Friday, January 20, 2012

Let's Go To Daikanyama! Part 1

 My boys wanted to go to a model train shop out in the suburbs, so my daughter and I went to Daikanyama for the first time. To get there, take the Tōkyū Tōyoko Line from Shibuya - it's only one stop away. Daikanyama is known for its zakka and cake shops, so of course we were going to love it. Japanese seem to have a knack for cute illustrations, as seen on the above menu board.
 As soon as we stepped out of the station, we were met with a gorgeous organic cosmetic store and cafe. I highly recommend taking a map along with you, as the streets are little and windy; not in a grid pattern at all, so it's very easy to become lost.
 You could define a Daikanyama-ite as, "a cute Japanese person who wears funky and offbeat clothes, pushes a stroller with an equally cute baby wearing an adorable outfit, walks a toy poodle on a leash and who enjoys sipping cafe lattes at a French style cafe" There was a distinct similarity amongst the inhabitants. I would like to live here for a while.....

 There are multitudes of lovely clothing stores, which all seem to be unique indie shops. I didn't notice any chain stores. All of them were extremely enticing.


Our first stop was the Aranzi Aronzo store. I have wanted to visit here for years! It just smacks of cuteness.


Japanese stores always display their goods so stylishly I think.

 Zakka stores feature heavily in this town, so I was very happy.
 This was a really sweet zakka store.
 Cocca sells unique hand made fabric and goods.

 Outlet is good for cheap nick naks.
 We had lunch here at the "Le Cordon Bleu" which is a French cafe run by a real Frenchman! They had some cute tote bags for sale here - I now wish I had bought one.

Cabbages and Roses is an English soft goods store. I purchased a piece of linen floral fabric here.



 What I like about these little suburbs is nothing is uniform; each shop and house is so unique. This town is perfect for walking, as there are so many interesting things that catch your attention. I really love the use of dark wood in Japanese architecture.

Look how adorable everything is. You never have to look far to find the next cafe.
More Daikanyama next post.

5 comments:

  1. Hello
    What a beautiful photography!!! You definitely have an eye!!!
    I live in Korea, I love Asia and I dream to visit Japan!!!
    Thank you VERY much for following my blog!!!
    Of course I follow you back!
    Hope we'll keep in touch!!!
    Have a wonderful funny weekend!!!
    Hello from Charlotte's House!!!

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  2. I've a burning desire to visit Japan one day. Your photos have made me want to go even more now!
    Daikanyama looks awfully cute, especially all the little stores and cafés <3

    Looking forward to more, hope you have a lovely day.

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  3. you are making me jealous! Isn't that aranzi aronzo shop just the coolest :) I love that little shop :)

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  4. I love the illustrated menu board, it is the cutest!

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  5. In four years living in Tokyo I only made it there once. Next time I'm back, I should make a stop next time I'm back.

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