A Peaceful Winter Morning in Tokyo
I truly cherish the tranquil winter mornings in Tokyo. With temperatures around 4°C, the crisp, cold air and the stillness of the streets before rush hour create the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll. There is something special about walking through the city at this hour, enjoying the calm before the day fully begins.
To start our day on a gentle note, we opted for a light breakfast and coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee, located in NeWoman, Shinjuku. Blue Bottle Coffee has become one of our favorite coffee spots in Tokyo. We are drawn to their excellent selection of coffees and their variety of light food options, which always make for a satisfying and enjoyable start to the morning.
A Morning Split: Disney Sea and Nakameguro
After finishing our light breakfast at Blue Bottle Coffee, our family decided to split into two groups for the day’s adventures. My wife, eldest daughter, and youngest son chose to visit Disney Sea, a popular destination known for its unique attractions and themed experiences.
Meanwhile, my eldest son, second daughter, son-in-law and I set off for Nakameguro. Nakameguro (中目黒) is a trendy, residential district located in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward, renowned for the scenic Meguro River, which is famously lined with cherry blossom trees during spring. The riverside area boasts stylish boutiques, independent galleries, and hip cafés and restaurants, creating an artsy and laid-back atmosphere that stands in contrast to the frenetic pace found in other parts of Tokyo. The nearby Daikanyama district features Tsutaya Books, further adding to the creative and relaxed vibe of the neighborhood.
Traveling to Nakameguro from Shinjuku requires about 25 minutes by train, including one transfer. Before boarding, my son and I took the opportunity to capture a few photos at the bustling Shinjuku Station train depot, documenting the start of our journey to Nakameguro.
A Coffee Stop at Onibus Coffee in Nakameguro
Upon arriving at Nakameguro, our first stop was Onibus Coffee, one of the coffee shops on our must-visit list. Onibus Coffee is located right by Nakameguro Station and occupies a renovated, traditional-style home. The café features a small outdoor seating area on the ground floor, providing a cozy spot to enjoy the fresh air. Upstairs, there is an enclosed space with several tables and a bar-style table by the window, offering guests a unique vantage point to watch the trains pass by or observe the small playground and park adjacent to the café.
Onibus Coffee is renowned for serving excellent coffee, with beans sourced from various regions around the world. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, making it an ideal place for reading, working, or enjoying quiet conversation and contemplation. Whether seated indoors or out, Onibus provides a tranquil setting to savor a quality cup of coffee in the heart of Nakameguro.
Relaxing Upstairs at Onibus Coffee
After getting our coffee and pastries, we headed upstairs to unwind. The upper floor of Onibus Coffee offered a peaceful retreat from the bustle below, making it an ideal spot to relax, engage in conversation, and capture some photographs. As we settled in, I noticed a lady sitting quietly in the corner, absorbed in her book. She wore a dark jacket, with the red sleeves of her shirt peeking out, adding a touch of color to her silhouette. The scene was even more striking whenever a train with red accents passed by the window, perfectly framing her in the soft, natural light. The combination of the tranquil atmosphere and these small, memorable details made our time there especially enjoyable.
A Scenic Winter Walk Along the Meguro River
After finishing our coffee at Onibus, we decided to take a leisurely walk to the Meguro River. Even though it was already winter and most of the trees lining the riverbanks had shed their leaves, a few stubborn branches still held onto their vibrant autumn reds. These remaining clusters of color provided a striking contrast to the otherwise bare landscape, making the riverside scenery exceptionally picturesque.
As we strolled along the narrow river, we enjoyed casual conversation and took our time exploring the boutique shops scattered along both sides. The relaxed pace and charming surroundings offered a perfect opportunity to soak in the beauty of Nakameguro during the quieter winter season.
Exploring Daikanyama
We decided to have lunch at the Riverside Club Music Cafe & Bistro along Meguro River. Riverside club is a all-day lounge that serves good food, great coffee and wonderful music carefully curated from their extensive collection of vinyl records. After lunch, we continued our journey by walking to Daikanyama, a trendy and upscale neighborhood located within the Shibuya ward. Daikanyama exudes a unique university-town vibe, with several embassies in the area, striking modern architecture, and an array of boutiques and cafés. One of the highlights of the neighborhood is the renowned Daikanyama T-Site, which features a spacious Tsutaya Bookstore spread across two sleek, glass-enclosed low-rise buildings. The compound also offers a Starbucks Coffee inside the bookstore, as well as a variety of small cafés, food stalls, and shops outside.
Unfortunately, my legs and feet were quite sore from wearing the wrong shoes, so I chose to rest instead of taking photos while exploring Daikanyama. During our walk from Nakameguro to Daikanyama, I was struck by how hilly Tokyo is—the streets are often uphill and occasionally quite steep. This terrain may well contribute to the slim and fit appearance of many Japanese people. The few photos I did manage to take during this segment of the trip were captured with my Ricoh GR IV camera.
If I have the opportunity to return to Tokyo, I would definitely spend more time exploring Daikanyama and dedicate more effort to photographing the area.
Return to Nakameguro and the I AM Donut? Craze
After exploring Daikanyama, we considered walking to the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which was about a 20-minute walk away. However, we decided instead to head back to Nakameguro, drawn by the excitement surrounding Tokyo’s new donut sensation—I Am Donut?. Conveniently located right across from the train station in Nakameguro, this spot has quickly gained popularity.
On our way back, we discovered another coffee shop called Good Sound Coffee. Although the name was promising, the coffee itself was just average—decent but not as impressive as the other coffee experiences we had enjoyed throughout our time in Tokyo. In fact, it was probably the only letdown among all the coffee places we tried during our trip.
After finishing our coffee, we joined the long line at I Am Donut? and waited for about 30 minutes before it was our turn to order. Feeling a bit too full, I chose not to have any donuts. However, my son, daughter, and son-in-law tried them and all agreed that the donuts were delicious and well worth the wait.
Experiencing Shibuya Scramble Crossing
After leaving Daikanyama, we made our way to Shibuya so that my kids could experience the renowned Shibuya Scramble Crossing for the first time. Shibuya is known as one of Tokyo’s most lively and fashionable districts, with its bustling streets and energetic atmosphere. At the heart of the district lies the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing, often cited as the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world. During each green light cycle, up to 3,000 people surge across from all directions, making it a unique spectacle and a quintessential Tokyo experience.
Crossing the intersection felt chaotic yet strangely organized—despite the sheer number of people, everyone managed to navigate through the crowd safely. It was exhilarating and a must-try for anyone visiting Tokyo.
After the excitement and energy of Shibuya, we found ourselves quite tired and decided to return to Shinjuku. We took a break to rest before heading out for dinner. For our evening meal, we chose one of our favorite fast-food chains in Tokyo—Yoshinoya. The familiar comfort food was the perfect way to end a busy day of exploring the city before calling it a night.
This day stood out as the most visually striking of our trip, thanks to the incredible photogenic charm of Nakameguro. The vibrant streets and picturesque scenes made it a photographer’s dream, offering endless opportunities to capture the essence of Tokyo’s unique atmosphere. I truly hope, God-willing, to return and experience these beautiful moments once again in the future.
Thus ended Day 4 of our 7-day Tokyo vacation. ( I skipped Day 3, I will blog about it last). Thank you for visiting.
All photos in the blog were taken with the Sony A7C2 + Sony 24-50mm f/2.8G lens with some of the Daikanyama shots taken with the Ricoh GR IV. I also used a K&F VND +CPL for these shots. All were shot in jpg and edited via LR Classic.
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