I’m visiting Tokyo at the end of July going into August and am looking for more underground/local and art-related things to do and places to go.
I want to go to clubs that play house/techno/dnb/disco/garage (lgbtq clubs too!!), independent designers’ stores, art museums, galleries, theaters (I love more experimental/contemporary types of art), book stores with independent publishers and zines, and vintage/thrift stores that are generally not overpriced.
Also any food recs would be greatly appreciated. I love everything but am especially looking forward to eating sushi, eel, yakiniku, and seafood in general.
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**General notes:**
* I have family in Japan and I’ve visited many times, though I have not gone back since I turned 16 so I have no idea about nightlife and more local/niche activities.
* My Japanese is conversational level, I can read hiragana and katakana but not much of kanji.
* I don’t like to plan out every day so my goal is to simply compile a list that I can refer to once I’m there.
* **More specific interests that I’d like to explore and indulge in while in Japan include**: Takeshi Kitano, hello kitty, any cute characters (sanrio, kewpie, doraemon, astro boy, wooper and other pokemon, literally every and all of them), experimental film, vintage clothing, uk garage, furniture design and architecture, 90s/2000s fashion and design magazines, home decor, tattoo shops/artists that specialize in more abstract shapes and characters, amusement parks/rollercoasters, rock climbing/bouldering, dancing, hiking and nature in general, concerts, and collaging and mixed media art.
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**My existing list of things do/places to visit:**
* Mori art museum
* Cup noodle museum
* Ghibli Museum
* Sanrio land
* Komiyama book store
* Vintage Jimbocho
* Pompom shop
* Pokemon center
* Womb
* Disney
* Tokyo dome
* Mount fuji
6 comments
If you go to Nakano Broadway, checkout indie bookshop TACO-ché located on the 3rd Floor.
>since I turned 16 so I have no idea about nightlife and more local/niche activities.
Quick question : are you 16, even now ? if that is so, you won’t be able to experience much of nightlife. Legally, clubs are forbidden to under 18, and clubs will probably won’t turn a blind eye as most put the bar at 20 (just to avoid any trouble with the drinking laws) *and* they ID.
You sometimes see very young people in bars, but they are accompanied by adults.
There’s Sanrio theme park called “Sanrio Puroland”
You should check out Sound Museum Vision in Shibuya. It’s actually closing in September so it’s a good chance to experience it before it’s gone forever!
Ghibli museum. It is a must!
TeamLab Planets or Borderless