🚶 Kanda Kagurazaka, Tokyo 🌆

As one of the 33 coolest streets in the world selected by Time Out, Tokyo's Kagurazaka is adjacent to Shinjuku and was a famous flower town in the Edo period. 🏮 Today, amidst modern architecture, it retains quiet stone steps, traditional Japanese residences, and ancient shrines and temples. This is the street of literature because it's not only close to the birthplace of the literary giant Natsume Soseki but also a hub for publishing houses and bookstores. 🏰 It's the street of design, the neighborhood where architect Kengo Kuma resides, with many well-executed renovations. This place is also favored by food enthusiasts, known as "Little Paris of Tokyo," with traditional tea rooms, Japanese confectionery shops, and French bakeries everywhere. 🍽 Next to a kaiseki restaurant, you might find a high-end Italian restaurant without any discord, and fragrant yakitori izakayas coexist with bars selling Western food. Apart from the main commercial streets, the greatest charm of Kagurazaka lies in the alleys between the stone steps. Walking into these alleys is as interesting as treasure hunting in a maze. Here are my recommendations ——— 🏯 01 Akagi Shrine | A shrine designed by the renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Some Japanese websites even call it the most fashionable shrine in Japan. Its stylish wooden structure and floor-to-ceiling glass give a refreshing impression. There's also a café "Akagi" on the first floor of the building next to the shrine for visitors to rest. 🛍️ 02 AKOMEYA TOKYO | A grocery warehouse with architecture also by Kengo Kuma. The first floor sells seasonal food, daily necessities, and designer souvenirs, while the second floor mainly features clothing and health and beauty products, making it a cluster to experience and purchase modern Japanese aesthetics. 📚 03 Kamome Books | Also known as Seagull Books. Operated by a company specializing in book proofreading, "Gull's Hall," it's characterized by not focusing on trends but creating a space that can "arouse emotion." The walls of the store also bear the signatures of many famous manga artists. 🏮 04 Hyogo Yokocho | Follow the narrow entrance that's just wide enough for one person, and along the stone paths, you'll find unique bars and historical Japanese houses, charmingly antique and fascinating. #Kagurazaka #TokyoCityWalk #TokyoOffTheBeatenPath