a seasoned Tokyo explorer!

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