Aoyama Things to Do: Shopping, Dining, Art, Tokyo Nightlife

Aoyama: Tokyo's Fashionable Neighborhood

The intersection between Aoyama-dori Avenue and Omotesando

With its streets lined with classy stores and boutiques, Aoyama is Tokyo's fashion-forward neighborhood. Just a short walk away from Harajuku and Omotesando, Aoyama is also a 2-minute train ride away from Shibuya.

Compared to its neighboring trend-setting districts, this area is more sophisticated and appeals to a mature crowd. Here, you'll find high-end brands and unique boutiques.

From cafes and restaurants to jazz clubs and museums—not to mention the lush greenery—Aoyama stands out through its elegant, laidback atmosphere within the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.

*Omotesando and Aoyama are often considered the same neighborhood because of their close proximity and undefined borders. This article also introduces Omotesando Hills and several locations in Harajuku as part of Aoyama.

• Aoyama: Things to Do and Places to Visit
• 1. Stroll around Aoyama
• 2. Art Museums in Aoyama
• 3. Charming Cafes in the Back Alleys
• 4. Restaurants in Aoyama
• 5. Shopping in Aoyama
• 6. Grab a Quick Bite at Cat Street
• 7. Enjoy the City's Night Life at Blue Note Tokyo
• 8. Watch Games at Japan's Famous Stadiums
• 9. Gifts and Souvenirs
• 10. Hotels in Aoyama
• Access to Aoyama

1. Stroll around Aoyama

Enjoy Aoyama's Unique Architecture

Clockwise from the top left: Tod's, Ao Building, Louis Vuitton, and Portofino

When walking from Omotesando to Aoyama, you are likely to notice unique buildings lining the streets.

Resembling intertwining trees, the Tod's building was designed by the renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito. Meanwhile, the Louis Vuitton storefront has a striking wide screen panel that exudes supreme refinement.

The pair of Ao Buildings is a landmark of Aoyama. When you enter the street from there, you will also come across the Portofino in a quiet residential area.

Why not take a stroll through the Aoyama area while admiring the unique architecture?

Explore Kotto-Dori Street

As you continue strolling through Aoyama, you will also spot a number of small, quirky shops amidst the high-end brands.

The brick building pictured on the left is the Sanyodo Bookstore. Located at the intersection of Omotesando/Aoyama-dori, this long-established bookstore has seen the Aoyama area develop and evolve since its founding in 1891.

Adding to the building's warm aesthetic is a mural by Rokuro Taniuchi, a Showa-era illustrator.

Kotto-dori Street

Kotto-dori Street was named after the countless stores that sold antiques (kotto). In recent years, antique shops are few and far between, but you can still find some alongside art galleries in the alleys.

Aside from being an area dotted with cafes, you can reach the Nezu Museum at the back of Koto-dori Street or the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum on the adjacent street.

Kotto-dori Street
Google Map

2. Art Museums in Aoyama

Nezu Museum

The entrance to the Nezu Museum has a 40-meter-long bamboo hedgerow

A few blocks from Kotto-dori Street is the Nezu Museum. Founded in 1941, this art museum displays the art collection of businessman Kaichiro Nezu (1860-1940). The building was designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and features an impressive bamboo hedgerow at the entrance.

At this museum, visitors can enjoy a plethora of East Asian and Japanese art pieces. The ancient Chinese bronze ware on display on the second floor is remarkably well-preserved.

In the tea ceremony showroom, you can admire the utensils used in tea ceremonies hosted by Nezu himself. He would routinely rotate the artworks and calligraphy hangings in the tea room based on the day's theme and his guests. This attention to detail was much appreciated by his visitors. English explanations are available in all of the exhibition rooms.

Another attractive feature of the museum is the expansive Japanese garden, which is larger than the museum itself!

Statues and other works of art are displayed throughout the garden, and the seasonal flowers are a beautiful addition that you'll never grow tired of. Walk down the rolling garden to see koi fish (Japanese carp) swimming gracefully in a large pond.

With birds singing and leaves rustling in the wind, the garden is a peaceful hideaway within the busy metropolis.

Nezu Museum
Address: Tokyo, Minato, Minami-Aoyama 6-5-1 Google Map
Website: http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/index.html

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum: Enjoy Modern Art

Taro Okamoto (1911-1996) was one of Japan's most prominent artists in the 20th century. As a painter and a sculptor, his memorable works include the "Tower of the Sun" at Osaka's Expo '70 Commemorative Park and the "Myth of Tomorrow", a mural in Shibuya Station.

The legendary artist lived in Aoyama and his home has since been converted into the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum. Here, you can appreciate his works and purchase original souvenirs inspired by his art.

