Bunny's Guide to Tokyo
"I'm an artist and illustrator from the UK who moved to Tokyo 8 years ago, and I'm still here.
I think i'm in love with this city, everyday it makes me happy in some small way and even after all these years there are still endless things to discover, learn and enjoy. Tokyo is totally dreamy.
My work is heavily inspired by my interests and obsessions along with the real life world around me, all mixed up and filtered through my imagination. There is such incredibly diverse array of subcultures and neighbourhoods here that if often doesn't feel like the real world at all.
Usually when people ask me for recommendations of what to do in Tokyo I just reply that my specialist knowledge is limited to "pro wrestling, otaku culture and vegetarian restaurants", the truth is there's just too many recommendations to list, but here are five of my universal favourites♡ - Bunny Bissoux"
Nakano Broadway / 中野ブロードウェイ
A holy place for otaku, collectors, hobbyists and anyone who enjoys maximalist aesthetics. This wonderland of subcultures houses 5 floors of seemingly never-ending aisles bursting with specialist stores and cabinets selling new and secondhand items. From from anime merch, cosplay and idol goods to antiques, train sets and sex toys; ‘something for everyone’ would be an understatement.
Opening Times - 11:00 ~ 20:00 (individual stores times vary)
Nakano 5-52-15, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
〒164-001 東京都中野区中野５丁目５２
Game Centres / ゲーム センター
No trip to Tokyo would be complete with immersing yourself in the glowing lights and cacophony of hyper pop sounds emitting from the game centre. Virtual horse racing and zombie idol hunting aside, challenge the wide array of UFO catchers (the next generation of claw machines) and step into the magical プリクラ (‘purikura’) photo booths to capture an essential souvenir.
Opening Times - usually open from 10:00 ~ 23:00
Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, nearby most major train stations
Coffee Seibu / 珈琲西武
Founded in 1964 and hidden away in the heart of Shinjuku this retro gem awaits you with chintz carpet, red velvet sofa seats, a stained glass canopy and some of the most ridiculous ice cream sundaes you’ll ever see. Be warned that the non-smoking third floor is slightly less photogenic but your parfait will still look just as good. Look for the plastic food display outside and you’ll know you have the right place.
Opening Times - 07:30 ~ 23:30
Shinjuku 3-34-9, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0002
〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿3-34-9 メトロビル2・3F
http://metro-net.co.jp/business/food/coffee_seibu/
Instagram #coffeeseibu
Calm & Punk Gallery
This gallery space is run by the creative platform Gas as Interface (which evolved from the cult GASBOOK series established in the mid 90s) and has a well deserved reputation for unique and innovative exhibitions, installations and events. Showcasing the work of both international and Japanese contemporary creators, artists, illustrators, designers and more - whatever is currently on display, it’s unlikely to disappoint. (When we visited we caught the collaborative exhibition ‘Memories from the emptied out field’ by British artist Leon Saddler and American artist Noel Freibert ) !
Opening Times - 12:00~19:00 / Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Asai bldg, Nishi Azabu 1-15-15, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0071
〒106-0031 東京都港区西麻布1-15-15 浅井ビル1F
Jimbocho / 神保町
Known as ‘used book town’ this relatively peaceful area is home to around 180 stores specialising in second hand books, magazines, comics, movie posters, postcards and all kinds of vintage printed ephemera. You don’t need to read Japanese to enjoy an afternoon exploring here with mountains of paperbacks overflowing onto the streets and unknown treasures stacked in every corner.
Opening Times - most stores open from 11:00~19:00
Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
〒101-0051 東京都千代田区神田神保町
