Hidden Gems of Tokyo / Minami Aoyama
Minami Aoyama is a luxurious town situated right behind the glitzy Omotesando, and connecting to the urban district of Roppongi. Take a stroll along the streets of Minami Aoyama, and you will be mesmerized by world-renowned architectures, designer and boutique shops, classy bars, and rich cafes and restaurants.
Minami Aoyama is a very sought after neighborhood with an envy-worthy zip code desired by Japanese locals. There is nothing short on class in this area!
(Prada header photo by Eric Lim)
Pamper Yourself / Convenience
As you find yourself exploring the streets of Minami Aoyama, you will find some of the best Spas and Massage therapists to pamper yourself. There are hair salons on every corner, with the best stylists in the city.
Acali Boutique – with stylists who specialize in all types of hair (foreigners and Japanese)- is just one to name out of the many.
Nearby is a local Sento, Shimizu-yu — a hot bath for you to relax in at the end of your long day!
Conveniently located towards the west end is a large upscale supermarket called Kinokuniya International full of imported and local groceries. Picard, France’s largest and most loved frozen food chain, has their first shop in Minami Aoyama, as well. Here you can find frozen buttery croissants, diner meals, and some éclairs to top it off.
Amazing Dining Scene
Cicada
The vibrant dining scene is exceptional and won’t disappoint! You will be able to satisfy whatever your heart- or should we say taste buds desire, within Minami Aoyama.
An expat favorite is Cicada. Upscale Mediterranean cuisine (part of the Tysons collection) boasting European and Mediterranean flair in a resort-like atmosphere. The garden terrace in front of the restaurant has some of their other branches.
The delicious bakery Breadworks and restaurant Crisscross, with open-air seating, is excellent for the weekend serving all your brunch menu favorites.
Pizza Slice 2
Another few expat favorites are NY style pizza shop, Pizza Slice 2. Freshly made, selling by the slice, classic American flavors such as Pepperoni, and homemade meatballs.
Also, the NY famous Clinton St Baking Company has their own branch in Minami Aoyama, famous for brunch and all-day classics.
It would be easy to say that Minami Aoyama could compare with West Village, Manhattan, in its most desirable yet sophisticated charm.
Coffee & Bars
Can’t live without coffee? Tokyo has had its fair share of Coffee Roasters during its coffee boom. Thankfully the San Fransisco based chain Blue Bottle landed in the heart of this area. The largest Blue Bottle to date with gorgeous interior design creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Two Rooms Bar and Grill is a great place to end the night, or start the night and end it there. Delicious meats with a large, lively bar located on the 5th floor with stunning views overlooking the Omotesando Shopping District.
Truly there are many great bars in the area, and one exceptional place is Blue Note Jazz Club and Bar. Operating since 1988, delivering smooth jazz music concerts along with a fine dining experience. A true escape into the heart of music and away from your bustling day.
Michelin-Starred Restaurants
Most luxurious in fine dining- the Michelin-Starred restaurants in the area. There are many to choose from: Japanese cuisine to Italian and Innovative. A few of our favorites are the 7chome Yakitori restaurant, specializing in the quality of meat and cooking techniques that will soon make this your favorite.
Another Michelin-Starred restaurant that is quite popular among the locals is Yorozu Sushi, an Aging Sushi restaurant. A sushi experience like no other. The chef has studied and learned the art of Aging the fish and pairs it perfectly with red vinegar rice, instead of the traditional white vinegar. Reservations are required.
Other Michelin-Starred worthy of recommending are …
Prisma Tokyo, 2 Stars Italian
Tenoshima, Japanese cuisine
Mimosa Aoyama, Chinese
Tempura Uchitsu, Tempura
Narisawa, Innovative
With designer architecture drawing people to the area, the Prada flagship shop in Minami Aoyama is a landmark for this area. It boasts a breathtaking architect with glass in diamond-like shapes glistening in the sky.
Minami Aoyama has the perfect blend of city and nature, tree-lined streets, small parks, and shrines throughout allowing nature to breathe within the city landscape.
(Nezu Museum photo by C-Monster)
One of those Oases is the Nezu Museum boasting pre-modern Japanese and Oriental arts with a gorgeous Japanese Garden to wander through. Yoyogi Park, comparable to New York’s Central Park, and filled with Cherry Blossom trees during Spring, is only a short distance away. The Olympic Stadiums and parks, and the famous Ginkgo tree-lined street, which is a gorgeous stroll during Autumn, showing off its bright yellow leaves, is found in the neighborhood.
With so much to see and do, there almost isn’t even a need to leave this area. Yet, you are only walking, or short taxi distances from the most visited stops in Tokyo, if you do decide to wander a little. Located in the middle of Shibuya, Omotesando, and Roppongi, each neighborhood with its own distinct style. Omotesando has its own fair share of recommended spots, such as Commune 2nd and the Farmers Market every weekend, which you can read more about that here.
Minami Aoyama is an extremely sought after area that many expats don’t know about. You don’t see it on many Tourist websites because it isn’t a sightseeing day trip sort of place. Its a place someone goes to be pampered, to shop endlessly and dine richly. A place someone can roam continually and still find new treasures. Minami Aoyama, you truly are a hidden Gem.
Now want to make Minami Aoyama your new home? We have some great apartments in the area and are ready to introduce them to you today! Contact us today, and we can make that dream become a reality. 🙂
Here is the list of the above mentioned places:
Acali Boutique https://acali.storeinfo.jp/
Shimizuyu Sento https://shimizuyu.jp/
Kinokuniya International Supermarket https://www.super-kinokuniya.jp/store/international/ Ao Building B1F, 3-11-7 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Picard Frozen Foods https://www.picard-frozen.jp/ 5-9-12 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Cicada https://www.tysons.jp/cicada/en/ 5-7-28 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Pizza Slice 2 https://store.united-arrows.co.jp/shop/hby/pizza/ 3-14-17 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Clinton St Baking Company https://clintonstreetbaking.co.jp/ 5-17-1, Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
Blue Bottle Aoyama https://bluebottlecoffee.jp/cafes/aoyama 3-13-14 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Two Rooms Grill & Bar https://tworooms.jp/en/ 5F AO Building 3-11-7 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Blue Note Tokyo http://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp/ 6-3-16 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku , Tokyo 107-0062
7Chome Yakitori http://7chome.jimdo.com/ 7-13-13 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Forest Building B1F
Yorozu Sushi http://yorozu-sushi.com/ Vavill 301, 4-6-5 Higashi 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011
Nezu Museum http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/ 6-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062