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NEIGHBORHOOD

Tokyo Guide East Tokyo —Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Kuramae, Bakurocho Area

East Tokyo has long been a magnet for makers and artisans. Though part of the capital’s core, it still thrives as a city of craft, where old and new culture blend with ease. Visitors from Japan and abroad are drawn to its nostalgic riverside views, workshops alive with handwork, and shops housed in repurposed factories and warehouses. History lingers in the scenery, carrying countless stories. Here, past and present meet gently, and each walk through the streets offers small encounters and quiet discoveries.

City Signatures Culinary Craft Map

City Signatures

Scenes by the Water

Willows swaying in the wind, boats moving across the surface, the voices of children playing in sparkling spray. Nature shifting with the riverside, and the lives of people beside it, are sights that have marked this area since the Edo period. As you walk along the river, giving yourself to the breeze that crosses the water, the sudden scent it carries, and the sounds that reach your ears, you feel time moving more gently than in daily life.

For centuries, the rivers running toward Tokyo Bay have shaped the city’s daily rhythm and culture.

Renovation

In streets where the ambiance of old Tokyo lingers, renovated buildings stand here and there, preserving their former character while welcoming new life. Factories and warehouses with corrugated iron roofs, wide doors, and sturdy wooden pillars are reborn as distinctive shops and cafés. Within these spaces, where a raw simplicity carries a hint of nostalgia, the past and present of the neighborhood overlap in quiet harmony.

Timeworn yet renewed, these buildings whisper the quiet history of the city.

Museums Opening onto Parks

Set out in search of art, and the creative spirit rooted in the city makes wandering its streets all the more enjoyable. From small galleries to large museums, each is embraced by leafy parks that give this area its distinctive scenery. Sit on a bench and linger in the afterglow of what you have seen, and even in the midst of the metropolis you feel a harmony with nature and spend a moment at ease.

With each passing season, buildings and the nature around them unfold in fresh and subtle ways.

Craft Culture

Another draw of this area is the spirit of craftsmanship passed down through generations. Not only long-established artisans but also young creators walk the streets. Shops and works reveal the careful, delicate handwork of the maestros. In these encounters you discover new facets of craftsmanship, the very force that sustains the richness of everyday life in Japan.

  • Tools and craft hint at the shop's story.

    Culinary

    Boulangerie S. Igarashi

    A bakery known for its distinctive breads made with domestic wheat and natural yeast. Inside, the aroma of toasted grains fills the air, and every loaf reflects chef Sota Igarashi’s pursuit of exciting, delightful flavors. From buttery croissants to savory breads meant for pairing with wine, seasonal ingredients and playful combinations bring a bite of surprise and discovery in every mouthful.

    Grab some bread and let the nearby park turn your walk into a discovery.

    the Blind Donkey

    This restaurant delivers seasonal ingredients from producers across Japan, each chosen with care and intention. Dishes bring out the color, flavor, shape, and texture of the ingredients, simple yet rich in depth. With a view of the nostalgic downtown streets outside, diners can savor meals that engage all the senses while feeling the story behind each producer.

    Messages from farmers at the entrance makes parting feel a little sweeter.

    bouquet

    Tucked in a corner of the textile district, this café and bistro puts freshly baked bread at the center. Just a few minutes’ walk away, its sister shop, BEAVER BREAD, provides breads transformed with seasonal ingredients and inventive touches. Surrounded by art and antique furniture, the space lets you savor the many moods of bread from morning through evening.

    Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wholesale district, time drifts peacefully here.

    Kameya Yamato

    A long-established wagashi shop dating back to the Edo period, it even graces the pages of the historic shopping guide Edo Kaimono Hitori Annai and has long been beloved by locals. Mochi pounded on stone mills becomes chewy, textured dumplings, while handmade sweets crafted by generations of artisans are perfect for enjoying on a stroll or giving as a gift.

    Seasonal hints come from the wagashi on the shelves.

    Craft

    Doguya Nobori

    This shop for daily goods and tools began when carefully selected tableware and small items from a café proved popular enough to sell. Today it offers refined products for everyday living, from dishes and household items to apparel and cleaning tools. Each item is chosen by staff based on whether it sparks joy in use, offering beauty that invites slow, thoughtful appreciation and adds a subtle touch of charm to daily life.

    The search for everyday tools brings its own small discoveries.

    The interior still echoes its days as an auto repair shop, blending seamlessly into the streetscape.

    Kakimori

    Located in Kuramae neighborhood among old factories and wholesalers, this stationery shop makes writing a joy. You can create a one-of-a-kind notebook or custom ink, and find carefully selected writing tools from Japan and abroad. Paper cut at nearby workshops and hardware crafted by local artisans give each item a special charm that makes you want to keep it close for years.

    Bathed in natural light and the scent of coffee, the space glows with handcrafted charm.

    Allpress Espresso Tokyo Roastery & Cafe

    A roastery and cafe from New Zealand where you can enjoy specialty coffee. The interior, restored using reclaimed wood from a dismantled warehouse, creates a warm and open space with the roasting area fully integrated. Each cup, served in drippers and mugs made by Arita porcelain artisans, spreads a carefully brewed aroma and a pleasant, lingering finish.

    Beyond bicycles, a selection of apparel and goods adds little sparks of change to everyday life.

    tokyobike tokyo

    This shop connects people and the city through bicycles. Housed in a renovated 60-year-old warehouse, the space evokes the openness of Spain’s plazas, inviting visitors to sit and linger. Repairs and maintenance are available, and with the convenient rental bike service, you can explore Tokyo freely and at your own pace.

