Taste of Yoyogi: Tokyo’s Green Oasis of Culture and Food

Sandwiched between Shibuya and Shinjuku, the neighborhood of Yoyogi is an oasis amidst the concrete jungle we call Tokyo. Aside from the famous Yoyogi Park, Yoyogi has also served as the central hub for the past Olympic events Japan has hosted – from the first one in 1964 until the most recent 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its name, Yoyogi, is from the combination of the words “Yoyo” (代々) meaning “for generations”, and “Gi” (木) which means “tree.” It literally means “A tree for generations” and was said to refer to the ancient fir tree that used to grow in Meiji Shrine a long time ago. Today, the neighborhood is mostly made up of Yoyogi Park, residential areas, local restaurants and bakeries, and businesses. While there’s not much entertainment going on in Yoyogi, there are still things you can do when visiting the area. With several stations in the area including Yoyogi-Uehara, Yoyogi-koen, and Yoyogi Station, the area is also easily accessible from other areas of Tokyo.

Yoyogi Park

When talking about the area of Yoyogi, it’s natural to talk about Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s largest parks, taking up about 134 acres of space, which means you can literally spend the whole day just exploring the park itself. Similar to New York City’s Central Park, Yoyogi Park is a breath of fresh air in the middle of urban Tokyo. Full of trees, flower gardens, and even ponds, it is a great place for walks, picnics, and outdoor activities. And the best part of it all is entry is free! 

Yoyogi Park has around 700 cherry blossom trees and so in spring, it becomes a popular hanami spot for both locals and tourists. It is also a famous spot during the autumn season for its ginkgo trees. If you’re lucky, you may be able to enjoy a festival inside the park as it is also a venue for different kinds of festivals throughout the year – especially food! The Vietnam Festival, Thai Festival, Hokkaido Fair, and a fish festival are just some annual festivals you can enjoy in Yoyogi Park!

To reach this spot, get off at Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line, or Yoyogi-Uehara Station on the Chiyoda Line.

Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center

A 20-minute walk away from Yoyogi Park is Yoyogi-Uehara, home to the Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center – the largest mosque in Japan. A must-visit when you are in the area, the mosque has been welcoming both Muslims and non-Muslims since 2000. Visitors can admire the beautiful Islamic architectural features adorned by Arabic calligraphy and geometric designs.

There is also a shop on the mosque’s first floor where visitors can buy Turkish souvenirs, and also a library that is open to worshippers. On the second floor is the prayer hall – a marbled terrace with beautifully decorated arches and a dome-shaped ceiling.

Koga Masao Museum of Music

For the music lovers, there is also a museum of music located in Yoyogi-Uehara. The Koga Masao Museum of Music is dedicated to Koga Masao, a famous Japanese composer and guitarist, and pioneer of Japanese pop culture music. The museum was built on the land of the musician’s former residence, and it exhibits various memorabilia such as album covers, movie posters, and even a recreation of his former home. There is also a library that contains the works he created during his lifetime. There is even a basement recording studio where visitors can record their own CD for a fee!

Okushibu

Moving to another part of Yoyogi, Okushibu, also known as Ura-Shibuya, is near the Yoyogi-Koen station and refers to the back alleys of Shibuya that has numerous art galleries, stylish restaurants of different cuisines, trendy cafes and bakeries. Because of its chic image and peaceful atmosphere, Okushibu is usually described as the Shibuya for adults. 

For the coffee enthusiasts, The Latte Tokyo is a cafe that specializes in lattes and serves a range of unique flavors you can’t find anywhere else. They have caramel, strawberry, coconut, and even mint! Another special shop in Okushibu is a Portuguese sweet shop called Nata de Cristiano. They are famous for their signature dish, the Pastel de Nata. For those looking to drink some alcohol, Ahiru Store is a standing wine bar in the area that is also fairly well known for their homemade bread!

Good Town Bakehouse

If you’re craving for some good ol’ American-style breakfasts, head on over to Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi-Uehara. The restaurant is Japan’s take on the classic American diner and is famous for serving breakfasts all day long. If you’re not in the mood for some sausage and bacon, you can also try their pastries like doughnuts, or even their craft beers. They also have the American diner staple, fountain sodas, on their menus!

TREE by NAKED

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience while you’re in Tokyo, definitely try TREE by NAKED in Yoyogi Park! The restaurant is owned by NAKED, Inc, the company behind the interactive art and project mapping exhibitions in different parts of Japan! 

The whole dinner experience stimulates more than just our taste buds through a combination of great food, virtual reality, projection mapping, aromas, and more for around two hours. The restaurant is tree-themed, and it shows through their eight-course dinner that represents each life stage of a tree.

At first glance, the Yoyogi area may be mostly made up of residenses and  businesses, there’s so you can do and discover in the neighborhood on your next visit to Tokyo!

 

Feature photo credit: TCVB

 

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