Look Street

Look Street is tranquil and unassuming during day time and weekdays but thriving at weekends and illuminated at night creating a romantic and serene ambience. Located to the south of PAL shopping street and running straight up to Shin-Koenji, it's a real gem of a shopping district. With an abundance of vintage shops serving a myriad of styles, customers try out stores such as Lover Soul, SLUT and hidden gem Reverie Emporium for steampunk apparel and curiosities.

There is also a slight preoccupation with Americana on Look Street so, naturally, suits those interested in rockabilly, 50s America and music from the last century. Try the wonderfully eccentric Pocket 57 on one backstreet. There is also a healthy selection of small, independently owned coffee stores (such as Honohono and Coffee Amp) that roast their own beans and serve a wide choice of edibles too.

Whale meat isn't too popular in most countries but Koenji's Look Street has a charming and unassuming restaurant named Jinbe with a very friendly and charismatic owner. Whale meat has become something of a delicacy in Japan which has been consumed since centuries ago.

Remake shops are especially popular with foreign visitors and Koenji has a wonderful selection of stores serving this thriving industry as well as handmade mask stores, souvenir shops and quirky knick-knack boutiques. It's a popular area for students and ladies looking for something special and unique to wear. Families and kids can seek a bit of tranquillity and quirkiness, something to see and something to share too.

Look Street, then, is a community. A group of people sharing their passions, be it fashion, coffee or subculture. It's a warm and kind area of Tokyo and the collective spirit is very much evident in Look Street with its cheerful and helpful shop staff, chefs and community organization who take a great deal of pride in the street and want nothing else than to serve the local community and keep Look Street alive for decades to come.