Tokyo is one of the largest, most highly dense cities on the planet. Michelin star restaurants, five-star hotels, international shopping boutiques – the sky’s the limit to what you can experience. Just remember to come hungry and with an empty suitcase – you’ll need the space.
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For the lucky ones who are able to enjoy driving in Tokyo, there's a wide variety of places to enjoy Japan's expansive car culture. Satoshi Suzuki – founder of sweatshirt cult favorite clothier LOOPWHEELER – practices what he preaches when it comes to automotive lifestyle. Having just completed a wildly popular collaboration with Type 7 and House Industries on a Porsche-centric capsule, the Tokyo native took us for a "loop" around the city and highlighted a few of his favorite places to take in all things auto. Some are popular pull-offs to hang out, others are merely great places to park and enjoy a break. There's even a few of his favorite restaurants owned by fellow petrolheads and even a "hidden" hangout for picture taking.
Curated by Satoshi Suzuki
While coffee and cafe culture has become widespread across Japan, matcha has seen a "Third Wave" resurgence in the recent decade, thanks to importers, travelers and a general understanding of the health benefits of the traditional brew. Nevertheless, the matcha scene in Tokyo is bigger than ever.
While matcha can be quite intimidating for newcomers to Tokyo, we visited a selection of locations recommended by our local and native friends around the city and picked our favorites. Some are more approachable and casual, while others are elegant, refined and premier in feeling. The spots include a wide variety of tea drinks and lattes, as well as a large offering of desserts and sweets that are regarded as a more modern take on traditional green tea offerings.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Takashi Kumagai shares his guide by taking us on a virtual food tour to some of the best B-class gourmet restaurants in Tokyo. The term is often used to describe fusion cuisine that has been classified as comfort, every day eats in Japanese cuisine. The dishes may invoke a "cheap and simple" feeling however, according to Kumagai, there is no compromise on quality and flavor.
Curated by Takashi Kumagai
For N.HOOLYWOOD's lead designer and founder Daisuke Obana, digging through the treasure trove for rare, vintage pieces has been second nature. As such, the designer is letting us in on some of his best spots to shop Tokyo vintage. From incomparable masterpieces that determine different eras of fashion to utilitarian classics, Daisuke Obana has a recommendation for the casual shopper as well as the seasoned recycling enthusiast.
Curated by Daisuke Obana
Whether it be the original Matsuhisa restaurant in Los Angeles, the range of 50+ Nobu restaurants around the globe or even the growing portfolio of Nobu hotels/resorts, you’ve probably heard of famed Japanese chef, Nobu Matsuhisa.
Chef Nobu’s brand has grown tremendously since the opening of his first restaurant in 1987 – attracting celebrities and food fanatics alike, some of which have been recurring customers for decades. Chef Nobu has become an undeniable sushi and hospitality master, ultimately crafting a well-trusted brand due to its signature food and uncompromising service. Because of this, it can be said that many would trust Chef Nobu with culinary recommendations across the world. But given his split time between Tokyo and Los Angeles, these are special places he knows like the back of his hand.
So to offer a closer glimpse into some of his favorite eats, Chef Nobu has shared where to stop for excellent food when in Tokyo, Japan.
Curated by Nobu Matsuhisa
For travelers and locals alike, sometimes there's no better comfort than a quiet afternoon, a strong coffee and a good book. Tokyo thankfully understands this vibe completely and has an excellent crop of bookstores, some more traditional than others. If you're looking for a great Japanese novel, biographies, English/foreign language books and, of course, manga and comics, look no further than Tokyo and its outlying districts.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Ok so you've been up and down Cat Street, Harajuku, Aoyama and more and bought all the new collections. Done? Not even close – there's vintage and archive pieces you haven't even explored yet.
Naturally, Japan – as the fashion capital of the Eastern hemisphere – vintage and archival collecting is an entirely separate world of style and couture. The stores listed here specialize in vintage and have a real passion for curation, so expect some true gems ranging from classic graphic and band tees, memorabilia, jeans, accessories and much more. Be warned however – just because they're decades old, doesn't mean they're cheap, so try not to be shocked by the price tags.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
For our continued coffee series, we explore one of the most coffee-centric areas of Tokyo you may not have heard of: Kiyosumi Shirakawa.
Outside of central Tokyo is Kiyosumi Shirakawa, in the outlying city of Koto. While Kiyosumi is largely residential and industrial in atmosphere, a large group of coffee brands, shops and distilleries have made their homes in the more-traditional city outside of the touristy areas. The historical region consistently provides high-quality cafe offerings and is growing more and more each day with new additions, bestowing upon Kiyosumi Shirakawa the fitting nickname the unofficial "coffee town" of Tokyo.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
When time is of the essence, quality and service becomes everything.
