Nakameguro

• The 2020 Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival which was scheduled to take place between March 20 and April 10 has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. You are still free to walk along the river, however.

Almost bisected by the Meguro River, this upscale, residential neighborhood has managed to retain a connection to its hipster roots, despite the influx of chain stores, and now is one of Tokyo’s most popular areas.

Nakameguro’s real showcase is the cherry blossoms blooming on the banks of the Meguro river during spring. The soft pink petals of the trees are beautiful during the day, reflected in the water’s surface, and absolutely breathtaking at night, when the bright pink of the illuminated trees contrasts with the water, glowing red and yellow from the festival lanterns. This is one of the capital’s best sakura spots and draws huge crowds year after year. In the winter, these crowds return to view the Christmas illumination displays, when the trees are decorated with thousands of lights.

But the river is gorgeous year-round and it’s here where you can experience the quirky atmosphere that made Nakameguro so popular in the first place. Artsy boutiques, tiny terraced cafes and candle-lit restaurants line the river, making it an ideal spot for shopping, eating, or people watching. Plus it’s one of the few areas in the city where even tourists can feel like locals.

Out of all the districts in Tokyo, international food is where Nakameguro shines. Two of the best pizza restaurants (Da Isa and Seirinkan), one of the city’s top Mexican restaurants (Junkadelic), and a slew of delicious restaurants are all within a few minutes’ walk of the station. Without even trying, you can find top-quality restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world—just pick a direction and walk!

If you have the time, spend an afternoon just wandering around. The neighborhood has so many unique things to offer: lifestyle stores like 1LDK, which sells everything from clothes to stationery to household items; unique museums (many of which are free), such as the Meguro Parasitological Museum; and delightful spots like the Peanuts Café, a themed café based on the American comic strip, to name just a few.