Over the past few years, the culture-packed Shimokitazawa district has seen an influx of pocket-sized plazas and restaurant hubs open their doors. Developments such as Mikan Shimokita, taking over a concrete-clad space under the railroad tracks, and the sleek Reload complex bring some of the area’s best fashion boutiques, bars and dining spots together under one roof.

Among the more noteworthy arrivals is Bonus Track, a mixed-use complex designed by Tokyo-based Tsubame Architects. Circling a tree-shaded courtyard in the heart of the district, the project’s timber-framed buildings house a wildly diverse lineup of independent businesses. Standouts include a pint-sized cafe and bookstore selling nothing but biographies (think Peter Beard, Albert Einstein, and Eric Hoffer, plus empty diaries for when inspiration strikes), a Chinese-American vegan restaurant designed like an old-school diner, and a record store with an eclectic collection of jazz, punk, and soul. Make sure to drop into Hakko Department for unique souvenirs: the timber frames of this health-minded grocery store are packed with fermented foodstuffs (hakko is Japanese for fermentation) that include bottles of cloudy sake, artisanal miso paste and koji starter kits—all sold in gift-ready packaging. —Chris Schalkx

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2-36-15 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Bonus Track: Wildly Diverse

Tokyo Attractions

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