The highlight of the museum is the atelier where Okamoto created his artworks. It remains almost exactly the way it was during his lifetime. The paint splatters in the room also attest to the artist's passion.

You will find several unique sculptures in the backyard. Staying true to his words, "Art is an explosion," his works burst forth with color and have the effect of pulling you into his world. Photos are permitted so you can make the most of your visit.

Though a slight distance away, we also recommend the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art for self-professed art lovers.

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum
Address: Tokyo, Minato, Minami-Aoyama 6-1-19 Google Map
Website: http://www.taro-okamoto.or.jp/en/

Ota Memorial Museum of Art

Ota Memorial Museum of Art, located in Harajuku, is a museum dedicated to traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, with a vast collection of over 12,000 works. The museum regularly holds exhibitions showcasing ukiyo-e from masters such as Hokusai and Hiroshige.

Ota Memorial Museum of Art
Address: 1-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Meiji-Jingumae Station
Website: https://www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp/eng

UESHIMA MUSEUM

A contemporary art museum that opened in June 2024 in Shibuya, the Ueshima Museum is a must-visit for art lovers.

Located near the popular Cat Street and the former site of the British School in Tokyo, it offers easy access from both Shibuya and Harajuku.

The museum features over 650 works from global artists, focusing on the theme of "contemporaneity." The opening exhibition, running until March 2025, displayed diverse artworks across five floors, offering visitors a journey through various perspectives.

Don’t miss the recommended route from the 1st to the 5th floor, showcasing works by Hiroshi Sugimoto.

UESHIMA MUSEUM
Address: 1-21-18 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Access: 10 minutes on foot from Shibuya Station
Website: https://eng.ueshima-museum.com/

The Watarium Museum

The Watarium Museum is a private contemporary art museum, opened in 1990, and designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta. Known for its bold use of striped granite and concrete, the building is a landmark in the area.

Founded by Shizuko Watari, the museum has hosted exhibitions showcasing international artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.

The museum emphasizes global contemporary art while also highlighting Japanese cultural figures like Kumagusu Minakata and Tenshin Okakura. The Watarium has played a significant role in introducing contemporary art to Japan and supporting emerging local artists.

The Watarium Museum
Address: 3-7-6 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Access: 7 minutes on foot from Meiji-Jingumae Station
Website: http://www.watarium.co.jp/en/

3. Charming Cafes in the Back Alleys

Blue Bottle Coffee

Look for the sign with a blue bottle

For a quick break during your neighborhood stroll, we recommend Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama Cafe. Turn into an alley from Aoyama-dori Avenue and keep your eyes open for the discreet entrance to the cafe. Once you find the sign with a blue bottle, head to the second floor. There, you will be greeted with the fragrance of freshly brewed coffee.

There's no need to worry about ordering in Japanese because English-speaking baristas are present. Why not take a moment to enjoy the view of the trees outside the window with a fresh cup of coffee in hand?

Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama Cafe
Address: Tokyo, Minato, Minami-Aoyama 3-13-14 Google Map
Website: https://bluebottlecoffee.jp/

LOTUS

Lotus is said to be the forerunner of the cafe culture in Tokyo and has been attracting numerous people visiting the Aoyama area for more than 30 years.

The interior exudes a sophisticated atmosphere while the food is reasonably priced. WiFi and power can be used freely by customers, which makes it a convenient place for taking a break or working during your travels. What’s more, Lotus is open until 4:00 AM, so we recommend it as a night cafe also.

LOTUS
Address: 4-6-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Omotesando Station
Website: https://www.instagram.com/lotus_omotesando/

Nicolai Bergmann NOMU

Nicolai Bergmann NOMU is a cafe designed by the renowned flower artist, vibrant with flowers arranged in a clean, organic space with a bare cement finish.

The menu includes a sandwich set (1,600 yen), « Smørrebrød » traditional Danish open sandwich set (1,700 yen), a salad set (1,800 yen), which are great for a light meal. This cafe is a perfect place to visit for a short break while shopping in Aoyama. Enjoy a relaxing time where design and flowers are in harmony.

Nicolai Bergmann NOMU
Address: 5-7-2 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Omotesando Station
Website: https://nicolaibergmannnomu.com/en/

Bread, Espresso & (Aoyama)

Bread, Espresso & (Aoyama) is a popular bakery and cafe where you can enjoy excellent bread. The hard bread is especially appealing with a soft, chewy texture that you wouldn’t expect from its appearance.

You can also enjoy a cappuccino or coffee with delicious bread at the eat-in space. The recommended Currant bread is a square-shaped bread filled with small wild grapes and has a subtly sweet flavor. Experience the unique Japanese bakery culture at this quiet and relaxing space.

