12 Cool & Photogenic Streets in Tokyo You Should Not Miss

As one of the world’s largest cities, Tokyo never runs out of beautiful streets to visit and take stunning photos of. You could spend a week or two in Japan’s capital and still be surprised by how many sightseeing spots, restaurants, and cafes there are left to be explored. 

That’s why we’re here to help! Let’s forget about the usual spots travellers love visiting in Tokyo and focus on the coolest and most photogenic streets in the city. From beautiful streets with artsy walls and cute coffee spots to those with local boutiques and premium restaurants, here are the most interesting Tokyo streets to check out on your next visit!

Before to start, if you are tired of your selfies and want to get quality shots during your trip to Tokyo, we highly recommend you to hire a local photographer!

You can use the services of Photo Trips for example that made booking a photoshoot in Tokyo super easy. They have a wide range of photo experiences provided by talented and friendly photographers. Check them out here: Best Photoshoots in Tokyo.

1. Yanaka Ginza

If you want to experience the ancient way of Japanese shopping, you have to visit Yanaka Ginza near Nippori Station. It’s a retro shopping street filled with old buildings and boutiques selling Japanese desserts, street food, handmade goods, and ceramics. We know you’ll love the chestnut ice cream, croquettes, and takoyaki. 

Besides being photogenic, Yanaka Ginza remains a famous street among locals because it’s where they can find their go-to butchers and grocers for their favorite vegetables. Additionally, Yanaka’s love for cats is pretty much evident everywhere, including street signs and decorations with cat drawings!

2. Kabukichō Ichiban-gai, Shinjuku

How can you miss Kabukichō Ichiban-gai in Shinjuku, Tokyo’s famous Red Light District? This street is easily recognizable with its red overhead sign, making it one of the most prominent locations around the neighborhood. 

Kabukichō is a beautiful place any time of the day, but you can see more bright neon lights illuminated when visiting at night. Photographers love catching these neon signs and capturing beautiful shots. On the other hand, foodies will love the wide range of food selections, including pubs, yakitori eateries, cocktail bars, and noodle shops. Karaoke rooms are also everywhere, as well as cinemas, gentlemen’s clubs, and pachinko parlors. 

3. Ameya Yokocho

Amya Yokocho is a cool open-air shopping street, otherwise known as the famous Ameyoko in Tokyo. This area is near the railway running from Okachimachi to Ueno Stations. 

Travelers and even locals started flocking to Ameya Yokocho after World War II. Vendors began selling cheap American army goods and hand-to-find candies. But today, you’ll see more stalls selling fresh seafood, trendy clothes, and fruits on sticks. 

What’s unique about Ameya Yokocho is you’ll find several bargain brands if you’re determined to score the cheapest item. We stumbled upon many sports and designer brands where you can also negotiate with the vendors. 

4. Chazawa-dori, Sangenjaya

Heading to Sangenjaya? We highly recommend visiting Chazawa-dori, a long and narrow shopping street starting from the Sangenjaya Station. This excellent street caters to a wide selection of experiences. You’ll find friendly restaurants, fragrant bakeries selling freshly baked goodies, local veggie stands, and trendy cafes. 

Cars won’t be able to pass through Chazawa-dori on weekends because it’s only open to travelers visiting the shopping street. If you’re coming from the station, head north so you can check out everything from the start to the end. Shomokitazawa is also close by and is famous for its vintage clothes. 

Can you spot the giant Gorilla in Chazawa-dori?

5. Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku

Photographers just love visiting Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku for beautiful shots. You’ll find eateries packed next to each other, but the walking areas are broad enough so you can still freely move even with the crowd. 

Omoide Yokocho is filled with decorations that match all 4 seasons. Spring features pink cherry blossoms, while you’ll witness beautiful orange and red maple leaves during fall. Summer calls for green bamboo leaves, and rounded white leaves dominate during winter. 

6. Ginza Corridor Street

Ginza Corridor Street is a super cool spot in Tokyo, tucked under the train tracks between Yurakucho and Shimbashi. It’s packed with cozy izakayas, trendy bars, and international restaurants, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for classic Japanese skewers or a fancy cocktail, this street has you covered.