For our next guide on our Tokyo Coffee Tour, we decided to highlight some of the local coffee stands and quick stop locations. Since our team is constantly on the go, we rated them more so for their convenience, their quality, and their customer service above all else. Some have decor and vibe as well, while others are your literal hole-in-the-wall joints with outstanding coffee.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
When it comes to cultural staples, we feel coffee is a bit of a conundrum. While the recipe is fairly simple, coffee lovers will attest that the culture around timeless drink is as rich as the beans to which it's brewed from.
For our first Hypemaps tour, we explore the vast industry of coffee in the city of Tokyo, Japan. Our local editorial team curated this highly selective list based on multiple factors – attention to detail, atmosphere of cafe, accessibility, chill factor and, naturally, the quality of the coffee. Out of all the locations we visited, these were the ones we'd return to and not hesitate recommending to both casual coffee drinkers and true snobs.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Hypemaps recently caught up with Albino & Preto director Arvie Gimeno. In recent years, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has pushed Albino & Preto to new heights with its highly sought-after mat offerings and collaborations that have broken into streetwear. Arvie Gimeno's repositioning of the leading jiu-jitsu lifestyle label is based on his interests and experience with street culture.
Even though he resides on the sunny side of Southern California in Long Beach, Tokyo holds a special place in Arvie Gimeno's hearts. A place intrinsically tied to the continuation of Albino & Preto’s ambition to craft, the city in Japan serves as a place of inspiration for Gimeno. In his guide, the director highlights his Tokyo food tour showing his favorite spots to take in the city's culinary offerings.
Curated by Arvie Gimeno
Hypemaps recently caught up with Japanese local rap star Awich to find out where she likes to spend her time on the weekend in Tokyo. Despite her busy schedule split between events, performing, and recording in the studio, Awich enjoys unwinding by visiting a few of her favorite spots.
Awich highlighted businesses owned by her fellow Okinawans, places where she enjoys music, gets inspired, and even takes part in some retail therapy. The artist notes that the locations featured are particularly nice for an exciting but can also be visited during weekdays for a calmer atmosphere.
Curated by Awich
Cat's out of the bag – our favorite neighborhood in all of Tokyo is, hands down, Nakameguro.
From the beautiful river setting to its wide selection of shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, Nakameguro is how we envision the perfectly balanced Tokyo neighborhood to be. It caters to so many people, while also holding a special place for locals and being approachable to tourists and visitors alike.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
For those looking for a good drink in Tokyo, the city offers a diverse nightlife scene. For every mood and occasion, Tokyo has a bar that will satisfy with classic and contemporary drinks. Take a look at this list of the top bars in Tokyo.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Considered a comfort food for Japanese people despite its origins being in South Asia, many people find themselves craving a bowl of curry when in Tokyo. The endless varieties offered in the city open up a world of spices, textures, and viscosity tied to the rich and flavorful dish. This list will tackle the place to visit for curry lovers in Tokyo.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Any streetwear/Hypebeast fanatic will know that Tokyo is one of the best places for used fashion, sneakers, accessories and so much more. It's a veritable Disneyland of sorts for anyone looking, which is why it can definitely be overwhelming to say the least. Here are our pick of the best locations of the best used shops – some are the same company, but we've sifted through the largest and most varied locations out there.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Tokyo is known for its vibrant arcade scene, where gamers of all ages and skill levels can come together for both casual and competitive fun. Tokyo has something to offer every type of gamer and for those looking to score prizes from the extensive selection that is always changing. In this list, we'll be taking a look at some of the best arcades in Tokyo, each with its own unique atmosphere, games, and attractions.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
As a dizzying shopper's paradise, Tokyo is filled with high-end luxury boutiques to quirky independent shops. Select shops, offbeat vintage retailers, and department stores planning your shopping path is extremely important when traversing Tokyo. Take a look at this list of must-visit shops in Tokyo for a shopping experience like no other.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Despite being renowned for its vibrant food scene, one dish in Tokyo stands out among the rest: ramen. The iconic Japanese noodle soup has captured the hearts and taste buds of people all over the world, with Tokyo being the destination for some of the best ramen shops in the country. Ranging from rich and hearty tonkotsu broth to depth-driven shoyu and light and refreshing shio broth, Tokyo's ramen scene offers a diverse range of flavors and styles that are sure to satisfy any craving. In this list, we'll explore some of the best ramen shops in Tokyo that are a must-visit for any ramen lover.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
Although Tokyo might not be the city you think of for pizza, it is actually home to an interestingly thriving pizza scene. Heavily leaning on the Neapolitan pizza style, here is a list of places to enjoy Japan's take on the iconic Italian delicacy.
Curated by Hypemaps Team
As a vibrant and bustling city, Tokyo attracts millions of visitors each year. For those visiting for business or pleasure, the right hotel is essential to having a great trip. From luxurious high-end hotels to budget-friendly options, here is a list of the best hotels to stay at in Tokyo.
Curated by Hypemaps Team