The is a quirky, colourful manual to navigating Japan's capital city like a local in the know. Profiling cute craft stores and galleries, top-notch coffee spots, unbeatable izakayas and the four-seater bars with sashimi for the brave-hearted, the handy tome is filled with travel tips along with language essentials.
Here, Sydney-born, Tokyo-based author Ebony Bizys (, herself) shares an edited extract from the book. So get your passports ready, it's time to put the Boo-Yah into Shibuya!
Source: Ebony Bizys
HIKARIE
When you first arrive in Shibuya, head on over to the new Hikarie building and up to its 11th floor sky lobby. From here, you can see the most incredible view – it gives you an amazing perspective of the sheer size of Tokyo. Make sure your camera is charged up!
Address: 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Open: 10:00-21:00
View from Hikarie Source: Ebony Bizys
While in the Hikarie building, pop on down to d47 Shokudo on the 8th floor for a regional Japanese lunch set with the same excellent view. Here, you will also find a branch of my favourite art gallery Tomio Koyama Gallery, plus plenty of other shops.
Address: 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Open: 11:00-23:00
HOTEL EMANON
Despite its name, new kid on the block Hotel Emanon is not a hotel, but rather a gorgeous restaurant with a bonus popular event space. Pop in for a coffee, drink, lunch, cakes or dinner. It features an English menu and has divine staff! This place is a little off the beaten path, but worth the trek. In pleasant weather you might like to enjoy the outdoor seating area.
Address: 7-1 Nanpeidai-cho, Shibuya
Open: 11:30-23:00 (Monday-Saturday); 11:30-22:00 (Sunday)
Hotel Emanon, Shibuya Source: Ebony Bizys
This is one Tokyo experience not to miss! Drink Alley is a little lane way located super close to Shibuya station and is jam packed with tiny six (or four) seater bars that come alive when the sun goes down. Head on over for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s plenty for brave at heart – I once ate horse sashimi here! Once, and once only.
Address: 1-25-10 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Open: 18:00-24:00
OMOTESANDO KOFFEE
This is one of Tokyo’s most incredible coffee shops and it’s very conveniently located, too. Please don’t miss this! Set inside a beautiful traditional Japanese home with limited seating, it’s more of a take-away coffee shop. However, you can enjoy your coffee on one of the limited bench seats set in The Picturesque Entrance Garden. The coffee here is, in my ppinion, Tokyo’s best coffee!
Address: 4-15-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku
Open: 10:00-19:00
GOOD MEALS SHOP
Okay, now this is a hidden gem that is definitely worth the walk from Shibuya station. Not only do they serve delicious lunch plates, ice-cream and coffee, but they have over 50 types of gin on offer. What are you waiting for? Enjoy!
Address: 1-25-5 Higashi, Shibuya-Ku
Open: 12:00-24:00 (Monday-Saturday); Closed Sunday
Created by art director Yasushi Fujimoto, this art space is a fantastic place to discover new and upcoming artists. Initially created to be a platform to show what’s new in the Tokyo art scene, you can now enjoy coffee and food from the recently opened cafe.
THE DECK COFFEE AND PIE
Situated on a plant-covered deck, this café serves meat pies and coffee. Brilliant, no? This reasonably new kid on the block also has a shop component selling home wares and accessories. Beer is also available for relaxing after long day of exploring in Harajuku. Gold star to this one!
Address: 3-53-17 Sendagaya, Shibuya-Ku
Open: 10:00-22:00 (Monday-Friday); 10:00-19:00 (Saturday-Sunday)
The Deck Coffee and Pie, Harajuku Source: Ebony Bizys
One of my favourite cafes in Tokyo, this café was a collaboration beteween design firm Graf and famous Japanese micro-pop artist Yoshitomo Nara. Inside you will find many of Nara-san’s works. Sit by the window to enjoy an amazing Tokyo view or sneak up to the rooftop for one of the city’s rare and amazing rooftop experiences.
Address: 5f Equbo Building, 5-8-3 Minami-Aoyama Minato-Ku
Open: 11:30-23:30
This is an edited extract from Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide by Ebony Bizys ($27, saddle stitch bound). Head on over to the for more.