    Map

    Explore more of KINTO's recommended spots in the area

    LOCAL FAVORITES
    • Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo A public museum bathed in light and stone.
    • Kiba Park An urban forest park where water and greenery merge.
    • Kiba Water Park A park with waterside scenery that retains the charm of old Edo, offering a peaceful escape.
    • Kiyosumi Park / Kiyosumi Garden A tranquil Japanese garden that offers a sense of history and serenity dating back to the Meiji era.
    • ondo gallery A gallery housed in a renovated private home, blending seamlessly into everyday life.
    • Tomioka Hachiman Shrine Known as "Fukagawa’s Hachiman," this shrine has been cherished by locals since the Edo period.
    • Babaghuri Kiyosumi Main Branch Select shop featuring items that combine natural materials with artisan craftsmanship.
    • tokyobike tokyo A shop that connects people and the city through bicycles.
    • THE PLANT SOCIETY TOKYO FLAGSHIP Plant shop from Melbourne that brings greenery into everyday life.
    • Smoke Books Kiyosumi Shirakawa Used bookstore where you can discover quirky, captivating books.
    • Rikashitsu A shop that playfully brings laboratory tools into everyday life.
    • ALL General store offering daily goods designed for both beauty and usability.
    • Doguya Nobori A shop for everyday tools, carefully selected for their ability to spark joy in use.
    • Kakimori Stationery shop offering tools that expand the joy of writing.
    • Ambika Shop Kuramae Indian grocery store filled with exotic aromas of spices.
    • Regalo Papiro Tokyo Kuramae Specialty shop for wrapping paper and stationery, designed to delight both as a gift and for your own use.
    • mt lab. Specialty shop for masking tape, brimming with color and creativity.
    • HERENESS TOKYO Sportswear brand creating comfort from natural and recycled materials.
    • Komiya Shoten A long-established umbrella maker offering handcrafted umbrellas that make rainy days something to look forward to.
    • minä perhonen elävä Ⅰ A shop where you can find special ingredients to enrich your daily table.
    • minä perhonen elävä Ⅱ Lifestyle shop filled with furniture, tableware, and other items designed to be cherished and loved for years.
    • the Blind Donkey Eatery where you can savor both seasonal ingredients and the stories of their producers.
    • Kiyosumi Shirakawa Fujimaru Winery Tokyo winery with an attached restaurant, offering freshly made wine to taste.
    • Fakalò pizza gallery Pizzeria tucked in a corner of downtown, serving chewy, flavorful pizzas.
    • Yuwaeru A wholesome eatery centered on aged brown rice, gentle on both body and environment.
    • McLean-OLD FASHIONED DINER- Burger joint that evokes the charm of America’s good old days.
    • bouquet Café and bistro where you can enjoy the many moods of freshly baked bread.
    • Allpress Espresso Tokyo Roastery & Cafe Roastery with an attached cafe, wrapped in the warmth of wood.
    • Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyosumi Shirakawa Flagship Cafe The flagship cafe of the specialty coffee brand that shaped the city’s coffee scene.
    • The Cream of the Crop Coffee Hand-drip coffee enjoyed in a space restored from a wooden warehouse, rich in depth and aroma.
    • Boulangerie S. Igarashi A bakery that delights with playful combinations of ingredients.
    • Farm to Me Bakery & Shop Bakery run by a sugar manufacturer, offering breads that connect ingredients and reflect cycles of production.
    • B² (B Squared) Shop combining a bakery and roastery, where you can enjoy freshly baked bread alongside freshly ground coffee.
    • TEAPOND Kiyosumi Shirakawa Tea shop offering leaves from around the world to enrich your daily tea time.
    • Imadeya Kiyosumi Shirakawa Neighborhood liquor store where you can also enjoy drinks on the spot, deeply rooted in the community.
    • CAN-PANY Small bottling factory where you can taste freshly made craft drinks.
    • Cheese no Koe Specialty shop for natural Hokkaido cheeses, with a cheese concierge sharing the makers’ stories.
    • Sugihara Tofu Tofu shop making daily hand-crafted tofu from domestic soybeans and natural coagulants, using traditional methods.
    • LUCENT COFFEE Coffee shop specializing in light roasts that bring out the beans’ natural acidity and aroma.
    • Kashiya Shinonome Baked sweets shop offering simple treats that fit into everyday life.
    • Shinonome Bakery Bakery lined with delicate laminated dough breads, as beautiful as jewels.
    • TRASPARENTE La Cartolina Charming shop with colorful breads and cakes, crafted by a chef trained in Italy.
    • Dandelion Chocolate Factory & Cafe Kuramae A factory shop making craft chocolate from single-origin cacao beans.
    • Coffee Wrights Kuramae Roastery & Cafe Small space housing a coffee roastery with in-house roasting.
    • Atomiyosowaka Kuramae A shop and cafe offering vegan, gluten-free rice flour sweets.
    • WESTSIDE COFFEE KURAMAE Cozy specialty coffee shop offering house-roasted light to medium roasts.
    • Kabuki Cafe centered on pour-over coffee, with a chocolate workshop inside
    • norm tea house A tea house in a residential area showcasing the appeal of Japanese tea beyond just sencha.
    • Donut Mori Kuramae Fluffy, chewy donuts infused with elements of French pastry.
    • Kameya Yamato Long-established wagashi store from the Edo period, alive with artisan skill.
    • Beaver Bread Beloved local institution known for its distinctive breads.
    • BERTH COFFEE Coffee shop serving brews that honor connections with the producers.
    • Bridge COFFEE & ICECREAM Cafe in a modernized classic building offering handmade ice cream and coffee.
    • abno A cozy space with two faces: coffee and food pairings by day, a bar by night.

    Editorial support: PAPERSKY

    Information as of October, 2025