At night, the lanterns light up, giving the whole place a chill, welcoming vibe—perfect for grabbing a bite or unwinding with friends. It’s a must-visit if you’re exploring Ginza!

7. Sakura-dori, Shibuya

Sakura-Dori is the perfect photogenic street in Tokyo in spring. It’s known for its vibrant cherry blossoms that drape a long winding road where you can stand in the middle and take beautiful spring photos. 

Sakura-Dori is filled with hundreds of Yoshino cherry trees that make the perfect backdrop for any shot. It gets pretty crowded in spring, so we suggest going there as early as you can. The sunrise and the cherry blossoms also make an excellent combination! 

8. Cat Street, Shibuya

After hearing the name, you would think it’s filled with cute felines and charming cats. Well, it’s the opposite! Cat Street in Shibuya is a quiet place made for pedestrians only. It’s a connecting street between Shibuya and Omotesando neighborhoods and is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

Besides local boutiques, Cat Street is also lined with shops that sell luxurious international and independent labels. There are also seasonal pop-up shops depending on the season. Cat Street also has a few little roads, which we highly recommend visiting because they are way less crowded. Menchirashi, one of the most famous restaurants, serves the best handmade udon, onigiri rice balls, and tempura. 

The name "Cat Street" is inspired by the catwalk that models follow to showcase their clothes during a fashion show.

9. Center-gai, Shibuya

Also called Basketball street, Shibuya Center-gai combines Western shops and authentic Japanese karaoke bars and eateries. Today, this cool street is one of Tokyo’s liveliest streets, especially at night! Upon entering, you’ll immediately see UFO-like lampposts with white and black signs, with Shibuya Center-Gai written in Japanese. 

Most establishments at Center-Gai have very loud music and flickering lights so expect a very lively atmosphere. This busy street includes pubs, bars, and restaurants that sample conveyor-belt sushi. You can even book karaoke rooms or buy snacks from local convenience stores. 

10. Togoshi Ginza

Tokyo’s longest shopping district also deserves to be on the list. It’s close to the Togoshi-Ginza station and is filled with different local traders, groceries, and food stalls. Head to the area on weekends so you can freely walk on the roads, not worrying about cars (they’re not permitted to enter!). 

What we want to highlight with Togoshi Ginza is the famous Gin-Chan, the shopping street’s yellow mascot. There are a total of three statues all around Togoshi, with each statue holding a ball. Don’t forget to rub the ball, as it’s believed to bring health, romance, and good luck. 

11. Omotesando, Shibuya

Omotesando remains one of Tokyo’s fanciest streets, and it is pretty much like New York’s Park Avenue. It exudes elegance in the tall bushy trees, together with designer shops like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Dior, and more. Even window shoppers love visiting this street because it’s peaceful and beautiful to stroll around!

Looking for Tokyu Plaza’s mirrored staircase? It’s right at the junction of Meiji-dori and Omotesando!

12. Takeshita Street, Harajuku

Foreign travelers love Takeshita Street in Harajuku, a famous hangout spot among trendy teens. Takeshita Street is all about delicious food stalls and kawaii treats like candy floss, grilled cheese sandwiches with rainbow theme, and crepes. Kids will also love animal-shaped ice cream cones and other sweet snacks. 

Besides food stalls, Takeshita Street also has fashion boutiques that feature street-style apparel and casual clothes. The first thing you’ll see when visiting this place are the balloon-like sculptures near the street’s entrance sign. 

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Our list of the coolest and most photogenic streets in Tokyo only proves that the city has so much more to offer. More than the large-scale sightseeing spots and attractions, Tokyo holds charming streets and neighborhoods worth visiting any time of the year. 

If you are looking for more photo spots in the city of lights, you should also check out these articles:

The Most Instagrammable Photo Spots in Tokyo

The Most Photogenic Locations in Asakusa

The Best Night Photo Spots in Tokyo

The Most Photogenic Cafes in Tokyo