Shimokitazawa

From now on, our Sunday lessons are going to be a bit more laid-back.

I'm not even sure if "lesson" is the appropriate term for them.

Yeah, we'll still be sure to include at least a few Japanese phrases in these lessons, but for the most part we'll just be talking about cool places to visit and interesting things to do in Japan.

First up, we have:


下北沢しもきたざわ // Shimokitazawa
Location: Tokyo.
Good for: Clothes shopping, casual drinking.

Shimokitazawa is one of my favorite areas of Tokyo.

I lived there for most of 2014. It was awesome.

In fact, a lot of the pictures you see here were taken by me back when I lived there.

↑ That sign says 下北沢南口商店街 (しもきたざわ みなみぐち しょうてんがい // Shimokitazawa South Exit Shopping District).

The person taking the picture (me) is standing right in front of the ticket gates at the South Exit/Entrance of Shimokitazawa Station.

If you follow that path for about ten minutes, you'll end up at the apartment I used to live in.


下北 (しもきた // Shimokita

A lot of Tokyo locals will simply refer to this area as 下北 (しもきた // Shimokita).

Speaking of this place name, I think it's interesting that 下北沢 means "lower-north-swamp." It must have been a very different-looking place a few hundred years ago!

Shimokita is a great place to go if you want to buy some trendy clothing. They have tons of used clothing shops. If used clothes aren't your thing, they have shops with new clothes, too.

It has a bit of a grungy vibe for Tokyo. Accordingly, it is also a popular place for small live shows and concerts... none of which I ever went to. *_*

I went to a lot of cafes, restaurants, and izakaya, though!




A Convenient Area

One reason it was great living there was that I could go to both Shinjuku and Shibuya without ever changing trains:

I worked in Shinjuku four days a week, so this was a big plus.

I lived on the second floor of this old blue building:

Yeah, it was a bit shabby on the inside. But I loved it anyway.


Insider Tip: Shimokita for Cherry Blossoms?

I doubt you'll ever see a major travel book or website mentioning Shimokita when talking about cherry blossoms, as there are almost no cherry trees here!

And yet, Shimokita is one of my favorite starting points for a tour of cherry blossoms.

During cherry blossom season, take the south exit, then walk about ten minutes until you come to a small creek:

Well, you won't actually see the creek at first. Just turn left right after you pass the big elementary school:

Walk along the path for a few minutes, and you'll see the little creek―or canal, whatever you wanna call it.

If you go around early April, there's a good chance it'll be lined with cherry blossoms:

Wear comfortable shoes because this is going to be a long walk.

Luckily the scenery will be nice:

After 45 minutes or so, you'll arrive in Nakameguro:

Nakameguro's cherry blossoms will be even more impressive:

...but there's a good chance that it will be ridiculously crowded (unlike the creek-lined walk you just completed).

There you have it.

Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, yeah? I used to work in Nakameguro once a week, and I made this round trip on foot every time. Sometimes Rei would meet me outside my work in Nakameguro and we would walk home together. It's a peaceful walk at night, and it made for some good memories.


Talking About Shimokita in Japanese


土曜日友達と下北で遊ぶんだけど、来る?
どようび ともだち と しもきた で あそぶ んだ けど、 くる?
My friends and I are gonna hang out in Shimokita on Saturday. Wanna join us?
Literally: “Saturday + friends + と + Shimokita + で + play + んだ + けど (=but), + come?”


昔下北沢に住んでた。
むかし しもきたざわ に すんでた。
I used to live in Shimokitazawa (a long time ago).
Literally: “long ago + Shimokitazawa + に + was living.”


ファッションに興味あるなら原宿とか下北沢がおすすめ。
ファッション に きょうみ ある なら はらじゅく とか しもきたざわ が おすすめ。
If you’re into fashion, I recommend places like Harajuku and Shimokitazawa.
Literally: “fashion + に + if you’re interested (=interest + have + if it is the case) + Harjuku + とか + Shimokitazawa + が + recommendation.”

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