Bread, Espresso & (Aoyama)
Address: 3-14-8 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Omotesando Station
Website: https://www.bread-espresso.jp/shop/omotesando.html

CHACHANOMA

CHACHANOMA is a tearoom specializing in Japanese tea, especially sencha green tea, which you can enjoy brewed with the utmost care by experts who select high-quality tea leaves. Takeout is also available.

Chachanoma offers homemade sweets that pair perfectly with sencha and can recommend the ideal tea for each confection. You can also buy items like teapots and tea utensils to enhance your Japanese tea experience. It's a special place where the Japanese spirit can truly be felt.

CHACHANOMA
Address: 5-13-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Omotesando Station
Website: https://chachanoma.com/

Other Recommended Cafes

Terrace seating at crisscross

There are plenty of other cafes in the Aoyama area. Crisscross offers cafe-goers an open, inviting atmosphere. It opens at 8:00 and offers free refills of their morning coffee.

Other recommendations include Cafe Kitsune, with its bamboo fence entrance reminiscent of a Japanese teahouse, and Aoyama Flower Market Tea House, which is run by a flower shop surrounded by seasonal flowers.

If you are after desserts, the Japanese sweets company Toraya operates Toraya Cafe An Stand Kita-Aoyama. buik is known for its quiche and baked goods while APOC specializes in pancakes.

4. Restaurants in Aoyama

Seasonal kaiseki cuisine at Tagetsu. Picture courtesy of GMO Omakase JapanEatinerary

Tokyo's Aoyama district boasts many elegant and award-winning dining establishments.

For those looking to enjoy exceptional Japanese cuisine, we recommend two top choices: Sudachi, a three-time Michelin Guide facility offering chef-driven kappō cuisine that features seasonal ingredients and a contemporary touch; and Tagetsu, a winner of the Japan Restaurant Award that specializes in refined kaiseki cuisine.

For sushi, we recommend Sushi Masashi, owned by one of Tokyo's leading sushi masters, and Sushi Rizaki, which offers surprisingly reasonable omakase menus.

SAKEBARO Aoyama. Picture courtesy of GMO Omakase JapanEatinerary

SAKEBARO, a stylish bar, is an excellent choice for a cosy night out in the heart of Tokyo. The space features a clean, unadorned design, highlighted by a cubic tin counter and a self-playing tin piano. LED lighting illuminates the walls, setting a variety of moods, from deep-sea blue to monochrome gray and alluring red.

Haruka Murooka. Picture courtesy of GMO Omakase JapanEatinerary

At Haruka Murooka, "dessert"—typically the last item on a menu—is redefined as a full, dedicated course featuring only items crafted from the highest-grade ingredients.

Selected for the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026, this unique restaurant is led by Chef Murooka, a former restaurant pâtissier who personally sources seasonal fruits and vegetables directly from producers nationwide and prepares each course right before your eyes.

5. Shopping in Aoyama

Omotesando Hills

Omotesando Hills

Omotesando Hills is a shopping mall featuring the latest cutting-edge fashion brands in Japan. With over one hundred stores, there is no shortage of high-quality and unique products.

The six floors of the main building (from the third basement floor to the top three levels) are constructed with an atrium in the center and a spiral slope circling around a giant staircase. This mall is the perfect place to discover the latest fashion trends.

Omotesando Hills
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae 4-12-10 Google Map
Website: https://www.omotesandohills.com/en/

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku

Tokyu Plaza

If you head in the opposite direction from Aoyama (toward Harajuku), you will find Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku at the far end of Omotesando. This mall is a great place for fashionable clothes, beauty products, and cosmetics.

Right across the street is Tokyu Plaza Harajuku (Harakado), a complex that is home to fashion shops, dining facilities, and hubs for creatives.

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae 4-30-3 Google Map
Website: https://omohara.tokyu-plaza.com/en/

Aoyama Farmer's Market

If you visit Aoyama on the weekend, we recommend going to the Farmer's Market at UNU.

Held every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, farmers from all over Japan come to sell produce, accessories, and general items in front of the United Nations University.

Farmer's Market at UNU
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 5-53-70 (In front of United Nations University) Google Map
Website: http://farmersmarkets.jp/ (Japanese)

6. Grabbing a Quick Bite at Cat Street

Cat Street branches off Omotesando and serves as a roughly kilometer-long shortcut between Shibuya and Harajuku. The street is a hub of fashion, featuring unique apparel stores and thrift shops, and it's always populated with stylish, fashion-conscious people.

Lobster Rolls at Luke's Lobster

Lobster rolls (regular size)

If you spot a long line, it is likely for Luke's Lobster—a lobster roll franchise started in New York.

