Home to sophisticated shopping and dining options, 青山 Aoyama and 表参道 Omotesandō are definitely the places to go to get a feel for Tokyo’s more luxurious side. With high-end boutiques, impressive architecture, museums, and Michelin-starred restaurants, Aoyama and Omotesando offer a unique blend of fashion, design, art, and culture, making them popular destinations for visitors to Tokyo who are interested in exploring the city’s more upscale side.
Access
The classy shopping and dining boulevards of both Aoyama and Omotesando neighborhoods are within reasonable walking distance from Omotesando Station (C04, G02, Z02), which is accessible via the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.
Food and Drink
Both Aoyama and Omotesando offer a number of trendy cafes and restaurants.
While the trendy neighborhoods of Aoyama and Omotesando are primarily known for their top-end shopping options and art, hungry travelers will have no problem diving into diverse dining options that cater to a variety of tastes, from traditional Japanese cuisine to contemporary fusion dishes. Many of the options reflect the upscale atmosphere of the areas, with a number of popular gourmet eateries—some even Michelin-recommended—to explore. Although there are options for most budgets, travelers may want to prepare for some of the more expensive delicacies of Japan’s modern food scene.
Aoyama
Aoyama is a great place to get your hands on tasty and traditional Japanese confectionery. [Photo for illustrative purposes only]
Fusion cuisine: There are several restaurants in Aoyama that offer a fusion of Japanese and international cuisine, with a particular focus on Japanese and French dishes, with seasonal menus that fit in with the fast-changing trends of the area.
Japanese sweets: Traditional Japanese confectionery called 和菓子 wagashi are available all over Japan, often at reasonable prices. Aoyama, however, also has many chic cafes and dessert shops where more luxury versions are available. Travelers with a sweet tooth can indulge in fancier versions of Japanese sweets favorites such as mochi, and matcha-flavored desserts.
Omotesando
Omotesando Coffee: Omotesando is known for its specialty coffee shops that serve high-quality coffee brewed from carefully selected beans. Many of these coffee shops offer a unique and stylish atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee and soaking in the trendy surroundings.
Omotesando is well known for its deliciously brewed coffee, found both in chic cafes and back-alley shops. [Photo for illustrative purposes only]
Desserts: Omotesando also has its share of stylish dessert shops and bakeries that offer a wide range of sweets, from artisanal chocolates to beautifully crafted pastries and cakes. These dessert shops often have unique and eye-catching presentations that are perfect for foodies and Instagram enthusiasts alike.
Shopping
Aoyama
Aoyama itself is known as a diverse and “brand” shopping area, with a mix of high-end fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a great place for strolling and shopping for clothing and accessories, particularly from some of Japan’s major fashion houses.
The streets of Aoyama are filled with many attractive shops and boutiques.
骨董通り Kottō-dōri: This shopping street in Aoyama is known for its antique shops, art galleries, and interior design stores. It’s a great place for those interested in unique, vintage, and artistic goods that provide a bit of a different aesthetic complement to the luxury goods sold in the area.
Omotesando
Omotesando Avenue: Lined by its signature tall Zelkova trees, this avenue is the main street in Omotesando and is lined with numerous luxury brand flagship stores, high-end boutiques, and trendy fashion shops. It’s a popular spot for some select shopping, particularly for fashion-forward items. An added bonus of visiting in winter is that the trees are decorated with sparkling illumination displays at night.
Lines of Japanese Zelkova trees provide the backdrop for shopping adventures in Omotesando.
Omotesando Hills: This is Omotesando’s star attraction shopping complex, which features a range of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty brands. It’s known for its standout architecture and interior design, with a spiral-shaped ramp that takes visitors through various levels of shops and restaurants. In addition to its many stores, Omotesando Hills often hosts pop-up events and shops, giving visitors a reason to come back for more.
Omotesando Hills is a great place to take in a day of shopping and admiring the architecture.
Sightseeing and Attractions
Aoyama
根津美術館 Nezu Museum: While much of the Aoyama and Omotesando area is bursting with modern art and fashion, the Nezu Museum is a renowned private museum that houses an impressive collection of Japanese and Asian art, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, and sculptures. The museum is also known for its beautiful Japanese garden, which is even larger than the museum itself.
Farmer’s Market: Held in front of the United Nations University every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, this farmer’s market features fresh produce and ready-to-eat snacks sold by farmers from all around Japan.
Omotesando
Take in some architectural splendor as you explore Omotesando’s shopping options.
Appreciate the architecture: It’s easy to get distracted by what’s on the shelves, but travelers to the area will want to keep an eye on the buildings they walk into as well. Omotesando is renowned for its architecture, including the Omotesando Hills complex designed by Tadao Ando, the Gyre building designed by MVRDV, and the modernist Dojunkai Aoyama Apartments.
Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum: This museum is dedicated to the works of Taro Okamoto, a prolific Japanese painter, sculptor, and writer. In contrast to the Nezu Museum, the museum features more contemporary works of art, highlighted by many of Okamoto’s unique sculptures.
In summary, Aoyama and Omotesando offer a way for travelers to dive into the more elegant sides of Japanese fashion, shopping, and art. The area’s many luxury brand shops and trendy boutiques provide a uniquely vibrant and sophisticated atmosphere, but its local shops, quiet spaces, and admirable architecture provide plenty of fun options for those not looking to dive too deep into their wallet. A day in both neighborhoods will prove why they’re some of Tokyo’s most popular destinations for shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.
