Tokyo has a large number of hipsters. They represent one of the cities biggest youth subcultures. A good fraction of Tokyo hipsters are foreign residents of Japan. Hipsters from around the globe are attracted to Tokyo — all because of neighborhoods such as these.
1. Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa (Shimokita) is what Japan would be like if it was run by hipsters. It's filled with old buildings that have reasonably rent — most of the shops in the area are owned and run by people under 30 (or people over 80). The area is packed with cafes, restaurants, bars, rental recording studios and small concert halls. It seems as if there are musicians rushing about everywhere in Shimokita.
2. Koenji
Like Shimokitazawa, Koenji is filled with older buildings and youth businesses. Tokyo's 50 year building boom has somehow skipped Koenji. The area is known for its political activism and quirky shops, restaurants and cafes.
3. Nakameguro
Nakameguro is best known for its beautiful tree-lined river that resembles an urban canal. It's one of Tokyo's top residential areas and a great place for hanami.
The river wasn't always so pleasant here. In the 1980s it was polluted with industrial waste. The area was a dive. In the 1990s, Tokyo's government cleaned up the river. The first businesses to take a chance on the neighborhood were run by young hipsters. The area quickly became known for its charming cafes, restaurants, shops and bars.
4. Harajuku
Harajuku is a youth-oriented shopping area. It's popular with a wide array of Tokyo youth subcultures including hipsters. It's the best place in the city to spot interesting street fashions.
5. Shinjuku
Shinjuku's Kabukicho is best known as Asia's largest red light district. It's also home to a large number of concert halls, rental recording studios and bars that attract Tokyo's hipsters.
Local hipsters also frequent Golden Gai — a Shinjuku area known for it's tiny bars with offbeat themes.
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