Its most popular item is the rolls filled with meat from Maine lobsters. The lobster meat is tender and the herbs provide a refreshing accent. A regular size lobster roll costs 980 yen (without tax).

Luke's Lobster Omotesando
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae 6-7-1 Google Map
Website: http://lukeslobster.jp/

Osaka Takoyaki

Green onion and mayo takoyaki at WaraTako

On Cat Street, you can savor one of Osaka's quintessential street food—takoyaki (octopus fried in a flour-based batter).

The most popular item at WaraTako is their green onion and mayo flavored takoyaki (550 yen with tax). Topped with green onions and a salt-based sauce, this is a delicious snack that will surely stimulate your appetite. The soft filling and mayonnaise will also melt in your mouth.

We recommend trying a variety of street food mainstays with your friends and family.

WaraTako Harajuku Omotesando
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 5-11-3 Google Map

7. Enjoy the City's Night Life at Blue Note Tokyo

If you wish to sample the Tokyo nightlife in Aoyama, we recommend visiting Blue Note Tokyo: a jazz club where musicians from around the world have been performing since 1988.

While the club mainly features jazz artists, you can enjoy blues and R&B performances as well. Order some drinks and food as you treat your ears to music from some of the best jazz musicians.

You can purchase tickets online or by phone. Popular performances sell out quickly, so make sure to check the schedule before planning your visit.

Blue Note Tokyo
Address: Tokyo, Minato, Minami-Aoyama 6-3-16 Google Map
Website: http://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp/ (Japanese)

8. Watch Games at Japan's Famous Stadiums

Jingu Stadium

Aoyama is beloved by baseball and rugby fans alike. Both Jingu Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium are five-minute walks from Gaiemmae Station along the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.

Jingu Stadium is home to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team Tokyo Yakult Swallows. However, both professional and student games are held here year-round. The critically acclaimed author Haruki Murakami has been a long-time fan of the Swallows, even writing in his memoirs that he made the decision to become an author at one of their home games.

One of the most famous rugby stadiums in Japan, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium hosts countless matches. The short distance between the field and the spectators' seats creates an incredible sense of immersion.

Jingu Stadium (Meiji Jingu Stadium)
Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kasumigaoka 3-1 Google Map
Website: http://www.jingu-stadium.com/english/

Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
Address: Tokyo, Minato, Kita-Aoyama 2-8-35 Google Map
Japan Rugby Football Union Website: http://en.rugby-japan.jp/

9. Gifts and Souvenirs

Oriental Bazaar

Oriental Bazaar

A popular store to purchase souvenirs is the Oriental Bazaar in Omotesando. You will find T-shirts, general goods, and books on the basement floor.

The first floor has tableware and Japanese trinkets while the second floor sells crafts, furniture, and kimonos*. From knick-knacks to luxury goods, the store offers a wide array of Japanese gifts.

Oriental Bazaar
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae 5-19-13 Google Map
Website: http://www.orientalbazaar.co.jp/en/index.html

Kiddy Land Harajuku

Kiddy Land Harajuku

If you are looking for figurines, stop by Kiddy Land Harajuku. From Hello Kitty to Pokemon to Sailor Moon, the store has a variety of merchandise in stock from different anime and video games.

Kiddy Land Harajuku
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae 6-1-9 Google Map
Website: https://www.kiddyland.co.jp/harajuku/

10. Hotels in Aoyama

Hotels are difficult to come by in the Aoyama-Omotesando area. We recommend finding a place to stay in Shibuya, Roppongi, or the nearby Akasaka area.

Access to Aoyama

Omotesando Station

The closest station to Aoyama is the Tokyo Metro's Omotesando Station.

From Shibuya, Omotesando Station is a two-minute ride on either the Ginza or Hanzomon Line. From Asakusa, it is a half-hour ride on the Ginza Line.

Aoyama is a 15-minute walk from Harajuku Station. It is ten minutes on foot from Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) Station, which is directly accessible from Ikebukuro.

Gaiemmae Station is the most convenient when visiting Jingu Stadium, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, or the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art.

Enjoy Exploring Aoyama

On a side note before closing, Aoyama Cemetery is famous for its cherry blossom trees. This site houses the graves of many politicians, kabuki actors, and authors. Also buried here is the dog Hachiko, whose statue has become a famous landmark of Shibuya Station.

If you visit Tokyo in early April, stop by this tranquil place to enjoy its pathways awash in pink blooms.

Full of lush greenery, Aoyama is the ideal location to take a nice walk. We recommend taking your time to explore this charming area taking in the surrounding nature during your stroll.