A guide to the best parts of Tokyo. Or at least, what I think are the best parts of Tokyo. From Harajuku's fashion madness to geek-infested Akihabara and alterna-cool Shimo-Kitazawa. Find out about the hot spots that aren't in your guide book.

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Shimokitazawa on 18/4/08

Get away from the youth culture bustle of Shibuya and Harajuku. Shimokitazawa is full of live music venues, bars, second-hand clothes stores and record shops. More laid back than some of its big-city ... Read more

 

109 Building on 18/4/08

Along with La Foret in Harajuku, 109 is a centre of Tokyo`s disposable trends. Aimed primarily at women in their late teens and early 20s.

 

Spain Slope on 18/4/08

A narrow pedestrian street with heaps of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Leads up to Parco department store. One of Shibuya`s cutest areas.

 

Love Hotel Hill on 18/4/08

Love Hotels, for the uninitiated, are short-stay joints where young Japanese couples go to get busy for a few hours. They often feature themed rooms and if you can afford to blow a few thousand yen, s... Read more

 

Tower Records on 18/4/08

Nine floors of media madness. The Shibuya branch of Tower Records is one of the biggest music stores in the world. I can personally vouch for their electronica and indie selections - there`s treasure ... Read more

 

Centre Gai on 18/4/08

Another of Tokyo`s most famous shopping strips. Massive electronics stores, CD shops, cheap restaurants and head (legal drugs) stores among them. Also has a shady side - drug dealers, brothel recruite... Read more

 

Hachiko Crossing on 18/4/08

Ever seen movies set in Tokyo where seemingly endless hordes of people stream across a neon-and-video soaked crossing. Well, this is the spot. Linking Shibuya station and the various streets that lead... Read more

 

Dancing Elvis Troupe on 18/4/08

Everyone who comes to Yoyogi on the weekend has seen the dancing Elvises. Mixing high-octane Rockabilly with the dance-in-a-line sensibilities of the Backstreet Boys, they`re out every weekend in thei... Read more

 

On weekends, when the sun`s going down, come to Yoyogi and you`ll hear the distant thud of big, ballsy sound systems Follow those thuds and you`ll chance upon the free, weekly electronic music parties... Read more

 

Takeshita Dori on 18/4/08

A jumble of youth fashion stores of every variety - from second-hand jeans and T-shirts emblazoned with hilarious English ("I am understand bear, love me well"), right through to elaborate Goth-Loli c... Read more