One of the unexpected things about Tokyo is that some of it is surprisingly bucolic. A short distance from the neon-lit madness and packed train stations of Shinjuku and central Shibuya are neighborhoods with a more laid-back vibe. Even the teen futureworld of Harajuku is bordered by shrines and parks and there are loads of trees and some pedestrian-only streets. Daikanyama – Tokyo’s home of low-key chic – has been one of my favorite neighborhoods so far this week. Often given minimal coverage (if not left out entirely) in Tokyo guide books, I consider this area a must if you’re planning a fashion-focused trip to the city. The standard line on Daikanyama is that it has a European feel with sidewalk cafes and the occasional patisserie or Italian restaurant. In actuality though it feels more like a woodsy and slightly hilly ski town. Take the very chic yet very low-key atmosphere of neighborhoods like Nolita in New York or London’s Westbourne Grove and move them to the foot of a mountain somewhere and they would probably feel a lot like Daikanyama. It’s hard to believe that you are only one short metro stop from center town Shibuya’s Blade Runner-esque insanity. The mountain village vibe is carried through in both the architecture (lots of unfinished wood planks and rocks and moss) and the style of dress of the people who frequent the area. Even though it wasn’t very cold everyone was rocking lots of chunky knitwear, ski jackets and vests, shearling-lined boots, and bits of fur were everywhere. They were checking out shh-chic shops like A.P.C. Homme, United Bamboo, Sonia Rykiel, and La Labo. Speaking of cool shops in the area, the carefully curated selection of CDs at Bonjour Records seemed hand-picked for runway soundtracks. Here are my favorite streetstyle photos from Daikanyama…xx eddie
Great Pics! Thanks for letting us “travel” along with you!
what a cool store.
Makes me wanna fly to Japan right now!
Great post!! So viual! Japanese people are so fearless when it comes to fashion!
Great style, so colorful and fun! Love the fringed cape!
does tokyo have its own fur trade? because i was on the PETA site today, and there is this horrific video on the fur trade in china, and they skin the animals alive, and stomp on thier heads and slam them on the ground if they squirm!!!!!! please tell me japan is different?
Hey Eddie,
Nice variety of shots. The fur is soooo uncool. Step up your game, Leroy.
Oh my gaw – love those two boys (blue letterman jacket and pink sweater + bowtie) UGH. why am i not there??? xror
Loving these shots, the Dakainyama look is very fresh!
We like reviewing Daikanyama street fashion photos. We do it almost daily. The street photos give us an idea on what people are putting on in their everyday life, and everybody knows Daikanyama styles are followed by many people in Asia and around the world. There are gaps between street and runway fashion, and between Asian and Western tastes. Those street fashion photos are making our reference when we are stocking for our clothes inventory.