Omiya Pastry Shop is an open self-service shop, with an atmosphere of unique and elegant calm, reasonable prices, and a basic flavor. The space and the taste is satisfactory on every count. The interior gives me the feeling that I've gone back in time to Japan's Showa period.

My friends run this event space called Asoko in Koenji. I had an event there last summer and the theme was “mad scientist” and this photo is actually from that night. We made 300 falafels for it. By the way, Asoko means “there,” but also is a slang for a vagina.

In the same district than Path really good natural wine selection, super nice host and every Friday Vinyl selection.

Citylight Book at Yoyogi-uehara is the type of independent bookstore where I would wish to hang every week. It opens in the afternoon and runs through late night as a bookstore, as well as a meet-up place, a bar for book lovers. Founded by Kaminaga-san, a veteran who had worked with publishing industry for many years before creating his own version of bookstore, this is a cool place to browse for new titles of books and magazines of a wide range of genres/topics. The second floor works as a nice study room too. CABO, the mix place where the bookstore is located also offers other original selection of snack bar and fine dining. You can easily drift in and out, encountering interesting souls in the hood. I had a book launch and talk event here in May, 2024. It's been such a wonderful experience, good crowd and good vibes only! 

This bar is located in the residential area of Kyodo. It opens Monday to Saturday. People come after work, they start to chat naturally with the owner and other customers. Drinks are always excellent but also the food is marvelous.