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! 

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.

Hawaian inspired tiny tiki bar, just a round corner form Shimokitazawa Station. Super nice decoration / owners personal skateboard collection, wired plants etc. Best Mojito in Tokyo! 

It’s a really big beautiful botanical park in Tokyo with a nice green house. I went there a few months ago after the big typhoon hit there, many trees were knocked down by the killing wind, even big ones. Recently some newscaster’s body was found there, but hey, it’s still an amazing park.

Visiting POSTALCO brought me to this area of the city for the first time. With a fascination of their beautifully crafted stationery papers, I went to see their other original accessories, apparel collection and selected books too. It's a peaceful corner to quiet mind and re-imagine our contemporary style of writing / reading / creating.