TOKYO Day in SHIMOKITAZAWA with TOTORO and Time Travel 🍃☕️

TOKYO Day in SHIMOKITAZAWA with TOTORO and Time Travel 🍃☕️

Minan Konicha. I’m Serena and I live in Tokyo. Today I’m going to one of Tokyo’s most preferred neighborhood for secondhand lovers. But of course, this lovely area is not just about shopping. And as usual, I’m going to show you the different vibes you can find in the area. [Music] Shirro Higz cream puff factory. Here you can enjoy toto shape cream puff that are not only adorable but also freshly homemade. The flavors change with the season. Custard cream, chocolate, strawberry, matcha, peach, caramel, banana, and even chestnut in autumn. Today I chose mango. Each puff costs around 500 yen. There is a small shop downstairs where you can buy them to take away or you can head upstairs to the restaurant and enjoy them on the spot with a drink. [Music] I am now in Gotoji, a lovely Buddhist temple founded in 1480. It is believed to be the birthplace of the manino, the famous lucky cat. Legend says that a poor monk once scared for a stray cat here. One day, the cat raised its power and wave to a passing samurai lord to come inside the temple. Moments later, lightning struck the very spot where the samurai had been standing. Grateful for its narrow escape, the lord became the temple’s patron. Since then, maninoiko the waving cat has become beloved symbol of luck and prosperity. Today you will find thousands of them gathering here. Their little pow raised in welcome. A sea of cats bringing good fortune to all who visit. [Music] This is my first spider lily of the season. I’m so happy. They are so beautiful. [Music] I am now at showing Ginger, a very peaceful shrine that’s been founded in 1882. It’s dedicated to Yoshida Shining, a scholar and teacher that’s been inspiring many young samurai during the late Ado period. He played a key role in the events that eventually led to the Maji restoration, the turning point where Japan opened its door to the modern world. As you walk around the shrine dedicated to him, you will pass under a large wooden to gate and discover how his passion for learning and teaching help shape Japan’s future. [Music] [Music] This is totally understandable why people want to go to touristic places. If those places are crowded is for a reason is because places are beautiful. But did you notice the difference between Gookuchi Temple and Sharin Shrine where we are now? No one is here and the place is so sen, so peaceful, so quiet and as much spiritual as the other one. So don’t hesitate to go to local temples or shrines. This is always worth the visit and you will have the place for yourself. [Music] Now, let’s switch for something more urban. The carrot building was built in 1996 and has a free observation deck on the 26th floor. From here you can see all of Setagaya Shinjuku skyscrapers and on a clear day even Mount Fuji but not today. [Music] Next, I went to Hi Mu. Tucked away in a quiet residential street, this little cafe is a peaceful escape with excellent coffee and a unique artsy vibe, vintage goods are scattered around for sale, giving the place a playful and creative energy. It’s the kind of spot where every visit feels like discovering a hidden corner of Tokyo. I wanted to come to this coffee shop for a very long time, but last time I came, it was closed. So, I’m so happy I get to taste it today. [Music] What makes secondhand culture in Japan special is the care people give to their belongings. Clothes are not simply thrown away. They are sold, recycled, and given a new life. Because of that, when you shop secondhand here, most pieces look almost brand new. In recent years, vintage fashion has become popular not just among students, but also young professionals looking for unique styles that stands apart from fast fashion. It was my first time visiting Shimokazawa on a weekday. I usually come on weekends when the streets are full of music, energy, and people. This time it was so much quieter, almost too calm. It lacked its usual lively energy, but instead I noticed it could eventually offer the piece of a slow and easy shopping day. [Music] [Music] Hey, [Music] heat. Hey. [Music] From Toro Crimp Puff to Lucky Cats, historical shrines, city views, and Japan secondhand culture, each stop had its own charm. Simple yet full of life. It was one of those simple days that reminded me why I love exploring Tokyo so much. I hope you enjoyed this walk with me today. See you in the next video. Mic. [Music]

📍 Shimokitazawa — Tokyo’s Creative Heart

This month, I spent a day exploring Shimokitazawa, one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and artistic neighbourhoods — a place where vintage fashion, good food, and creativity come together.

From Totoro cream puffs at Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory, to a sea of lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple, a walk through the historical Yoshida Shōin Shrine, and finally a relaxing coffee break at Hi, Monsieur — every stop revealed a new side of Shimokitazawa’s charm.

And visiting on a weekday gave the area a completely different feel — quieter, slower, yet still full of character.

📍 Main spots

🍮 Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory | Totoro cream puffs
🐱 Gotokuji Temple | Thousands of lucky cats
⛩️ Yoshida Shōin Shrine | History and inspiration
👗 Shimokitazawa | Vintage fashion & thrift culture
☕ Hi, Monsieur | Coffee and creative vibes
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🎶 Music from Epidemicsound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/

🎬 My filming gear
https://www.sabrina-injapan.com/my-filming-gear/

🌐 Sabrina in Japan, The Blog_
https://www.sabrina-injapan.com/

📷 Social network_
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_injapan/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.injapan/
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